Accordingly to a Friday Sporting News’ report, Copperas Cove High School alumnus and NFL star Charles Tillman graduated from the FBI’s Training Academy in Quantico, Va., and is now an agent.
Tillman, a 13-year NFL veteran entered the 20-week program last year. His entry into federal training was first reported by the Chicago Tribune.
Per information about new agent age requirements and restrictions supplied on the FBI website, he had until his 37th birthday to graduate and earn a badge. The former Chicago Bear and Carolina Panther turned 37 on Feb. 23 — the day of his reported appointment.
The FBI will not release a statement as to help him acclimatize to his role.
“They will try to get him to fade to anonymity as much as they can,” Retired U.S. Marshal Kim Widup said to Sporting News.
Widup was a 38-year law enforcement veteran who led the Whitewater investigation.
Tillman, though, is not the only sports star to join law enforcement. Herschel Walker, an NFL Hall of Famer, took FBI courses and NBA Champion center Shaquille O’Neal is a deputy marshal in Louisiana.
He is also a reserve police officer in Florida and a sheriff’s deputy in Georgia.
“But I think at some point the FBI will also use it as part of their recruiting policy, as in, ‘Look who we got,’” Widup continued.
Sporting News’ sources also said Tillman is already working with the FBI.
NFL star and former Bulldawg Charles Tillman is introduced by Copperas Cove coach Jack Welch before the Copperas Cove Spring Game at Bulldawg Stadium on May 26, 2016. Photo courtesy Andy Zavoina/Killeen Daily Herald
In 1999, Tillman was a 6-foot-2 and 180-pound defender at Copperas Cove under former coach Jack Welch. He helped the Bulldogs finish 9-2 overall and 10-3 overall a year prior.
A year later, he joined the University of Louisiana Lafayette. He was drafted by Chicago in the second round (No. 35) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
He had 38 interceptions and 126 career passes defended in 12 years with the Bears and one with the Panthers. He also forced 44 fumbles in his career.
That number leads all defensive backs in NFL history.
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