Countdown to Kickoff… Peanut Tillman Days Until Chicago Bears Kickoff

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Charles Tillman (33) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals.  Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re Peanut Tillman days away from kickoff!  To commemorate the occasion, walk past someone on the street and just punch their briefcase out of their hand or flip over their lunch tray.

If you really want to emulate Tillman, tell them you’re about to do it and then go ahead and do it.  Everyone in the league knows the “Peanut Punch” is coming, but Tillman still had 10 forced fumbles last season.  It’s quite an impressive stat for the impressive Chicago Bears cornerback.

The Bears selected Tillman with the 35th pick in the 2003 draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette.  He made an immediate impact as a rookie, moving into a starting role while recording 83 tackles and four interceptions, perhaps none more memorable than this one:

You like the young but still clueless Mike Tice in that clip?

Tillman has 33 interceptions and 39 forced fumbles in his career while scoring 8 touchdowns.  If Tillman can manage to grab five more picks this season, he’ll share the top spot as the Bears’ all-time leader in interceptions with Gary Fencik.  No one has as many forced fumbles over the same span as Tillman.

As impressive as Tillman is on the field, and a pair of consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and a 2012 All Pro selection speak volumes to that, it’s what Tillman does off the field that really makes him special.  Tillman is a three time Piccolo Award winner, and also the Ed Block Courage and Salute to Service Award.  His Cornerstone foundation does fantastic work.  CSN Chicago recently did a feature on Tillman.

Have an Inside Look at Tillman’s profile on the next page. (Video starts automatically, so adjust your sound if you’re at work!)