Windy City Gridiron
The former Bears DB has inspired the way many modern day defenders play the game of football - and it shows
The Chicago Bears may have gotten plenty of Hall of Fame honors in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped 2025 from kicking off with a familiar name once again popping up with the highest of praise. That’s because when a defender uses a perfectly placed fist to dislodge the football from an oncoming ballcarrier, there’s only one term to describe the technique: a “Peanut Punch”:
While this technique now seems to be an ever-present part of modern football, former Bears DB Charles “Peanut” Tillman has been getting his rightful praise in the build up to Super Bowl LIX. Tillman’s proficiency at creating turnovers was so effective, that it is still being studied by teams at the highest level, including the Super Bowl-bound Eagles per PHLY’s Zach Berman:
The effects of the “Peanut Punch” have been on full display during these NFL playoffs and, as usual, it has drawn the attention of many across social media. Of those who have taken to sharing thoughts and pondering Tillman’s legacy, is one of his peers and one-time rivals. Let’s go inside the mind of a former Packers and Vikings WR, Greg Jennings:
While the merits of his career accolades and statistics can be debated, Charles Tillman’s legacy is unquestionably that of a Hall of Famer. Until we can see his bust in Canton, we’ll just have to settle for hearing his name on nearly every NFL broadcast.
