Longtime Bears CB 'Peanut' Tillman announces retirement
Following 13 seasons in the NFL, cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman announced his retirement Monday in a humorous YouTube video.
Tillman, who played 12 years with the Chicago Bears and then the 2016 season with the Carolina Panthers, was known his "Peanut Punch" that he used to force fumbles. His total of 44 forced fumbles was the highest among defensive backs since 1984, when the stat became official.
Tillman's retirement video is entitled "Peanut Punch Everything," and it shows him knocking items out of the hands of numerous adults and children, including family members. Among other items, he knocks away remote controls, a spoon, a bag of White Castle food and a bowling ball.
The video ends with Tillman, 35, punching out on a time clock below a sign that reads "Best Day Ever," then hanging up his cleats.
Tillman told ChicagoBears.com, "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, the fans and my coaches. 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."
The Bears tweeted at Tillman, "Congrats on an amazing career, Charles. #ThanksPeanut for the memories."
The Panthers added on Twitter, "Congratulations on an amazing career peanuttillman! #ThanksPeanut"
In 168 games, Tillman recorded 911 tackles and 38 interceptions, eight of which he returned for touchdowns. He was credited with 126 passes defensed.
Last season, Tillman played 12 games for Carolina, all starts, and he had 55 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed.
Tillman received the 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his community service helping homeless people in the Chicago area through his Cornerstone Foundation.
The on- and off-field accomplishments led to Tillman receiving praise from opponents such as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tweeted, "Heard you retired peanuttillman loved competing against you. You're HOF in my book. #respect #forcedFumbles #class"
ESPN analyst Andrew Brandt, a former Packers vice president, posted on Twitter, "We game-planned around this guy in Green Bay when he was with Bears. Terrific player (and person). #peanuttillman"