Topzle Topzle

Charles Tillman

Updated: Wikipedia source

Charles Tillman

Charles Anthony Tillman (born February 23, 1981), nicknamed "Peanut", is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft. Tillman played 12 years for the Bears, helping them reach Super Bowl XLI, and also played one year with the Carolina Panthers, making Super Bowl 50 with the team, although he had been placed on injured reserve earlier in the season. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and was the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2013. He was known for his cover skills as well as his ability to force fumbles by stripping or "punching" the ball away from an opponent with a well-timed technique commonly known as the "Peanut Punch". After retiring from the NFL, Tillman joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2018. He served in the agency until 2025.

Infobox

Position
Cornerback
Born
(1981-02-23) February 23, 1981 (age 44)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight
210 lb (95 kg)
High school
Copperas Cove (Copperas Cove, Texas)
College
Louisiana–Lafayette (1999–2002)
NFL draft
2003: 2nd round, 35th overall pick
Total tackles
930
Sacks
3.0
Forced fumbles
44
Fumble recoveries
11
Pass deflections
140
Interceptions
38
Defensive touchdowns
9
Years active
2018–2025
Department
FBI
Status
Retired
Rank
Special Agent

Tables

Pre-draft measurables · Professional career
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 1+1⁄8 in(1.86 m)
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 1+1⁄8 in(1.86 m)
Height
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 1+1⁄8 in(1.86 m)
Weight
207 lb(94 kg)
Arm length
31 in(0.79 m)
Hand span
9+3⁄4 in(0.25 m)
40-yard dash
4.49 s
10-yard split
1.56 s
20-yard split
2.63 s
20-yard shuttle
3.89 s
Three-cone drill
7.05 s
Vertical jump
40.0 in(1.02 m)
Broad jump
10 ft 11 in(3.33 m)
Bench press
12 reps
All values from NFL Combine
All values from NFL Combine
Height
All values from NFL Combine
Height
Weight
Arm length
Hand span
40-yard dash
10-yard split
20-yard split
20-yard shuttle
Three-cone drill
Vertical jump
Broad jump
Bench press
mw- .mw- 6 ft 1+1⁄8 in(1.86 m)
207 lb(94 kg)
31 in(0.79 m)
9+3⁄4 in(0.25 m)
4.49 s
1.56 s
2.63 s
3.89 s
7.05 s
40.0 in(1.02 m)
10 ft 11 in(3.33 m)
12 reps
All values from NFL Combine
· NFL career statistics
Bold
Bold
Legend
Bold
Legend
Career high
Legend
NFL record
Bold
Career high
· NFL career statistics › Regular season
GP
GP
Year
GP
Team
GS
Games
Cmb
Games
Solo
Tackles
Ast
Tackles
Sck
Tackles
FF
Tackles
FR
Fumbles
Yds
Fumbles
Int
Fumbles
Yds
Interceptions
Avg
Interceptions
Lng
Interceptions
TD
Interceptions
PD
2003
2003
Year
2003
Team
CHI
Games
16
Games
13
Tackles
83
Tackles
76
Tackles
7
Tackles
1.0
Fumbles
2
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
4
Interceptions
27
Interceptions
6.8
Interceptions
32
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
12
2004
2004
Year
2004
Team
CHI
Games
8
Games
7
Tackles
39
Tackles
32
Tackles
7
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0.0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
5
2005
2005
Year
2005
Team
CHI
Games
15
Games
15
Tackles
93
Tackles
82
Tackles
11
Tackles
1.0
Fumbles
4
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
5
Interceptions
172
Interceptions
34.4
Interceptions
95
Interceptions
1
Interceptions
16
2006
2006
Year
2006
Team
CHI
Games
14
Games
14
Tackles
80
Tackles
68
Tackles
12
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
40
Interceptions
5
Interceptions
32
Interceptions
6.4
Interceptions
13
Interceptions
1
Interceptions
14
2007
2007
Year
2007
Team
CHI
Games
15
Games
15
Tackles
75
Tackles
66
Tackles
9
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
4
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
24
Interceptions
8.0
Interceptions
20
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
13
2008
2008
Year
2008
Team
CHI
Games
15
Games
15
Tackles
93
Tackles
81
Tackles
12
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
4
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
52
Interceptions
17.3
Interceptions
26
Interceptions
1
Interceptions
17
2009
2009
Year
2009
Team
CHI
Games
15
Games
15
Tackles
77
Tackles
65
Tackles
12
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
6
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
2
Interceptions
35
Interceptions
17.5
Interceptions
21
Interceptions
1
Interceptions
7
2010
2010
Year
2010
Team
CHI
Games
16
Games
16
Tackles
82
Tackles
71
Tackles
11
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
4
Fumbles
3
Fumbles
-8
Interceptions
5
Interceptions
127
Interceptions
25.4
Interceptions
56
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
14
2011
2011
Year
2011
Team
CHI
Games
16
Games
16
Tackles
99
Tackles
82
Tackles
17
Tackles
1.0
Fumbles
3
Fumbles
2
Fumbles
4
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
66
Interceptions
22.0
Interceptions
44
Interceptions
2
Interceptions
12
2012
2012
Year
2012
Team
CHI
Games
16
Games
16
Tackles
86
Tackles
74
Tackles
12
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
10
Fumbles
2
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
71
Interceptions
23.7
Interceptions
36
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
16
2013
2013
Year
2013
Team
CHI
Games
8
Games
8
Tackles
41
Tackles
32
Tackles
9
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
3
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
3
Interceptions
69
Interceptions
23.0
Interceptions
41
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
7
2014
2014
Year
2014
Team
CHI
Games
2
Games
2
Tackles
8
Tackles
8
Tackles
0
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0.0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
1
2015
2015
Year
2015
Team
CAR
Games
12
Games
12
Tackles
55
Tackles
36
Tackles
19
Tackles
0.0
Fumbles
2
Fumbles
1
Fumbles
0
Interceptions
2
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0.0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Interceptions
0
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
168
Games
164
Games
911
Tackles
773
Tackles
138
Tackles
3.0
Tackles
44
Fumbles
12
Fumbles
36
Fumbles
38
Interceptions
675
Interceptions
17.8
Interceptions
95
Interceptions
9
Interceptions
141
Year
Team
Games
Tackles
Fumbles
Interceptions
GP
GS
Cmb
Solo
Ast
Sck
FF
FR
Yds
Int
Yds
Avg
Lng
TD
PD
2003
CHI
16
13
83
76
7
1.0
2
0
0
4
27
6.8
32
0
12
2004
CHI
8
7
39
32
7
0.0
1
1
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
5
2005
CHI
15
15
93
82
11
1.0
4
1
0
5
172
34.4
95
1
16
2006
CHI
14
14
80
68
12
0.0
1
1
40
5
32
6.4
13
1
14
2007
CHI
15
15
75
66
9
0.0
4
0
0
3
24
8.0
20
0
13
2008
CHI
15
15
93
81
12
0.0
4
0
0
3
52
17.3
26
1
17
2009
CHI
15
15
77
65
12
0.0
6
1
0
2
35
17.5
21
1
7
2010
CHI
16
16
82
71
11
0.0
4
3
-8
5
127
25.4
56
0
14
2011
CHI
16
16
99
82
17
1.0
3
2
4
3
66
22.0
44
2
12
2012
CHI
16
16
86
74
12
0.0
10
2
0
3
71
23.7
36
3
16
2013
CHI
8
8
41
32
9
0.0
3
0
0
3
69
23.0
41
0
7
2014
CHI
2
2
8
8
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
2015
CAR
12
12
55
36
19
0.0
2
1
0
2
0
0.0
0
0
0
Career
168
164
911
773
138
3.0
44
12
36
38
675
17.8
95
9
141

References

  1. Tied with Osi Umenyiora
  2. rostermon.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180127203518/http://www.rostermon.com/player/1703/
  3. Donnelly, Mike, Charles Tillman - Not Your Typical 'Peanut' (January 18, 2007), nflplayers.com, Retrieved on July 25, 20
    http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=6202
  4. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11534600/charles-tillman-peanut-punch-historic-chicago-bears
  5. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17114030/the-art-charles-tillman-peanut-punch-nfl-chicago-bears-carolina-panthers
  6. The Athletic
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2172511/2020/10/31/charles-tillman-nfl-bears-peanut-punch/
  7. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/10/18/tillman-and-griffin-iii-have-more-in-common-than-sunday-matchup/
  8. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-charles-tillman-fbi-training-20170919-story.html
  9. draftscout.com
    https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1849&DraftYear=2003
  10. nflcombineresults.com
    http://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=6700
  11. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/draft.htm
  12. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/lalafayette/index.htm
  13. Spotrac.com
    https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/charles-tillman-1316/cash-earnings/
  14. overthecap.com
    https://overthecap.com/player/charles-tillman/109/
  15. ChicagoTribune.com
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/05/02/its-tillmans-kind-of-town/
  16. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309070sfo.htm
  17. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=1628475
  18. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310050chi.htm
  19. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310260chi.htm
  20. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311160chi.htm
  21. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311230den.htm
  22. Chicago Bears
    https://www.chicagobears.com/news/tillman-discusses-most-memorable-play-career-interception-randy-moss-vikings
  23. NFL.com
    http://www.nfl.com/player/charlestillman/2505625/careerstats
  24. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1695772
  25. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/23/sports/football/bills-bledsoe-reaffirms-his-status-as-the-starter.html
  26. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200510300det.htm
  27. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512110pit.htm
  28. pro-football-reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200610160crd.htm
  29. ESPN, Giants' Burress says Bears CBs 'very beatable' (November 9, 2006), espn.com, Retrieved on July 25, 2007.
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2655299
  30. Canavan, Tom, Chicago 38, NY Giants 20 (November 13, 2006), Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved on July 25, 2007.
    https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AshV5w46hwB_bR1FFZHQSuH.uLYF?gid=20061112019
  31. pro-football-reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611260nwe.htm
  32. Mayer, Larry, Chalk Talk Story - Did Peanut get shelled in Pro Bowl voting? Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback
    http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?story_id=2837
  33. Mayer, Larry, Tillman agrees to six-year contract extension Archived February 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (July 24,
    http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3610
  34. Ourlads.com
    https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/17/CHI
  35. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3039925
  36. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711250chi.htm
  37. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TillCh20.htm
  38. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200810050det.htm
  39. NFL.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/tillman-s-status-uncertain-as-bears-fight-injuries-in-secondary-09000d5d80ba0682
  40. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200911010chi.htm
  41. "Bears' Tillman released from hospital"
    http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/bears-tillman-released-from-hospital.html
  42. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/player
  43. windycitygridiron.com
    https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2011/6/5/2207152/a-fresh-start-for-zack-bowman
  44. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201010100car.htm
  45. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101020gnb.htm
  46. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TillCh20.htm
  47. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201111130chi.htm
  48. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201010min.htm
  49. "Tillman among five voted to Pro Bowl"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120616045916/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8516
  50. chicago.sbnation.com
    https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/8/6/3223959/bears-depth-chart
  51. pro-football-reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201210010dal.htm
  52. Chicago Tribune
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121008033242/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1008-bears-jaguars-chicago--20121008,0,5625498.story
  53. National Football League
    https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-win-big-gain-steam-in-nfc-playoff-race-0ap1000000089598
  54. pro-football-reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212230crd.htm
  55. "2013 Pro Bowl roster analysis: NFC"
    https://www.nfl.com/news/2013-pro-bowl-roster-analysis-nfc-0ap1000000117397
  56. "Five Bears players voted to Pro Bowl"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121230220353/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Five-Bears-players-voted-to-Pro-Bowl/247b6291-c79f-44aa-827d-eb92cc1d40fe
  57. "All-Pro Team headlined by Adrian Peterson, J.J. Watt"
    https://www.nfl.com/news/all-pro-team-headlined-by-adrian-peterson-j-j-watt-0ap1000000125147
  58. "Reviewing Bears season by the numbers"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093201/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Reviewing-Bears-season-by-the-numbers/527155e6-2790-458c-a3df-c26aaf2c136c
  59. NFL.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/lovie-smith-fired-as-chicago-bears-coach-0ap1000000119943
  60. Chicago Sun-Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130801100623/http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/11/defensive_mvp_candidates_charl.html
  61. "Tillman, Jennings continue to play takeaway in stirring win"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130910122735/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Tillman-Jennings-continue-to-play-takeaway-in-stirring-win/f8a89b4c-97e8-4123-a0f1-b894bf79c68c
  62. Fansided.com
    https://fansided.com/2013/10/10/charles-tillman-game-time-decision-chicago-bears/
  63. "Charles Tillman headed to IR with triceps injury"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131111222959/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Charles-Tillman-headed-to-IR-with-triceps-injury/12e40929-ca99-4e2b-abac-37b88f1b75d4
  64. "Tillman done for season"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131217115013/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Tillman-done-for-season/b4d0bf32-39ad-4ce4-ba77-8cca4eb6c23c
  65. "Jennings a bright spot on defense"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140204055759/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Jennings-a-bright-spot-on-defense/df293f07-4435-4ad8-91a0-ca47dcb88e7f
  66. NFL.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/charles-tillman-wins-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-0ap2000000321596
  67. "Tillman repeats stellar performance"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121011012951/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Tillman-repeats-stellar-performance/cd4329ee-7829-43f1-8286-e2262d28f33d
  68. Chicago Sun-Times
    https://archive.today/20140916000110/http://www.suntimes.com/26209142-606/bears-re-sign-charles-tillman.html%23.VBd7E_ldWFU
  69. 247Sports.com
    https://247sports.com/nfl/chicago-bears/Article/Bears-Official-2014-Depth-Chart-105127403/
  70. Profootballtalk.com
    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/15/report-charles-tillman-done-for-season-with-triceps-injury/
  71. Chicago Sun-Times
    http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/515134/charles-tillman-thanks-bears-fans-chicago-newspaper-ad
  72. NFL.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/panthers-sign-charles-tillman-to-one-year-deal-0ap3000000484430
  73. sports.yahoo.com
    https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts-carolina-panthers-20151102029/
  74. WBTV.com
    https://www.wbtv.com/story/30523467/carolina-panthers-are-9-0-after-beating-tennessee-titans-27-10/
  75. sports.yahoo.com
    https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-carolina-panthers-20151108029/
  76. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201602070den.htm
  77. "Charles Tillman announces retirement with incredible video"
    https://deadspin.com/charles-tillman-announces-retirement-with-incredible-vi-1783878093
  78. Chicago Tribune
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-charles-tillman-retires-bears-20160721-story.html
  79. Yahoo! Sports
    https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nfl-star-charles-tillman-135000488.html?src=rss
  80. Sporting News
    http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/charles-tillman-fbi-academy-graduate-agent-badge-peanut-punch-chicago-bears-carolina-panthers/1fqm6hlqpp08i1vyr83rephr7d
  81. "Charles "Peanut" Tillman Explains Why He Retired From the FBI"
    https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2025/09/25/peanut-tillman-fbi/
  82. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/12/09/peanut-punch-charles-tillman/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F460e4fa%2F693855a1130502561e4d67f5%2F59dfbe52ae7e8a62e387e341%2F39%2F67%2F693855a1130502561e4d67f5
  83. Los Angeles Times
    http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-nfl-report-20121109,0,1270526.story?track=rss
  84. National Football League
    https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-charles-tillman-wife-welcome-baby-girl-0ap1000000094593
  85. "Tillman humbly accepts award on daughter Tiana's behalf"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090410084516/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5717
  86. Officer
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150905172022/https://www.roa.org/publications
  87. WGN-TV
    https://wgntv.com/2019/09/02/chicago-bears-legend-peanut-tillman-completes-lake-michigan-row/
  88. www.crowdrise.com
    https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/row4kids
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.