Emma: Charles Tillman Leaves Lasting Bears Legacy
Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST (CBS) -- Long before the "Peanut Punch" came to existence and a Bears great was born, there was a 22-year-old fighting a future Hall of Famer.
During a mid-December game in his rookie season in 2003, fresh-faced cornerback Charles Tillman was matched up with receiver Randy Moss, with the Bears looking to seal a win against the Vikings. The game was on the line in the fourth quarter when Daunte Culpepper threw a perfect strike to the end zone.
Moss jumped higher, reached higher and had the go-ahead touchdown in his hands. Tillman simply ripped it away and won the game. In a way, that defines Tillman, who officially retired as a Bear on Friday following a 13-year NFL career, the first 12 of which were spent in Chicago.
Tillman wasn't the fastest or strongest corrnerback ever. His trademark "Peanut Punch" was created because he simply wasn't big or powerful enough to truck the ball carrier and force a fumble. He's likely to join the Hall of Very Good as opposed to the Hall of Fame in Canton, but he's at peace with everything for a simple reason.
He left it all on the field.
"For 12 seasons," Bears chairman George McCaskey said, "he made lives miserable to Bears opponents."
Friday marked the official end for Tillman. He wanted to show up at Halas Hall, sign the one-day contract as a formality, say hi to McCaskey and head home. Instead, "The Boss," his wife, nudged him into a more formal honor in Lake Forest.
It means the world to McCaskey having Tillman back in the organization's graces after one season with the Carolina Panthers.
"Welcome back home," McCaskey said to Tillman as he welcomed him to the stage.
Tillman came to Chicago in 2003 as a kid from Louisiana-Lafayette with something to prove. He played with that proverbial chip on his shoulder at all times. It showed in those matchups against Moss and Lions star Calvin Johnson.
Today, Tillman is a retired 35-year-old husband and father of four. In the eyes of McCaskey, the keeper of his family's football franchise, Tillman is a legend.
"I'm just glad to have my name associated with greatness," Tillman said, looking back on his career.
Naturally, Tillman was comfortable back at Halas Hall. He joked with reporters and spoke with nostalgia, remembering that game with Moss and a 2014 game in which he was injured and joined fans in the tailgate lot for beer and brisket.
Plenty of names were mentioned by Tillman. Not just the big ones like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Mike Brown, Tommie Harris and Julius Peppers, but the forgotten ones too, like Steve Wilks, Jon Hoke, Perry Fewell and Vance Bedford.
The name of Dwayne Joseph, a former Bears player development director, brought back important memories. Tillman credits him for helping establish a foundation on which he built a lasting legacy.
"You guys literally saw me grow up from this young, barely 22-year-old from Louisiana-Lafayette," Tillman said. "You saw me turn into a man in front of your own eyes."
Tillman came to the Bears with everything to prove. It was former Bears scout Chris Ballard -- runner-up to Ryan Pace for the Bears' general manager opening in 2015 -- who fought for the team to draft Tillman in the second round in 2003. Many believed he wasn't worthy of that high pick.
During his 12 seasons with the Bears, Tillman proved doubters wrong. He amassed 38 interceptions and 44 forced fumbles, making him the only player in NFL history with 35 interceptions and 40 forced fumbles. Tillman couldn't out-jump Moss or Megatron, but he could out-scrap them. You better believe Moss didn't know much about Tillman before that ball was ripped away to win the game.
Tillman's football legacy is complete, and he will be remembered as arguably the greatest Bears cornerback of all time. His legacy as a humanitarian is just beginning. Tillman's Cornerstone Foundation states that it has impacted the lives of a million children in need.
"The man you see today," Tillman said, "I didn't do this all by myself."
Greatness followed with Tillman in a Bears uniform. His legacy with the Bears was finalized on Friday at Halas Hall, then he walked off to the next chaper of his life as a full-time father.
The 22-year-old who fought a future Hall of Famer became something special.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
