House passes bill to rename San Jose VA clinic after late NFL star, veteran Pat Tillman

San Jose Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic may be renamed in honor of Bay Area native Pat Tillman — a former NFL player and U.S. Army veteran who died while serving in Afghanistan.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill to rename the clinic in South San Jose’s Silver Creek area to the Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic. Monterey Bay lawmaker Jimmy Panetta – who represents parts of Santa Clara County – and Southern California Rep. Ken Calvert spearheaded the pending legislation.

Tillman, a Bay Area native from South San Jose, was a starting safety for the Arizona Cardinals, and played for four seasons before walking away from a multimillion-dollar NFL contract to enlist in the U.S. Army following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He was killed in action in southeastern Afghanistan in 2004.

“Renaming the San Jose VA clinic after Corporal Pat Tillman is about carrying on his legacy of patriotism and passion, as well as the progress we must make as a nation,” Panetta said on the house floor earlier this month . “Tillman’s service, his ultimate sacrifice, and commitment to our country embodies the very spirit of America.”

He and his younger brother, Kevin, joined the army together, both serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Following his death, his family established the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides college scholarships to military veterans, current service members, and their spouses. The organization hosts “Pat’s Run,” an annual 4.2-mile race in Tempe, Arizona, that draws tens of thousands of participants each spring.

VA clinics provide outpatient medical and mental health services to eligible veterans and are the primary contact point for veterans’ health needs apart from VA hospitals.

Panetta said every member of California’s congressional delegation co-sponsored the bill, while Sen. Adam Schiff has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Pat did nothing half-baked, did everything with a full heart, and represented the very best of our country in academics, athletics, and in service to the United States of America,” Panetta said. “In this day of division and dysfunction, we must always be reminded of the service and sacrifice for our great nation that Corporal Tillman exemplified.”

One of three brothers, Tillman was born in Fremont but grew up in San Jose’s Almaden Valley. The stadium at Leland High School, his alma mater, now bears his name.

“Pat Tillman answered the call of his country in the wake of September 11th, exchanging his Arizona Cardinals uniform for an Army Ranger uniform,” said Calvert. “His extraordinary sacrifice embodies the patriotism that inspires so many to serve.”