Eric Tillman
Encyclopedia
Eric Tillman 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 Cup
s 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.
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He had previously held the same position with the British Columbia Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
(1993–95), Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
(1997), Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades was the most recent name of a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, seven years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded...
(2002–04), and the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
(2006–2010). He won Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
s 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
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
.
Part way through the 2006 CFL season, Tillman was hired as the Roughriders general manager after they fired long time GM Roy Shivers
Roy Shivers
Roy Shivers was the General Manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League from December 24, 1999 until August 21, 2006; the first Black general manager in professional football. He was also a former running back in the National Football League with the St. Louis...
. Tillman was credited with being the brains behind the scenes that allowed Saskatchewan to win their third Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
, in 2007, and he was rewarded with a contract extension through 2010. The coach at the time was former Rider quarterback Kent Austin
Kent Austin
Richard Kent Austin is the Head Coach for the Cornell University Big Red football team. Prior to this, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels football team. He is the former Head Coach of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders...
, the quarterback who won the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
with the Riders in 1989. Other notable signees in Tillman's time were Stevie Baggs
Stevie Baggs
Stevie Baggs is a defensive end for the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was signed to the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL for the 2010 season, however was cut before the team finalized its 53-man roster limit. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
, Weston Dressler
Weston Dressler
Weston Dressler is a professional Canadian football slotback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Roughriders as a street free agent in 2008. He played college football for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.-Early years:Dressler was born in Bismarck,...
, Rob Bagg
Rob Bagg
Rob Bagg is a Canadian football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.-High School:Bagg attended Frontenac Secondary School in Kingston, Ontario from 1999 to 2003...
, Omarr Morgan
Omarr Morgan
Omarr Morgan is a Canadian Football League cornerback who is currently a free agent.In college, Morgan played for Brigham Young University. He was signed as a free agent by Saskatchewan in 1999, but didn't make the team until 2000 when the Roy Shivers regime took over the Roughriders franchise...
(second stint with the team)Yo Murphy
Yo Murphy
Llewellyn "Yo" Murphy is a former Gridiron football player of multiple professional leagues. He is currently the head coach of the Tampa Breeze of the Lingerie Football League. He was originally signed by the BC Lions as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
, Jason Armstead
Jason Armstead
Jason Armstead is a professional Canadian football and American football kick returner and wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
(second stint), as well as re-acquiring the fan favourite in Regina, Corey Holmes
Corey Holmes
Corey Holmes is a former professional Canadian football running back and the current mayor of Metcalfe, Mississippi.- College career :...
.
On January 27, 2009, Tillman was charged with sexual assault
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
. 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
Summary offence
A summary offence is a criminal act in some common law jurisdictions that can be proceeded with summarily, without the right to a jury trial and/or indictment .- United States :...
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
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. 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.