Charles Tillman

This article is about American football player Charles Tillman. For the pioneer of southern gospel music, see Charles Davis Tillman.

Charles Tillman

No. 33     Chicago Bears
Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1981-02-23) February 23, 1981
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
College: Louisiana-Lafayette
NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35
Debuted in 2003 for the Chicago Bears
Career history
Chicago Bears (2003–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2011) Ed Block Courage Award (2009)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2012
Tackles 777 Sacks 3.0 INTs 32 Forced fumbles 36 Stats at NFL.com

Charles "Peanut" Tillman (born February 23, 1981) is an American football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Early years

Tillman was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent a majority of his youth traveling around the world. His father, Donald Tillman Jr, a sergeant in the United States Army, was frequently stationed in different locations, ranging from United States to Germany.

Tillman attended eleven different schools during his youth, but eventually graduated from Copperas Cove High School in Texas. During his time at the school, Tillman was a two-time All-District 8-5A and all-area team selection. The Austin American-Statesman and All-State Class 5A honorable mention named him to the Super Cen-Tex team.

He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He started for all four years as a left cornerback.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Tillman was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. The Chicago Bears selected Tillman in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft, making him the draft’s 35th overall pick. He became a starter and recorded 83 tackles and four interceptions during his first year with the Bears. However, an injury during his sophomore year temporarily grounded his career. Tillman rebounded in his third year, recording 93 tackles and five interceptions. His efforts helped the Bears establish the league's best defense in 2005.

In 2006, Tillman was the Bears’ leading tackler among defensive backs, recording eighty tackles. He also intercepted five passes (tying for a team high with Ricky Manning Jr) and forced one fumble. One of the low notes for his season came when he missed the team’s final games due to a back injury. Tillman was involved in a notable incident with Plaxico Burress before a prime-time game against the New York Giants. Days before the game, Giant's receiver Plaxico Burress claimed that the Bears' secondary was "average" and "very beatable". Tillman responded by holding Burress to only eleven yards and even intercepting a pass during the game. Many Bears' fans believe that Tillman should have been voted to the 2007 Pro Bowl, as he recorded more interceptions and tackles than DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Barber.

The Bears signed Tillman to a six-year deal on July 24, 2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was nominated as finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes players who have performed extensive charity work.

On November 22, 2009, during a Sunday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tillman forced three fumbles in one game, two of which were recovered by the Bears.

Tillman (bottom right) and Lance Briggs chase after Seattle Seahawks receiver Nate Burleson

During the 2009 season, Tillman recorded two interceptions, including one that was returned for a defensive touchdown. He recorded six forced fumbles, the second most in the League. During a Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 28, 2009, Tillman collided with Bears safety Craig Steltz while attempting to tackle Visanthe Shiancoe. The impact of the collision cracked some of Tillman's ribs and bruised one of his lungs. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, and released two days later. After the 2011 NFL season, Tillman was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

In Week 5 of the 2012 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tillman passed free safety Mike Brown by setting the Bears franchise record for the most defensive touchdowns in a career with 8 when he returned a Blaine Gabbert interception for a touchdown. Tillman is tied with Donnell Woolford for the most interceptions by a cornerback in team history, trailing only safeties Gary Fencik and Richie Petitbon. He also has forced 36 fumbles, which is the most by a defensive back in the league since 2003.

On November 4, 2012, Tillman forced four fumbles against the Tennessee Titans offense, the most forced fumbles in a game by a single player in league history since the stat began being tracked in 1991.

Personal life

Tillman often makes appearances on Fox Chicago Sports shows. Many followers of the network may be familiar with his comical antics and segments. He also organizes, runs, and advocates numerous charitable functions. Tillman's Aunt Renee nicknamed him "Peanut", since his body resembled the shape of a peanut during infancy. Fellow defensive back Mike Brown spread the nickname after meeting Tillman during his rookie year. He and his wife, Jackie, have three daughters and a son. In November 2012, Tillman stated that he may miss the Week 10 game against the Houston Texans for his child's birth; Tillman eventually announced that he will play. On November 13, Tillman and his wife had a third daughter. Tillman's Cornerstone Foundation mission is to help improve the lives of critically and chronically ill children throughout Chicago. Tillman created the foundation after his second-youngest daughter was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.

External links

• Chicago Bears bio
• Charles Tillman's Cornerstone Foundation Website