AN ex-NFL player turned Fox Sports analyst has spoken about his dramatic career change.
The former defensive back swapped locking down receivers for trying to lock up criminals.
Charles Tillman played defensive back from 2003 to 2015 predominantly for the Chicago Bears[/caption]
He worked for Fox as an NFL analyst after his playing career[/caption]
Charles Tillman, 44, played cornerback in the league from 2003 to 2015.
He was a two-time Pro Bowl star and earned $51 million during his career mostly with the Chicago Bears.
Tillman still holds NFL records for the most forced fumbles.
He has the single-game record with four and the season-record with 10.
His ability to knock the ball loose with his signature “peanut punch” earned him the nickname “Peanut.”
The former defensive back also had a spell working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.
But his most dramatic change of course came in law enforcement.
Tillman grew up with a military background, with his father Donald a sergeant in the US Army.
He also graduated from the University of Louisiana with a degree in criminal justice.
After retiring from the NFL in 2015, he took part in the FBI’s 20-week training academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Tillman had until his 37th birthday – February 23, 2018 – to earn his badge due to a stipulation that a new agent must be appointed before he or she reaches that age.
The 44-year-old spoke about his reason for the career switch in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“I just wanted to do my part and give back,” he said.
“My dad’s my hero, and I just wanted to get back and get into public service.
“I work with a lot of good people who do some pretty amazing things.
“It’s a thankless job. You don’t get credit for it.
“You do your job. You’re not in the paper.
“You do the job because you don’t want to be in the paper.
“You do it because you’re protecting people.”
Tillman is one of the greatest Chicago Bears to ever play the game.
But he isn’t interested in personal accolades for his law enforcement career.
