Cornerback Charles Tillman has officially retired after 13 seasons in the NFL. He played 12 of the 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Tillman was a two-time Pro Bowler and the 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Charles Tillman Retires From NFL After 13 Seasons
He announced his retirement by tweeting out a video with the caption “it’s been real.” In the video, Tillman goes around smacking things out of people’s hands. He then proceeds to use a punch-out clock, signifying that his time is up, followed by him hanging up his cleats.
The Bears drafted Tillman in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Over the course of his career, he recorded 923 total tackles, three sacks and 38 interceptions. He was a two-time NFC Champion, going to Super Bowl XLI with the Bears in 2007 and Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers back in February. Unfortunately, he could not call himself a Super Bowl champion.
Tillman played his college football at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. In his three seasons in college, he recorded 12 interceptions. He also returned three kicks for 57 yards.
His career high interceptions is five. He recorded five interceptions in three different seasons (2005, 2006, 2010). He also recorded 44 forced fumbles over his career. That is the second-most forced fumbles since 2003, behind Robert Mathis.
He spent his final season with the Panthers. In 12 games with the Panthers, he recorded 55 tackles and two interceptions. He missed four games due to a knee injury. He returned during the team’s Week 15 game against the New York Giants. The last two seasons for Tillman in Chicago were cut short due to triceps muscle injuries.
“I’ve had 13 amazing years on two great teams and I’m just thankful for the love and support that I got from my teammates,” Tillman told chicagobears.com. “I’m thankful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am right now because I definitely didn’t do it by myself.”
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