TEMPE, Ariz. - A public memorial service has been scheduled Monday in California for former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan, the team said.
The afternoon service will be held at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden.
The Tillman family on Friday also announced the creation of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
"Pat lived his life dedicated to helping others," Tillman's brother-in-law, Alex Garwood, said in a statement issued through the team. "This foundation will continue his legacy."
Tillman, who walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army in 2002, was killed April 22 in an ambush near the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Although Tillman never publicly offered reasons for his decision, several friends have said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks affected him deeply.
He was the first NFL player killed in combat since Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Bob Kalsu died in the Vietnam War in July 1970. Nineteen NFL players were killed in World War II.
The Army said this week that Tillman had been promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal.
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