Charles “Peanut” Tillman (the nickname came from his grandmother, who said his head looked like a peanut when he was younger) has made a living intercepting opposing quarterbacks as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears. Through his Cornerstone Foundation, he’s hoping to intercept Chicago Public Schools students and make sure they’re on their way to class.

Along with several of his Bears teammates, Tillman recently hosted his Celebrity Gridiron Challenge at Elmhurst College’s Langhorst Field to continue the Foundation’s mission to provide Chicago-area school children with educational opportunities and resources and boost sagging attendance rates.

Q What made you choose to hold this event at Elmhurst College?

A I think Elmhurst was a good fit for the foundation. It was what we were looking for. They did a great job last year and it’s close. It’s great for everybody.

Q What made you want to work with Chicago Public Schools with your foundation?

A I think we chose it because it was a big problem, to be quite honest. A lot of kids really didn’t go to school or had a lot of days of missed attendance. The program, It’s Cool to be in School, that’s the reason we chose that route, to try and get kids in school, because if you’re not in school you can’t learn anything. I think the first step is to get kids to go to school and go to class.

Q What’s the hardest thing about being a cornerback in the NFL?

A You never know what the receivers are going to do. Everything you do is pure anticipation. That’s probably one of the hardest things. And you’re running backward.

Q Have you always had that ability to react so quickly to what your opponent is doing?

A I think each year as a player and an athlete I grow. I still haven’t mastered the game of football or being a corner, and that’s why each year I look forward to the season, because I learn something about myself and the game of football.

Q Does it get hard living in the public eye and being scrutinized all the time?

A Obviously there’s good being in the public eye and there’s bad. The bad is when I’m out with my kids or my wife or my family and I have people coming up for autographs. That’s the bad. I bought a house and somebody put where my address was. That’s stuff you like to keep private.

Q What’s it like at Halas Hall the week before a Green Bay game?

A Actually it’s pretty chill, it’s pretty calm. I think the media hypes it up more than what it really is. Back in the 80s and early 90s I think it was pretty fierce competition and it was a big rivalry, but now we know all those guys. I’m real good friends with Donald Driver and Brett (Favre) and them, so it’s not as bad as it used to be.

Q Do the Bears have a secret rival on par with Green Bay?

A No, I think Green Bay takes it. The other games don’t have all the history.

Q How does the Foundation go about supporting that cause?

A We do it quarterly, so if you have perfect attendance you get me at an assembly and you get a couple extra gifts or incentives. You’re rewarded for going to school.

Q What’s the ultimate goal of the Foundation?

A Say for instance the rate of attendance at Chicago public schools was 50 percent, my goal is to get it to 100 percent, but each year I’d like to try and get (attendance) to go up. If it’s 50 this year let’s do 60 next year.

Q How do you feel about the upcoming season?

A I’m definitely excited about it, considering what our record was last year. I’m definitely looking forward to 2008.

Quick hits
AGE 27
BIRTHPLACE Chicago
COLLEGE Louisiana-Lafayette
STAYING PUT Tillman signed a 6-year contract extension last year to remain a Bear through 2013
WHAT A PICK Tillman and fellow cornerback Nathan Vasher are the Bears’ active leaders in interceptions with 17 each