Charles Tillman: Experience to Charity

10/31/2024

On October 13, the NFL held its yearly tradition of foreign games. The Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars faced off in London, bringing American traditions to European fans. During these foreign games leading up to the main event, the NFL often hosts a variety of football-related activities for the fans to participate in. However, the most special and impactful event is “USAA's Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp.” Bears legend and possible future Hall of Famer Charles “Peanut” Tillman participated.

Many NFL fans will agree on the familiar sight of Rob Gronkowski raving about “USAA” in commercials. USAA is a service company that aids veterans and all US military families. They provide insurance, retirement plans, and banking. Tillman, along with former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, led servicemen and women in a friendly NFL-style combine competition. The event was held at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath Military Base, one of the US’ largest foreign military bases. The NFL’s Salute to Service initiative raised funds to orchestrate the combine as an act of gratitude to the military. 

Tillman and Jones-Drew also got to experience and learn about military operations at the base. Tillman said, “I have never changed munitions on a jet before. Actually carrying a bomb. I helped unload a missile. That was a bucket-list type thing so that was pretty cool.” 

Tillman has had a prolific history in philanthropy. In 2008, his 3-month-old daughter, Tiana Tillman, was diagnosed with a rare heart disease. The doctors made it clear to him of the severity and possibly fatal nature of the disease. The only solution was to receive a heart transplant. Tillman recalled the ordeal as “the most horrific thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” Tiana luckily received a fitting donor and is happy and alive today. Charles Tillman credited the experience heavily, “Her second chance at life has given me new meaning to life.” He would be inspired to create his own charity, the Cornerstone Foundation, dedicated to aiding children in Chicago with severe illnesses. Tillman expressed, “I’m thankful to that generous family that donated their kid’s organs… I can see my daughter getting married. I can see her go to prom. I can watch her in her first soccer game. There was a chance I would never get to see that.”

In 2011, the foundation brought in $350,000 total. They spent $115,000 on grants and $246,196 on program-related expenses. Program-related expenses are funds allocated to contribute to the respective charities’ missions. Generally, charities that spend more than a third of their funds on program-related expenses are recognized as “effective”, which Cornerstone greatly exceeded with 70% of its total funds being used for program-related expenses. 

The charity hosts multiple programs. The Charles’ Locker program provides technology such as game consoles, laptops, and iPads to chronically ill children to pass time during difficult treatment. The program has benefitted more than 130,000 children. Another sibling program, TendHER Heart, brings together 150 mothers of ill children to discuss and find solidarity in their experiences. 

Other additional programs include the Tiana Fund, which supports low-income families with their standards of living; the Holiday Celebration, wherein Charles Tillman visits patients in person to give gifts; Field of Dreams, which provides fully paid-for tickets and experiences to Bears games for sick children. 

The validity and legitimacy of big-name athletes creating charities are often questioned. Some seemingly philanthropic stars will create charities with limited investment. These foundations serve really as a platform for tax exemption and building their brand. However, as seen in Tillman’s tax records, he nor any beneficiaries receive any type of salary from his charity. 

Charles Tillman embodies a valuable lesson about helping others. Tillman shows that by being mindful of how difficult his own situation was with his daughter, he decided to prevent other parents from experiencing similar ordeals. His actions teach that by helping others, one can turn their struggles into victories. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works Cited

Dallke, Jim. “Chicago Bears Cornerback Charles Tillman Runs Life-Changing Charity for Kids.” Bleacher Report, 12 Oct. 2012, bleacherreport.com/articles/1368803-chicago-bears-cornerback-charles-tillman-runs-life-changing-charity-for-kids.

Jr, Rob Schwarz. “Former Chicago Bears Corner Charles Tillman Competes against Maurice Jones-Drew.” Bear Goggles On, 19 Oct. 2024, beargoggleson.com/former-chicago-bears-corner-charles-tillman-competes-against-maurice-jones-drew-01jaesb3mxqn.

Oliver, Randy. “Former Chicago Bears CB Charles “Peanut” Tillman Is Now an FBI Agent.” Daily Snark, 23 Feb. 2018, dailysnark.com/2018/02/23/former-chicago-bears-cb-charles-peanut-tillman-now-fbi-agent/.