Pop Culture Daddy Hall of Fame III: Cubs Over Bears

Charles Tillman, cornerback of the Chicago Bears made some minor news this week by voicing his intention to be at his wife's side for the birth of their baby - even if it meant he would miss this weekend's game against the Houston Texans.  Apparently, according to the writer, there were some detractors who claimed that he had a duty to be on the field since players only play in 16 games a year.  "Rubbish," I say. 

The fact that there is even any debate as to where Tillman should be is ridiculous.  We're talking about the start of a new life that he helped create.  We're talking about being by his wife as she goes through one of the hardest things a living being has to go through.  How many times has she probably stood by him as he goes about his "business" of playing a game?  How many times has she picked up the slack that enables him to pursue excellence on the grid-iron?  How can anyone expect that her needs at a time like this would be relegated to second fiddle because football's fan base takes the game a little too seriously?

I say, way to step up and be a man Tillman, despite the pressures of your marketplace. Good on you for choosing to be a husband and a father first before being a football player.  Truth be told very few people will remember Tillman the football player in 50 years...sure he'll probably be part of some nice montages, maybe even make it to the hall of fame.  But really...can you name the top cornerback from 50 years ago?  How about QB's?  That's a little easier, but tell me, do you remember the games that Unitas or Tarkenton missed?  I can't...it doesn't make a difference to their legacy as a football player.  But I bet you their families would be able to tell you the things they missed because of football.

My point is, for all of us, we have to measure our legacy against things and people that actually matter - against those that our choices really have an effect on.  That's why it has been easy for me to take parental leave for each of my kids - two years out of a 35 year career isn't going to be missed, at the end of it all.  But 2 years given to my family now has had a tremendous effect now and will be remembered down the road possibly through the next generation.  Tillman's kids and grandkids will be talking about him long after crazed football fans have shifted their attention to the next generation of Bears...they'll share stories of Tillman the husband and father that surely will eclipse the memories of Tillman the cornerback held by the masses.

So here's to Charles Tillman and his family as they prepare for their new arrival!  May they be blessed for making the right decision and for being an example and an inspiration to the masses.