Charles Tillman officially retires from NFL… but the best is yet to come
In a style all his own, Charles “Peanut” Tillman retired from the NFL Monday.
I know this: Charles had an elite career, playing a dozen years for the Chicago Bears and establishing himself as the storied franchise’s greatest cornerback by consistently rising to the occasion against other-worldly receivers such as Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss and generating turnovers at a dizzying rate oftentimes his famed “Peanut Punch.”
Fittingly, Charles leaves a fist-print on the football field.
But I also know this: Charles will make an even greater impact now that his playing career is over.
For too many athletes, their on-field success – whether it ends in high school, college or however long in the pros – is the pinnacle of their life. Having gotten to know Charles, I can assure you that will not be a part of his narrative.
He has SO much to offer, and the public has seen glimpses of that, from his commitment to his family, his commitment to community, which was celebrated with his selection as the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and his commitment to our youth, which I was honored to be a part of in writing The Middle School Rules of Charles “Peanut” Tillman.
But there’s more to come, and I believe Charles will follow the path of other standout athletes who somehow transcended their remarkable on-field feats with even more remarkable off-field endeavors.
For now, though, we can appreciate his creativity by watching his retirement announcement and how universally loved he was by scanning some of the social media notes and posts from a wide range of figures.
After 13 seasons… @peanuttillman is calling it a career: https://t.co/udogWMQfgx #ThanksPeanut pic.twitter.com/M8qWpprEGM
— NFL (@NFL) July 18, 2016
Tillman | 2x ProBowler & 2013 WPMOY#ThanksPeanut for being a great representative of the game on & off the field. pic.twitter.com/pfKE9wYpP8
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 18, 2016
Congrats on an amazing career, Charles. #ThanksPeanut for the memories. pic.twitter.com/Dz32PPTKK3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 18, 2016
Congratulations on an amazing career @peanuttillman! #ThanksPeanut pic.twitter.com/EhLTfX4OxB
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 18, 2016
Charles Tillman is the only NFL player to record 30+ INTs & 40+ FFs (Note: FF data before 1994 is incomplete) pic.twitter.com/KCQg3sfOiF
— Randall Liu (@RLiuCBS) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/755184895878504448
It's a wrap on an epic career, classmate. Thirteen years, and I'm damn proud to have wi… https://t.co/EPHc75ic9E pic.twitter.com/occiIjuE07
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) July 18, 2016
Heard you retired @peanuttillman loved competing against you. You're HOF in my book. #respect #forcedFumbles #class pic.twitter.com/8O840NyweA
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) July 19, 2016
Congrats to one of my all time favorite Bears and an all time great @peanuttillman An amazing career for you my brother.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 19, 2016
Great player better man. Thanks for setting the bar high for all of us @peanuttillman! https://t.co/mZb5epy0fH
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) July 18, 2016
Charles Tillman announces retirement with incredible video: https://t.co/yH92m4h4ih pic.twitter.com/9M51hgOSNQ
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) July 18, 2016
Congrats @peanuttillman on an amazing career: 13 years, 2 Pro Bowls, 168 games, & countless memories. #ThanksPeanut pic.twitter.com/ghuNmFgbq0
— Select Sports Group (@SelectSports) July 18, 2016
Thank you @peanuttillman, though it was only a year you made an impact on our community in the Carolinas. #AlwaysAPanther #KeepPounding.
— Andrew Welsch (@APWelsch8) July 19, 2016
Charles Tillman retires in pure @peanuttillman fashion. #Bears fans will love this video goodbye! #PeanutPunch https://t.co/3kcLi8SbIf
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/755220227923804160
Happy Retirement @peanuttillman! Loved watching you play as a Bear! Maybe you'll have time to write more books. pic.twitter.com/BOajJnNKZw
— Marc Walker (@detroitmarc) July 19, 2016
You were one of the best to do it fam @peanuttillman it was always a pleasure seeing you play. #ThePunch
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/thurmanthomas/status/755220294592233473
@peanuttillman Thank you for visiting! It definitely was once in a life time experience! Congrats and good luck! pic.twitter.com/buqkag9KrN
— Emily Woods (@sandelwoods108) July 19, 2016
Charles Tillman retires as greatest defensive back in Bears' history https://t.co/m99B2Q353W
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) July 19, 2016
My favorite Bear retired today. Congrats on a great career, @peanuttillman !!
— Kaitlin Lynch (@kaitlynch) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/paytonsun/status/755173725335617536
One of the best players ….. but more importantly… one of the best people I ever had the chance to cover https://t.co/mRjqDHCURI
— trey wingo (@wingoz) July 18, 2016
Growing up watching @peanuttillman always had me more excited to watch the defense than offense take the field. #legend #beardownforever
— Young Bruh (@lowkeyerthanyou) July 19, 2016
