Chicago Bears fourth-round pick (No. 127 overall) Deiondre’ Hall, a 6’2” 200-pound defensive back from Northern Iowa, has been drawing some Charles Tillman comparisons. In fact, there’s been a couple “Is Deiondre’ Hall the next Charles Tillman?” articles published in 2016.
It’s easy to see why. The two cornerbacks are similar in size and skill sets, both drafted by the Bears out of mid-major schools. The bar is very high for Hall though, as Tillman is a two time Pro Bowler, and earned first team all pro honors in 2012.
Note this excerpt from Today’s Pigskin:
Chicago has not had a defensive back with the ability to create turnovers like Hall since Charles Tillman left for Carolina before last season. In fact, when Hall was asked who he modeled his game after Tillman was one of the first players he mentioned.
“For cornerback, me personally, I’ve always loved Charles Tillman,” Hall said. “Just being a ballhawk and getting that ball. That’s something that’s been huge to me throughout my time at Northern Iowa…
“I’ve always kind of tried to model my game after him. Like I said, just being a ballhawk and getting that ball out. That’s one of the key emphasis throughout my time at Northern Iowa. Not basically mimicking his game but taking bits and pieces and adding it to mine.”
As you probably already know, today saw Tillman announce his retirement from the NFL. He did so by posting the following short film on YouTube and Tweeting it on his official verified Twitter account. It was a very creative and clever way to say goodbye.
We caught up with Peanut Tillman Thursday night as he hosted the fourth annual Charles Tillman Celebrity Pro BOWLer Tournament at Kings Bowl in Lincoln Park.
We asked Tillman what he thought of the Hall comparisons, and he responded- “Don’t be the next Charles Tillman, be the next Deionre’ Hall, don’t live in my shadow, be better than me, it’s what I say to that.”
For audio of the full Charles Tillman exclusive, click below:
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/charles-peanut-tillman-exclusive-1
“Break all my records,” he continued.
“Records are meant to be broken. I hope he has success at the position and I hope he has success in his career.”
In addition to Tillman, other celebrity athletes participating in the charity bowling tournament included former Bears Jerry Azumah, Rashied Davis, Johnny Knox and Jason McKie; as Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Robert Griffin III and local TV host Jarrett Payton.
The event supported Tillman’s Cornerstone Foundation; which provides resources to children in need and their families.
We salute Charles Tillman on this the formal end to his storied NFL career. Vaya con dios Peanut. For more on the Cornerstone Foundation go to charlestillman.org
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram