Charles Tillman On His Playing Future: 'Stay Tuned' Because 'Rehab Ain't Nothing'
(CBS) Free-agent cornerback and former Bears standout Charles Tillman hasn't made up his mind on whether he'll return for his 14th NFL season.
The 35-year-old Tillman's currently rehabbing a torn ACL that he suffered in the Panthers' regular-season finale in 2015 and which forced him to miss Carolina's run to the Super Bowl. He started 12 games for the Panthers last season, his first outside of Chicago, where Tillman ranks first in Bears history in forced fumbles (42), first in interceptions returned for a touchdown (eight) and third in interceptions (36).
"You'll have to stay tuned and find out," Tillman said of his future in an interview with Laurence Holmes on 670 The Score on Wednesday evening. "We'll see."
While his injury is serious, Tillman maintained an upbeat attitude, saying, "Right now, my season is just rehab -- that's the season I'm in right now."
"You know what?" Tillman said. "Rehab ain't nothing. I went overseas, so I went on an eight-day trip. I went to seven countries in eight days.
"I saw our military, our soldiers, our sailors, our marines -- yeah, my rehab ain't nothing compared to what these cats go through. My rehab is easy."
That said, if stepping away from the game is what's in the cards, Tillman's content with that too.
"I'm so much more than football," said Tillman, who's well-known for his philanthropic work. "I'm Charles Tillman, who happens to be good at football. I'm not a football player who happens to be Charles Tillman."
Listen to Tillman's full interview below. He also reflects on his experience traveling overseas to meet military members and more.