Charles Tillman: 'I'll Always Be A Bear'
By Dan Durkin--
(CBS) Considering his upbringing as a military brat, it was unusual for Charles Tillman to have grown 12 year-roots in one place.
Coincidentally, he was born in Chicago, but being the son of a sergeant in the United States Army, he spent time in Germany and attended 11 different schools before graduating from Copperas Cove High School in Texas.
It all came full circle for Tillman when the Bears selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette. He would go on to play 12 memorable seasons in Chicago, during which he established himself as the best defensive back in team history.
Fueled by his desire to win a championship, the next chapter of Tillman's life takes him to Charlotte, where he'll play for his former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and former defensive backs coach Steve Wilks as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Rivera in particular was the motivating force behind Tillman choosing the Panthers in free agency.
"I like coach Rivera," Tillman said in an interview on the Laurence Holmes Show on Wednesday evening. "I loved him when he was in Chicago, his leadership qualities, his style of coaching. He's a defensive guy, a former player. Just everything about him. I like the team. It felt like the right fit for me. It's a little weird, sad to leave. (But) it's a business."
Listening to the inflection of Tillman's voice during his interview, the sadness was apparent. Even though he won't have the orange "C" decal on the side of his helmet this fall, he's not letting go.
"You could say, I'll always be a Bear," Tillman said. "I think that's fair to say, (given) 12 years in one uniform."
Tillman was a force on the field who single-handedly changed the outcomes of several games in his career. He ranks first in team history in forced fumbles (42), first in interceptions returned for a touchdown (eight) and third in interceptions (36).
Tillman has made many fond memories on and off of the field during his time in Chicago.
"It's been amazing, man," he said. "All four of my kids were born there. I bought my first house there. I have a lot of firsts in Chicago. Chicago will continue to be my home. The fans have been great in Chicago."
While sidelined during the 2014 season with a ruptured triceps, Tillman had a chance to become a fan for the first time in his career, which gave him a new perspective on what the game means to the faithful fans who fill stadiums every week and live and die with their favorite team.
"This last stretch, I got to tailgate," Tillman said. "It really made me open my eyes to see how much fans put into, not just Chicago fans, but fans in general. I got a chance to tailgate. They're waking up at five o'clock in the morning and they have vehicles dedicated, it's more than just a game to them. Meeting all these fans who had season tickets to tailgating for the football season. I got a chance to eat some briskets and try these homemade barbecue sauces, pulled pork and the chicken. You're just hanging out with these fans.
"I get it now, it's not just a game. It's a little bit more than a game to these people, these fans. I can respect that. It made me kind of see where they're coming from at times when we lose and how they feel."
Tillman will remain active in the Chicago community. He's teamed up with Jarrett Payton and Jerry Azumah to organize a "Monsters of the 5K/10K" race that will benefit his Cornerstone Foundation as well as Payton and Azumah's foundation.
Tillman was and remains a stand-up guy who represented the Bears well in press conferences, in postgame locker room interviews and frequently on the airwaves of 670 The Score. He's grateful of everything Chicago has done for him, and it's changed his life for the better.
"Chicago will always be my home," Tillman said. "Appreciate all you've done and continue to do for me. I've really appreciated the warm welcomes, you guys have been amazing for 12-plus years. I really appreciate everything you guys have done. I love you guys."
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.