The retired corner turns 44 today. Let’s enjoy some highlights.
Charles Tillman, known as Peanut, celebrates his 44th birthday today.
It’s also the number of forced fumbles, 44, that he logged during his 13-year career, 12 of which he spent with the Chicago Bears. It was something that he became so known for, that to this day broadcasters around the league and at all levels of football call it the Peanut Punch.
Players have been punching out the football for a long time, but Tillman refined it and coined a new term for it.
Our own Jack Silverstein has pointed out how much of an outlier Tillman’s forced fumble stats are. Especially for his position.
I’ve been saying this since @peanuttillman retired: Peanut has the distinction of a Hall of Fame case growing in retirement as everyone realizes the impact of the #PeanutPunch. 44 forced fumbles — only DB in top 10. Studied by defenders, taught by coaches.
@WCGridiron pic.twitter.com/ZMnSpngJHR
— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) October 13, 2022
If you want even more on Tillman, four years back my man Jeff Berkes, the number one Tillman Stan, held a Charles Tillman Appreciation Day, writing about his favorite player.
All of this to say, we here at WCG are wishing Charles Tillman a very happy birthday!! We hope you are thriving, healthy and happy. And we hope you continue to get the recognition you deserve.
Now, cue the highlights and let’s remember how good he was on the football field. Shoutout to the NFLLegacy X and Instagram account for posting this.
Happy 44th birthday to @peanuttillman – who has exactly 44 forced fumbles in his career! Let’s celebrate by watching them all – especially you, LT! pic.twitter.com/cUcH624ZDb
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) February 23, 2025