The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman E-Book

Sean Jensen

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 101

Beschreibung

Over a dozen seasons, Charles Tillman established himself as the greatest cornerback in the storied history of the Chicago Bears. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Tillman has been distinguished as one of the NFL's most opportunistic defensive backs, intercepting 36 passes and forcing 42 fumbles—the most in the league since his rookie year in 2003. In fact, he popularized the "Peanut Punch," a nod to his childhood nickname and a tribute to his knack for jarring a football from the grasp of an offensive player. But even more than his acclaim on the field, Tillman is highly regarded off the field. With his father serving in the United States Army, Tillman attended 11 different schools domestically and internationally. Lightly recruited out of Copperas Cove High School in Texas, Tillman was offered a single Division 1-A scholarship, but he shined at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was selected by the Bears in the second round of the NFL Draft. In 2005, Tillman and his wife Jackie established the Cornerstone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities to children in need. Tillman was a 2012 finalist for the NFL Players Association's Byron White Man of the Year award, and he was the 2013 winner of the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which "recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence." The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman will feature the defining childhood stories of a young, well-traveled boy nicknamed "Peanut," who had to deal with racism, adapt to constant relocation, and endure the divorce of his parents. Inspired by faith and family, Tillman persevered and carved out an indelible mark both on and off the field. 

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA www.broadstreetpublishing.com

Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman

© 2015 Charles Tillman and Sean Jensen

ISBN 978-1-4245-5101-9 (hard cover)

ISBN 978-1-4245-5102-6 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Photograph of Charles Tillman courtesy of The Chicago Bears.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Illustrated by Max Smith | maxsmithdraws.com

Cover and interior design by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Editorial services provided by Ginger Garrett | gingergarrett.com

and Michelle Winger | literallyprecise.com

Printed in China.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

from Charles Tillman

I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forgiving me my talent and placing the right people in my lifeto get me to where I am today.Thank you to the entire Tillman family for always believing in meand all my friends who have—and continue to be—close allies.A special thank you to my beautiful wife Jackie for supporting meand pushing me to my maximum potential, especially off the field.To Tayla, Tiana, Tysen, and Tessa: You inspire me to be better anddo better by you and for you.

from Sean Jensen

First and foremost, all glory to God,for his enduring love and grace.Thanks to my parents for pushing and raising me.Special thanks to my wife Erica for challenging meto become the man God designed me to be—and always supporting me along the way.Lastly, thank God for my son Elijah and daughter Zarah forentertaining me, humbling me, and inspiring me.

INTRODUCTION

Dear Reader

I’m very excited about the Middle School Rules series.

I wasn’t always the biggest, the fastest, or the smartest growing up. I was actually quite small, hence the nickname Peanut.

My experiences growing up molded me and helped me become the man I am today. I made many mistakes and suffered some setbacks, but I always searched for the lessons.

I’m not that different from you all, as you will see in this book. I faced some of the same challenges that you may be dealing with. Not if, but when you have trials, my hope is that you can rely on some of my rules to guide you through your struggle.

Some of my closest friends don’t even know some of these defining childhood stories, but I wanted to share them with you. I hope you can relate to me and learn something, so you can overcome your challenge and reflect proudly on how you handled it.

These rules aren’t just meant to be for this book. They are also instilled in my own children.

I was blessed to have two wonderful parents, who did an amazing job of raising me and teaching me right from wrong. But I’ve also been extremely blessed to have so many other relatives, mentors, and friends who have helped me along the way.

Guidance doesn’t always come from family. It can come from many sources, and I encourage you to be on the lookout for the people who want to have a positive influence in your life.

Be blessed,

Charles Tillman

FOREWORD

On a sunny day in June 2003, Charles “Peanut” Tillman walked into our home and into our hearts. My wife, Deanna, and I were running a leadership and life skills camp for the Chicago Bears’ 2003 rookie class. Within 24 hours of getting to know Peanut, Deanna turned to me and proclaimed, “He is going to be a superstar in the NFL.”

I laughed that off. “How on earth can you tell?”

She replied, “Trust me. I can tell.”

Well, she was right. Peanut has not only become a superstar in the NFL, but a superstar in life.

Many athletes struggle after their professional playing career ends. I was fortunate. I was an All American for my athletic and academic success at the University of Illinois, where I left as the school’s all-time leading receiver. Like Peanut, I was selected in the second round, though I started my NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. After being traded to the Detroit Lions, I suffered a severe Achilles injury during my third season. But my story was only beginning.

I’ve spent 40 years in the financial services business, recruiting, training, and developing the most field management leaders in the history of Northwestern Mutual. I’m a national speaker, voted Best Speaker at the NFL Rookie Symposium six times.

I’ve met many great men in my life, but Peanut is one of the most remarkable. In this book, you’ll see Peanut’s grit, a word that reflects work ethic but also toughness. What makes Peanut truly special is that he combines grit with zest: a charisma and love for life.

Most people who become successful in life had a role model: someone they looked up to, respected, and learned from. Peanut had many successful men and women in his life that he listened to. They helped him become the man he is today. The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman is a book about Peanut’s life. But it is also a book that you can learn from. It can make Peanut one of your mentors.

Don’t just read this book… study it.

John Wright

CEO Wright Financial Group, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Peanut’s Family

Chapter 2: Family Matters

Chapter 3: Peanut Goes to Church

Chapter 4: Stick Together

Chapter 5: Game On!

Chapter 6: Duck Protects Peanut

Chapter 7: Seeing the World

Chapter 8: New Places

Chapter 9: New Food

Chapter 10: New Friend

Chapter 11: Fireworks in Germany

Chapter 12: Lost in the Shuffle

Chapter 13: Foreigner at Home

Chapter 14: Road Trip!

Chapter 15: Peanut and Duck Are Profiled

Chapter 16: And in This Corner!

Chapter 17: Peanut Slips in School

Chapter 18: Dealing with Death

Chapter 19: Football Dream

Chapter 20: Encourage, Don’t Discourage

Chapter 21: Cove

Chapter 22: Finally, Football

Chapter 23: TDY

Chapter 24: Asking for Help

Chapter 25: The Best Player Plays

Chapter 26: A Long Time Coming

Chapter 27: The “Demotion”

Chapter 28: Divorce

Chapter 29: Junior Year Blues

Chapter 30: The Wild Ride

Chapter 31: Peanut Goes to a Party

Chapter 32: Peanut’s Day Off

Chapter 33: Committing Goals to Writing

Chapter 34: Expecting the Worst

Chapter 35: Mrs. Hodge

Chapter 36: Playoff Push

Chapter 37: Getting the Call

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Peanut’s Family

Rule: Respect, Respect, Respect

Chicago boasts one of the finest skylines in the world. Everywhere you look, beautiful buildings rise high into the sky, including the famous 102-story Sears Tower (most recently called the Willis Tower). But in late February 1981, a heavy fog swallowed the city. If you stood outside, you could barely see across the street.

In that cold, foggy weather, on February 23rd, Charles Anthony Tillman was born, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on 59th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. Then the fog lifted, and the temperature soared—all the way to the mid-50s. That’s really warm for a Chicago winter day.

Weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces at birth, he was the second child—and second boy—born to Tiny and Lil’ Donald Tillman.

Charles had chubby cheeks and big, bright eyes: traits Aunt Renee shared with him.

But the first time she saw him, Aunt Renee noticed a slight point at the top of his head, which is common for newborns. She said with a grin, “Look at that little peanut-headed boy.” And that’s how Charles got his nickname: Peanut.

Many of Peanut’s relatives had nicknames:

Tiny or Momma: Mom—Arbria. She was small!

Lil’ Donald or Deddy: Dad—but his real name was Donald Jr. He was big!

Duck: Brother—Donald (after the famous Disney duck)

Gummy Bear or Granddeddy: Grandfather—Donald Sr.

Pooh: Aunt—Prudence

Lieutenant Dan: Aunt—Renee (after the character in the movie Forrest Gump)

Bev: Aunt—Beverly

As Peanut grew, he was always smiling and showing off his deep dimples. He was constantly on the move too, searching for new adventures. He found plenty, especially when his family moved to Louisiana. Peanut was two years old.

Just after lunch one day, Tiny called her husband. She was very upset.

“Peanut is gone! Peanut is gone!”

Lil’ Donald rushed home. He quickly realized that the family’s red Doberman Pinscher, Samson, was also missing.

“Peanut! Samson! Where are you?” he yelled.

Tiny and Lil’ Donald searched throughout the house, peeking under beds, throwing open closets, and even looking behind curtains.

Then Lil’ Donald had a thought. Could Peanut be outside?

That didn’t seem possible. Could he have escaped the house and taken the dog for an adventure? Just in case, Lil’ Donald opened the back door and walked outside. At the bottom of the sloping hill in their backyard, there was a sandbox. Lil’ Donald watched as Peanut gleefully tossed sand up into the air while Samson dutifully sat just two feet away in the grass.

Lil’ Donald didn’t get mad. He was surprised. Peanut was still in diapers, after all. But as Peanut got older, Lil’ Donald started to yell his real name more often. When Peanut was in trouble, he would hear, “Charles Anthony Tillman!”

Peanut and Duck called their father Deddy, which sort of sounds like Daddy. Deddy had strict rules, and Peanut sometimes broke them.

Deddy and Momma’s Rules

Lil’ Donald was in the Army. He expected his children to obey the rules, which included

1. Honor your elders and address them with respect, meaning no bad attitudes, and do not reply with “Huh?” or “What?”

2. Speak clearly and properly, without slang.

“Me and Duck are figuring to…” Peanut once began.

“What did you say?” Deddy firmly asked.

“I mean, Duck and I…”

3. Open doors for ladies.

4. Say, “Thank you” whenever appropriate.

Peanut quickly learned that if he was in trouble, obeying rule number one was always a good idea.

Chapter 2

Family Matters

Rule: Look Out for Each Other

Peanut’s grandparents worked hard to keep the family close—and food was the key.

Granddeddy specialized in cooking breakfast, and he always made way too much. Peanut and his brother Duck didn’t complain though!

Granddeddy’s Breakfast Menu

Pancakes

Homemade hash browns

Grits

Bacon

Sausage

Eggs—any way you want them

Everyone in the family was a great cook. Grandma Alice, who was Lil’ Donald’s mother, made the best dinner rolls, with just enough butter, and her Red Velvet cake was a family favorite. Cousins, aunts, and uncles would gather for cookouts and delicious fish fries. The family loved good food and good music. Grandma Alice adored dancing to The Temptations, The O’Jays, and Marvin Gaye, which all had popular music hits at the time.

Peanut and his cousins would make up dance routines too. Other times, they would play tag in the yard.

Peanut and Duck really liked the family gatherings because they didn’t always get to hang out with their extended family. Lil’ Donald was in the Army, so the family had to move often, usually every couple of years. Family time was special, especially when Uncle Charlie, which everyone pronounced Cholly, was there. He was the youngest of the aunts and uncles—and he was the coolest.

Each time Peanut’s family would return to Chicago, Uncle Charlie would take Peanut and Duck on a shopping trip. He spoiled them! Whatever the hottest shoe was at the time—whether it was Jordan, Fila, Reebok, or adidas—Uncle Charlie bought a pair for each boy. Uncle Charlie loved shoes. He had the biggest shoe collection the boys had ever seen, and he wore lots of gold jewelry.

After the shopping spree, Uncle Charlie would give each of the boys $40.

“Thanks, Uncle Charlie!” Peanut and Duck would say.

When Uncle Charlie would see his buddies or acquaintances, he would say, “These are my nephews.”