Charles Tillman played in the Tampa-2 defense for most of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears. It is how he became the greatest cornerback in franchise history and someone that deserves Hall of Fame consideration. So when it comes to knowledge on how to thrive in this defense, few players have more to offer. That is why head coach Matt Eberflus asked Tillman to speak with the team before training camp.
His speech to the locker room was unsurprisingly great. He talked about how players must learn that the work they put in during college isn’t close to enough now. The NFL is a different animal. They must be prepared to sacrifice so much more. While doing what is best for the team is paramount, Tillman also knows how players really think. That is why the advice he offered after the speech was nothing short of brilliant. He told Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune what it was.
“This ball is worth a lot of money,” Tillman recalled in a conversation with the Tribune. “There are 22 people on the field and there’s one football. And if you can somehow make this football come out of the other guy’s hand or you can get this football a lot, it will make you rich. And it will win you a lot of games. More importantly, it will get you the respect around the league for the kind of player you are.”
Charles Tillman knows how players think.
Even though football is a team sport, there is still an element of selfishness involved. Winning championships is important, but that isn’t the only thing they’re concerned about. Most view football as a job, a way to make a living. Money is a motivating factor for so many. Then there is the matter of respect. Nobody enters the NFL content with being the 10th or 11th best anything. They want to be #1. The best way to earn that spot for defensive players is through big plays. Big plays involve taking the football away.
Charles Tillman didn’t earn his legacy by being the NFL’s best cover corner. He did it by forcing turnovers. His 38 interceptions and 44 forced fumbles rank him among the best ever to play his position. The “Peanut Punch” style is still used today as the best method to force fumbles. It also earned him over $49 million in his career. So yeah, he’s living proof. Jaylon Johnson can talk about his coverage all he likes. If he wants more respect, he better start taking it away. The same goes for Roquan Smith.
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Peanut Tillman is very smart. Imagine a complete goof ball like Nagy never permitting these greats to talk. Reminds me of a comment LaGooso (Tony) made early in the season, “Pete Rose and Ty Cobb couldn’t play baseball todsy.” Brain dementia can offer no better sign than that.
Moo
HOF
Peanut Tillman belongs in the Hall of Fame…….yesterday!
Charles Tillman was a great football player and a great human being, wonderful to watch him on the Bears for all those years.