Charles Tillman Could Miss Sunday's Bears vs. Texans Contest

Charles Tillman has always been one of my favorite players on the Chicago Bears. So much so in fact that I just bought his jersey. Here’s one more reason to respect Tillman as a man.

In an interview he gave to WSCR-AM 670 this week, Tillman said,

The wife is due any day, so hopefully this baby can stay in until after the game on Sunday. I hope she stays in, I’m having another girl. Monday, for sure, but if she comes Sunday, I think I’m going to have to be at the hospital Sunday. So, I hope she stays in until after Sunday.

As a father, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Tillman’s decision. In fact, our children went to the same child development facility. While I never met Tillman, the woman that ran the center said that Tillman never missed a class with his children. An even deeper love of family came for Tillman through his daughter Tiana, who was born with a form of cardiomyopathy. In 2008, she had to undergo a heart transplant.

At the end of the day, that’s all you have (family),” Tillman said. “This game is important to me, but after what we went through with my middle child (Tiana), to me football will always be second or third in my life. That was a great lesson learned to teach me that when I’m done playing football my family will still always be there for me.

My father taught me that teams should always be built around character. He always said at the end of the day, you win with character. If Tillman’s statements above don’t show character, I do not know what does. Considering the season that Tillman is having and his competition for NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt will be visiting Soldier Field on Sunday night with the Houston Texans, this is absolutely the right decision. Here’s what I know; he will be in the right place Sunday Night.

You can follow me on Twitter @ChicagoBearJew and Hashtag #RML with your thoughts.