Eric Tillman

Eric Tillman

Edmonton Eskimos
Date of birth:	July 24, 1957 (1957-07-24)
Place of birth:	Jackson, Mississippi
Career information
Position(s):	GM/VP (Football Operations)
College:	Mississippi
Organizations
As administrator:
1981 1982–1983 1984–1992 1993–1994 1995–1996 1997 1999 2002–2004 2006–2009 2010–present	Houston Oilers (PR) Montreal Concordes (PP) Senior Bowl (ED) BC Lions (GM) NFL Europe (ED) Toronto Argonauts (GM) Toronto Argonauts (GM) Ottawa Renegades (GM) Saskatchewan Roughriders (GM) Edmonton Eskimos (GM)
Career highlights and awards
Grey Cup Championship (1994, 1997, 2007)

Eric Tillman (born July 24, 1957) is the general manager of the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He had previously held the same position with the British Columbia Lions (1993–95), Toronto Argonauts (1997), Ottawa Renegades (2002–04), and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2006–2010). He won Grey Cups with teams he was managing in 1994, 1997 and 2007.

Tillman previously served as a CFL analyst for TSN and Rogers Sportsnet, and as a scout.

Part way through the 2006 CFL season, Tillman was hired as the Roughriders general manager after they fired long time GM Roy Shivers. Tillman was credited with being the brains behind the scenes that allowed Saskatchewan to win their third Grey Cup, in 2007, and he was rewarded with a contract extension through 2010. The coach at the time was former Rider quarterback Kent Austin, the quarterback who won the Grey Cup with the Riders in 1989. Other notable signees in Tillman's time were Stevie Baggs, Weston Dressler, Rob Bagg, Omarr Morgan(second stint with the team)Yo Murphy, Jason Armstead (second stint), as well as re-acquiring the fan favourite in Regina, Corey Holmes.

On January 27, 2009, Tillman was charged with sexual assault. Regina police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich said the complainant, a 16-year-old girl, made her allegation on August 6, 2008. He was placed on paid administrative leave by the team on February 5, 2009. Tillman testified in his defence that he had been on medication when the incident occurred, while the accuser and his family had accepted his apology. Tillman pleaded guilty to the charge on January 4, 2010, the day his trial on this summary offence was to begin. He was granted an absolute discharge the following day and subsequently received no criminal record but was fined $50.00. Judge Murray Hinds stated that Tillman was "genuinely remorseful [and] in this case there's no suggestion that Mr. Tillman is not generally of good character. He has no prior criminal record. His behaviour towards [the teenage girl] on Aug. 6 appears to be an aberration fuelled by his consumption of two non-prescription drugs, which he used for sleep and pain relief." On January 8, 2010, after a several hour discussion with the board of directors, he resigned from his position as the Roughriders' general manager.

On September 14, 2010, Tillman was hired as General Manager of the Edmonton Eskimos. He took over an Eskimos team that had a league-worst 2-8 record. Tillman stated that his primary goal would be improving the team's Canadian players.

According to Eskimos president Rick LeLacheur, the Eskimo organization had deemed Tillman worthy of a second chance, which was granted to him. Tillman said LeLacheur has already given it to him straight: "There is a second chance, there will not be a third chance." Tillman said he doesn't begrudge those who didn't want him hired. "It's my responsibility to carry myself in a way and conduct myself in a way that will re-earn respect and trust," he said.

External links

• Riderville.ca profile
• CBC.ca profile