Tillman: 'Jealous' Of What The Blackhawks Did
(CBS) While most of the city of Chicago was filled with inexplicable joy following the Blackhawks second Stanley Cup Final victory in four seasons, Bears cornerback Charles Tillman was filled with a different emotion.
Motivation.
"Looking at the Blackhawks play and watching them celebrate and watching the parade, I'm jealous because I want that." Tillman told The Mully and Hanley Show on Wednesday.
Watching his hockey counterparts rally through the streets of Chicago, Tillman couldn't help but picture what it might be like if the Bears were to bring the Lombardi Trophy home on a cold February morning.
"I want that," he said. "That's why you play this game. I would love nothing more than to have - I think the Blackhawks had two million people (at their victory parade.) I want five million people on Michigan Avenue celebrating with us. It's going to be cold as hell because it's going to be some time in March or February.
"That's what I want right now. That's what drives you to work hard. You get tired, you're sweating, your body is sore, it's hot. Who cares? No one cares.You have to do that in order to accomplish that No. 1 goal, which is winning the Super Bowl."
Before they can celebrate that Super Bowl victory, Tillman and his teammates will need to learn to work under new head coach Marc Trestman.
Charles Tillman on The Mully and Hanley Show
"It's different," said Tillman, who was outspoken about his displeasure with the dismissal of Lovie Smith. "The one thing that I will say - (Trestman's) interest is for the team. It's not just for offense and it's not just for defense. His interest is for the greater good of our team. Every decision he makes, there's a reason why. If you don't know why, just ask him and he'll tell you."
For the 32-year-old Tillman who is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, he's ready to get to training camp on July 26 so he can prove those wrong who believe he's too old to continue playing at a high level.
"I've heard it a lot," Tillman said. "One of the biggest things that resides in me is competition. I think competition is everything. In life, in sports, competition is everything. I hate to lose. Part of my motivation is when someone tells me I can't do something. I like to use that motivation to motivate me to show that person - the naysayer, the hater - that I still have what it takes to be in this league."
