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Copperas Cove’s Charles Tillman returns to Super Bowl on Injured Reserve

by
TexasHSFootball.com
February 2

Carolina Panthers’ cornerback Charles Tillman returns to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2006. Unfortunately, this time he will be sitting on the sidelines. The two-time pro bowler and former Chicago Bear suffered a torn ACL and will be unable to play.

Tillman has been a model of consistency in his 13-year NFL career. He’s recorded 38 interceptions, 44 forced fumbles and eight defensive touchdowns.

His career started off just like multiple players in the Super Bowl, in Texas. Tillman played at the well-known high school of Copperas Cove. Copperas Cove is also where Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III started his career.

Tillman became an all-state honorable mention in 5A, the highest class in Texas at the time. He was a star wide receiver for the Bulldawgs snagging 36 passes for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. He would play well enough to garner interest from Louisiana Lafayette, but not as a receiver.

He would transition to defensive back despite his all-state play at wide out. It proved to be a perfect move with the Ragin Cajuns as Tillman built up quite the resume in four years. He recorded 12 interceptions and left Louisiana Lafayette as one of the top corners in the country.

The Chicago Bears didn’t wait long to snatch up the Sun Belt product. Chicago drafted him in the second round 35^th overall. In 12 years with the Bears he would compile 856 total tackles, 36 interceptions and an NFC championship.

However, he never could attain the ever-elusive super bowl ring. Tillman signed with Carolina in the offseason to try and achieve just that. In 2015, he proved he could still play at age 34. He recorded 55 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Sadly, he would find out he would miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in week 17.

Tillman has a chance to win his first career super bowl this Sunday. But, it will be from the sidelines.