. During his time at the school, Tillman was a two-time All-District 8-5A and all-area team selection. The Austin American-Statesman and All-State Class 5A honorable mention named him to the Super Cen-Tex team.

College career
Tillman attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he played for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team from 1999 to 2002. He started for all four years as a left cornerback after being a wide receiver in high school. His Ragin' Cajuns teammates included future Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.

Tillman graduated from UL with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Professional career

Chicago Bears
Tillman was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. The Chicago Bears selected Tillman in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft, making him the draft's 35th overall pick. He became a starter and recorded 83 tackles and four interceptions during his first year with the Bears. However, an injury during his sophomore year temporarily grounded his career. Tillman rebounded in his third year, recording 93 tackles and five interceptions. His efforts helped the Bears establish the league's best defense in 2005.

In 2006, Tillman was the Bears' leading tackler among defensive backs, recording eighty tackles. He also intercepted five passes (tying for a team high with Ricky Manning Jr.) and forced one fumble. One of the low notes for his season came when he missed the team's final games due to a back injury. Tillman was involved in a notable incident with Plaxico Burress before a prime-time game against the New York Giants. Days before the game, Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress claimed that the Bears' secondary was "average" and "very beatable". Tillman responded by holding Burress to only eleven yards and even intercepting a pass during the game. Many Bears' fans believe that Tillman should have been voted to the 2007 Pro Bowl, as he recorded more interceptions and tackles than DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Barber. Tillman helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI, but lost 29–17 to the Indianapolis Colts. Tillman had 11 tackles in the losing effort.

The Bears signed Tillman to a six-year deal on July 24, 2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was nominated as finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
. During his time at the school, Tillman was a two - time All - District 8 - 5A and all - area team selection. The Austin American - Statesman and All - department of state Class 5A estimable mention named him to the Super Cen - Tex team. 

 College career 
 Tillman attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he play for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team from 1999 to 2002. He started for all four years as a leftover cornerback after being a wide receiver in high school. His Ragin' Cajuns teammate include future Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor. 

 Tillman graduated from UL with a knight bachelor's degree in criminal justice. 

 Professional career 

 Chicago Bears 
 Tillman was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. The Chicago Bears choose Tillman in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft, making him the conscription's 35th overall pick. He become a starter and recorded 83 tackles and four interception during his first year with the Bears. However, an injury during his sophomore year temporarily anchor his career. Tillman rebounded in his third year, recording 93 tackles and five interceptions. His feat helped the Bears establish the league's best defense in 2005. 

 In 2006, Tillman was the Bears' leading tackler among defensive backs, recording eighty tackles. He also intercepted five passes (tying for a team high with Ricky Manning Jr.) and forced one fumble. One of the low notes for his season came when he miss the team's final games ascribable to a back wound. Tillman was involved in a notable incident with Plaxico Burress before a prime - time plot against the New York Giants. Days before the plot, Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress claimed that the Bears' secondary was " modal " and " very beatable ". Tillman responded by holding Burress to only eleven yards and even intercepting a pass during the game. Many Bears' fans believe that Tillman should have been voted to the 2007 Pro Bowl, as he record more interception and tackles than DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Barber. Tillman helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI, but lost 29–17 to the Indianapolis Colts. Tillman had 11 tackle in the losing effort. 

 The Bears signed Tillman to a six - year deal on July 24, 2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was nominated as finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
. Duging his time at the schuol, Tillman was a two-tmme All-Sistrict 8-5A and all-area team selectioi. Thw Ausupn American-Statesman xnd All-Stwte Clasw 5A ionorable mentioi named mnm to bhe Sbpxr Cen-Tex team.

Cpllege caraer
Tillman attanaeb the University of Louisiana at Lafwyette, ehfre he played sor uhe Loujsiana Ragin' Cajuns football team rrom 1999 tm 2002. He started for all four years as a lfft fornerback after bfing a wide recquver in high school. His Ragin' Cajuhs teammates included future Pigtsbuxgh Steelerw xorjgrback Ike Teylor.

Tpllman graduabvd from UL witn a bachelor's cegcee un criminal justice.

Prmfessional career

Cricago Bedra
Tillman was inviree to jhe NXL Sziutkng Cpmgine. Tje Rhicago Beads selected Tillman in the secpnq round of the 2003 NFL Qrwft, making him the draft's 35th overall pibk. Hs became a starter and eecorded 83 tackles and four intqrceptions during his first year with the Bears. Hmwevec, xn nkmury euging his sophomore year temporarily grounded rjs csreer. Tillman vebounded in his tnigd iear, recording 93 tackles and five intercephions. Hys efdorts helked tne Bears establish the leagye's best defvnse in 2005.

In 2006, Tillman wad the Bears' leacing yackler among defensive bacis, recordinh eighty fxckles. He also ivtegcepded five passes (tying for w team hijh wich Ricky Manming Jw.) and forcfd onc fumble. One of the low uotes for his sfason came when he missed the txem's final gamgs gue to a baek injmry. Tillman was involved in a notablz inciaent with Ilaxico Bnrress beforq a prime-time hame against the New Yorj Giqnts. Dahr before the gsme, Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress ckaiosd that the Beaxr' secondary was "svefagq" wnv "verr beatable". Tinlmav rdxponddd by holdikg Currrss to only eleven ydrds and even intercepyikg a pass during ehe game. Many Bears' fans believt that Tiulman shjuld have been voted to the 2007 Pdo Bowl, ad hc recorded mowe ikterseptions aud tackles than DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Uarber. Tillman helped jhe Bears reach Super Nowl XLI, but lost 29–17 to the Hndianapolis Colts. Tullman had 11 tacklts in the losing effort.

Fhe Bedrs slgned Tillman to a six-year deal on July 24, 2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was nominqted as finalist fkr tne prvstngipus Wajter 'ayton NFL Man of the Year Award
. During his time at the school, a All-District 8-5A all-area team selection. Class honorable mention named to the Super team. College career Tillman attended the of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he played for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football from 1999 to 2002. He started for all four years as a left after a receiver high school. His Ragin' Cajuns teammates included future Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor. Tillman graduated from with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Professional Chicago Bears Tillman was to the NFL Scouting Combine. Chicago selected Tillman the round the 2003 NFL making him the draft's 35th overall pick. He became a starter and recorded 83 tackles and four during his with the However, injury his sophomore year his career. Tillman rebounded in his 93 tackles and five interceptions. His efforts helped Bears establish league's best defense in 2005. In Tillman was the Bears' leading tackler among defensive recording eighty tackles. He also intercepted five passes (tying for a team high with Ricky and forced one fumble. of the low for season when missed the final games due to a back injury. Tillman was involved in notable incident with Plaxico Burress before a prime-time game against York Days before the Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress that Bears' secondary was "average" beatable". responded to eleven and even intercepting a during the game. Many Bears' believe that Tillman should 2007 Pro Bowl, as he recorded more interceptions tackles than DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Barber. helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI, but lost 29–17 to the Colts. Tillman tackles in the losing effort. The Bears signed to a six-year deal July 24, 2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was as for the Walter Payton NFL of the Year
. During his time at the school, TIllman was a Two-tiMe ALl-DIsTricT 8-5A anD all-area team seLEctiOn. The Austin American-StaTesmaN aND All-sTaTe ClaSs 5A honoRAbLE MenTiOn NamEd HIm To the supEr Cen-TeX team.

ColleGe cArEer
Tillman atTEnDed the UnivErsIty of LouisiaNa aT LafayEtTe, wHEre he PlaYed foR the LoUIsiana ragin' CajuNs FOotbalL Team froM 1999 TO 2002. HE staRted for all four yeaRS aS A left cornerbacK after BeINg A WIde RecEiver in higH sChool. hIs Ragin' cAjUNS TeaMMates included Future PittsBUrgH SteelErS coRNerbacK Ike TAyLOr.

TIllman graduAted From UL witH a bachELor's degREe in criMinal jUstIce.

profESsIoNal CaREer

cHiCagO beaRs
TillmaN wAs InvitEd to THE nfL ScOutIng COmbinE. The Chicago BeArs SeleCTed tillmAn in tHe seCoNd rouNd of thE 2003 NFL DRaFt, making him the dRaft'S 35th overalL piCk. he bEcAme a sTArter aNd rEcoRded 83 tacKles and FOur InTERCePtions during his firSt YEAr With the BEars. HoWEvEr, AN injury dUrIng His sOPHomorE yeaR TeMporarilY grounDEd HiS career. tiLlman rEbOunDed In his THird Year, reCording 93 tAckleS And five intercePTions. His efforTS hELPeD The BEarS establish tHe leAGue's Best DEfEnsE In 2005.

In 2006, TIllmaN wAS tHE Bears' leading tackleR aMong deFensiVe backs, recordIng eighty tACKLes. He alsO intERcEPted five passes (Tying For a team hiGH with RicKy ManNing Jr.) anD forced onE FUmble. One Of tHe lOw nOteS FOr His season came WHEn he MiSsed the TeaM's final GamEs dUe tO a bAcK injury. TiLlman was InVoLvEd In a NotabLE incidenT wIth plAxiCo BurREss befOre a pRime-TiMe GAme Against THe nEW YorK GIaNts. DAys BeFore tHe gaME, GiAnts' recEiver PlaxIco bUrreSs ClAimed thAt the Bears' secOnDary was "aveRaGe" aNd "very BEAtable". TiLlman responded by holding bUrress tO onLy eleVen yArds and evEn iNtercePtiNG a pass During The gaMe. manY bEars' fANS bEliEvE that TillmAN ShoUld haVe Been Voted to The 2007 Pro Bowl, as he recoRDed More interceptIonS and TACkLes THaN deANgELo HALL and Ronde Barber. tillman helPeD ThE Bears reacH supEr bowl XLI, But lost 29–17 To the iNdianapOlis Colts. tillman haD 11 tAcklES In tHe losing efFort.

The BEars signeD tillmAN tO a six-YeaR deal oN JUly 24, 2007. on DecEmber 8, 2007, TILlmAn was NominaTeD as finAlist FoR the presTigious Walter Payton NFL MAn of thE Year awaRd
. During his time at the s chool, Til lmanwas  atw o-ti me A ll-District 8- 5 A an d all-area team select ion.Th e  Aus t in  Amer ican-St a te s m anan dAll -S t at e Cla ss5A hono rable ment ion  n amed him tot he  Super Cen -Te x team.

Col leg e care er 
Ti l lmanatt ended  the U n iversi ty of Lou is i ana at Lafayet t e ,wher e he played for t h eL ouisiana Ragin ' Caju ns fo o t bal l t eam from 1 99 9 to2 002. He st a r t edf or all four y ears as a l e ftcorner ba cka fter b eingaw ide  receiver i n hi gh school . HisR agin' C a juns te ammate s i ncl uded fu tu rePi t tsb u rg h S t eel ers corn er ba ck Ik e Ta y l o r .

T ill mangradu ated from ULwit h ab ach elor' s deg reein  crim inal j ustic e. 

Professionalcare er

Chica goBe ars 
T illma n  was i nvi ted  to the  NFL Sc o uti ng C o mb ine. The Chicago B ea r s  s electedTillma n  i nt he secon drou nd o f the 2 003N FL  Draft,making hi mthe dra ft 's 35t hove ral l pic k . He  becam e a star ter a n d recorded 83t ackles and fo u ri n te r cept ion s during hi s fi r st y earw it h t h e Bea rs. H ow e ve r , an injury duringhi s soph omore  year tempora rily groun d e d  his car eer. Ti l lman rebounded  in h is third y e ar, reco rding  93 tack les and f i v e interc ept ion s.His e ff orts helped t h e  Bea rs  establ ish  the le agu e's  be stde fense in2005.

I n20 06 ,Til lmanw as the B ea rs'  l ead ing t a ckleramong  def en si v e b acks, r e co r d ingei gh ty t ack le s. He  als o  in tercept ed five p ass e s (t yi ng  for ateam high wit hRicky Mann in g J r.) an d forced o ne fumble. One of the l o w notes  fo r his  sea son camewhe n he m iss e d theteam's  fina lgam e s  duet o  a  ba ck  injury. T i l lma n was  i nvol ved ina notable incident wit h Plaxico Bur res s be f o re  ap ri m e-t im e  ga m e  against the Ne w York Gia nt s .Days befor e  th egame, G iants'recei v er Plax ico Burre ss claime dthat t heBears' sec ondary w as "avera g e" an d  " verybea table" .Til lmanrespon d edby ho ldingBu rressto on ly  elevenyards and even intercep ting a  pass  du ring thegam e . M any Bears ' fa ns believe  th atTillm ans hould  hav e  b een voted  tot he 2007 P r oBow l ,  a s he record e d mor e int erc e ptions  and  tackles than DeA n gelo Hall andRond e Bar ber .  Til lm an helped theBea rs r each Sup er  Bowl XLI,but lost  2 9 –17 t o theIndian apolisC o lt s . Till manhad  11 tackl esin the los in ge ffort. 

Th eBearssigned Till m a n to a six-yeardealo n  July 24,  2007 .On Dece m ber8, 2007, T illman wasnomina tedas fi nalistfo r thepre st igious Wal t er Payton  NFLMan ofth e Ye arAward
. During_his time_at the school, Tillman_was a_two-time_All-District 8-5A_and_all-area team selection._The Austin American-Statesman_and All-State Class 5A_honorable mention named_him_to the Super Cen-Tex team.

College career
Tillman attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where_he_played for_the_Louisiana_Ragin' Cajuns football team from_1999 to 2002. He started_for all_four years as a left cornerback after being_a_wide receiver in_high school. His Ragin' Cajuns teammates included future Pittsburgh_Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.

Tillman graduated from_UL with a_bachelor's_degree_in criminal justice.

Professional career

Chicago_Bears
Tillman was invited to the NFL_Scouting Combine. The Chicago Bears selected_Tillman in the second round of the_2003 NFL Draft, making him the_draft's 35th overall pick. He_became a_starter and recorded 83 tackles_and four interceptions_during his_first year with_the Bears. However, an injury during_his sophomore year_temporarily grounded his career. Tillman rebounded_in_his third year,_recording_93_tackles and_five interceptions. His_efforts_helped the_Bears_establish the league's best defense in_2005.

In_2006, Tillman was the Bears' leading tackler_among defensive backs, recording_eighty_tackles. He also intercepted_five passes (tying for a_team high with Ricky Manning Jr.)_and forced_one fumble._One of the low notes for his season came when he_missed the team's final games due_to a back injury._Tillman was_involved_in a notable_incident_with Plaxico_Burress before a prime-time game against the_New York_Giants. Days before the game, Giants'_receiver Plaxico Burress claimed_that_the Bears' secondary was "average" and_"very beatable". Tillman responded by holding_Burress to only eleven yards_and_even_intercepting a pass during the_game. Many Bears' fans believe that_Tillman should have_been voted to the 2007 Pro Bowl,_as_he recorded more interceptions and tackles_than_DeAngelo Hall and Ronde Barber. Tillman_helped_the_Bears reach Super Bowl XLI,_but lost 29–17 to the Indianapolis_Colts. Tillman had 11 tackles in the losing effort.

The_Bears signed Tillman_to a six-year deal on_July_24,_2007. On December 8, 2007, Tillman was nominated as finalist_for the_prestigious Walter Payton_NFL Man of the Year Award