This past Sunday, I was taking in the highly-anticipated playoff match-up between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. It was pegged to be the “game of the week,” with MVP-candidates Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen facing off to see who would play the Kansas City Chiefs in the next round of the playoffs.

Sure…..it didn’t live up to the Commanders/Lions game, in my opinion. But it was still a fun one nonetheless.

During the game though, there was one moment that really stood out to me. It happened midway through the 4th quarter, when Ravens TE Mark Andrews lost the ball because of a……’Peanut Punch?’

Terrel Bernard punches it out and the Bills take over

pic.twitter.com/uCR5R9lmDl

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) January 20, 2025

That’s right, sports fans; Bills LB Terrel Bernard made the play of the night on Andrews in Orchard Park, when he forced the All-Pro to lose the ball in open space. It was a moment during the game that stood out, showing the versatility and athleticism that the former Baylor Bear possesses.

The best part about the play though, was how it was a great homage to former Chicago Bears’ CB Charles Tillman, who’s use of the ‘Peanut Punch’ really helped to revolutionize the game. After the play, the announcers even gave a shoutout to the 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year, saying that it was a move that really came to be during his time in Chicago.

Tillman’s career, for those of you who are unaware, spanned 13 seasons (12 with Chicago, 1 with Carolina). In those 13 years, the 2x Pro Bowler compiled a stat-line that consisted of;

168 G, 83 AV, 38 INTs, 675 Yds, 8 TDs, 44 FFs

He was a legend in the Windy City, playing on defenses with the likes of Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Tim Jennings, and even Tommie Harris. He became a go-to corner for the Bears’ franchise that fans could get behind and cheer for. The man was an absolute legend, and one of the most well-respected players in the league.

But the most memorable part of his career? It had to be the ‘Peanut Punch.’ It HAD TO BE his uncanny ability to separate the opposition from the football. This man was an ASSASSIN when it came to the punch, which lead to him racking up 44 forced fumbles in his career, which LEADS DBs all time.

The most forced fumbles ever by a DB.@peanuttillman’s Peanut Punch was devastating 🥜🥊 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/72zurzSFSn

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) March 8, 2019

It’s an iconic move that changed the game for years to come. Ever since he retired, whenever we see a defensive player punch a ball from the clutches of someone on offense, we hear/see someone reference #33 in some capacity. Whether it’s the announcers bringing up his name during a broadcast, or someone referencing the phrase ‘Peanut Punch’ on social media; the swift swing at the football has forever become synonymous with the former Bear.

So because of that, in my head……why wouldn’t he be in the Hall of Fame? Why wouldn’t someone who the league LOVED, and who changed the game like he did, be given the gold jacket? I mean if we’re going to reference ‘Peanut’ whenever someone makes a play like Bernard did on Sunday…..then you would THINK that his name holds a great deal of importance? Right?

It just makes sense to me. Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman is one of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of cleats, and his legacy should be remembered with a bust in Canton. He’s a Chicago legend. He’s an NFL legend. He’s a football legend. GIVE THE MAN HIS JACKET!

But you know what? What do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.