Chicago Bears cornerback and Ragin’ Cajuns football alumnus Charles Tillman has been named the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The award was presented to him Saturday during the NFL Honors awards show at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The prestigious award, which is named after the late Bears Hall of Fame running back, is the only league honor that recognizes a player's community service as well as his playing excellence.
Nicknamed “Peanut”, Tillman was a four-time letterman in football for 鶹ý from 1999-2002. In 2002, he received All-American recognition; was named an All-Independent selection in 2000; and was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. He ended his career as a Ragin’ Cajun with 284 tackles, 12 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and three blocked punts.
Tillman paused to wipe away tears after accepting the award from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"As a Chicago Bear, this honor of course has great meaning to me, and it’s pretty sweet bringing Walter back home," Tillman said. "Please know how humbled and honored I am to be receiving this award."
Tillman is the fifth Bears player to win the award, joining Payton (1977), Dave Duerson (1987), Mike Singletary (1990) and Jim Flanigan (2000).
Walter Payton’s children, Jarrett and Brittney, will honor Tillman Sunday on the field at MetLife Stadium before the start of Super Bowl XLVIII.
"I'm grateful to be the recipient of such a prestigious award," Tillman said. "Walter Payton's legacy continues to be a beacon of service and giving, and I'm just trying to do my small part. I don't think any of the finalists do what they do to get recognition, but we do it because we are passionate about helping others."
Since being selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2003 draft, Tillman has become one of the best defensive players in franchise history. A two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he owns Bears career records with nine defensive touchdowns, eight interception return TDs and 675 interception return yards. His 36 interceptions are the most by a cornerback in franchise history and third most overall behind safeties Gary Fencik (38) and Richie Petitbon (37).
Since entering the NFL, Tillman is the league's only player with at least 30 interceptions and 30 forced fumbles. During that span he is second in forced fumbles, tied for fifth in interceptions, fifth in interception return yards and tied for second in interception return TDs.
Off the field, Tillman's contributions are equally impressive. Since he created the Cornerstone Foundation in 2005, his efforts have impacted over one million Chicago-area children and raised more than $1 million.
The foundation began by providing children with educational opportunities and resources to excel in the classroom. But after Tillman's three-month-old daughter, Tiana, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and received a life-saving heart transplant in 2008, the Cornerstone Foundation changed its mission to improving the lives of critically and chronically ill children.
The Cornerstone Foundation's programs include "Charles' Locker," "Field of Dreams," "Holiday Celebration," "Mother's Champagne Brunch" and "The Tiana Fund."
Charles' Locker provides pediatric hospital patients with access to iPads, laptops, gaming systems and other kinds of entertainment to help pass the time during their hospital stays and annually reaches more than 370,000 children.
The Tiana Fund has distributed more than $1 million to over 300 families who have been identified by local organizations as at-risk or in-need. The support is provided to families and individuals to strengthen their ability to care for themselves, enhance their stability and security, and improve their quality of life.
Tillman and his wife, Jackie, also contribute their time and resources to local, national and international organizations outside of the Cornerstone Foundation. The Tillmans have helped build a school in Cambodia, sponsored children through the Urban Promise program in Camden, New Jersey, and have purchased and donated over 700 tickets to Bears home games since 2008 through the Bears Home Team Hand-Off program.
Tillman is also an avid supporter of the military and has participated in a USO tour to Iraq, volunteered with the USO of Illinois on Thanksgiving to serve meals to local troops, and provided soldiers with tickets to games at Soldier Field during the 2013 season.
By winning the award, Tillman will receive a $25,000 donation in addition to the $1,000 he was given for being named the Bears’ nominee. The veteran cornerback was one of three finalists in 2011 and has been the Bears’ nominee five of the last seven years.
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