Former NFL star Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman quits FBI job after 7 years over immigration role

Chicago Bears legend Charles “Peanut” Tillman quit his job at the FBI after 7 years, claiming he refused orders from superiors over the agency’s immigration crackdown.

Tillman, 44, said he wanted to be “on the right side of history” after vacating his role at the investigation bureau because of disagreements with the Trump administration’s policies.

“Some of the things they’re doing I personally didn’t agree with, [such as] immigration,” Tillman told “The Pivot Podcast” Tuesday. “I didn’t agree with how the administration came in and tried to make individuals do things against their [beliefs]. . . . It didn’t sit right.

‘‘An example being immigration. Everybody was told, ‘You’re going to go after the most dangerous criminals.’ But what you see on TV and what actually was happening was, people weren’t going after that,” the two-time Pro Bowler revealed. “Personally, that didn’t sit right with me, that didn’t sit right with my conscience.”

The two-time Pro Bowler praised his “amazing experiences” with the agency and said he was able to leave because of the money he made throughout his 13-year NFL career — unlike some of his coworkers.

“I was in a different position because of my previous career. I made enough money to where I could just walk away and say, ‘You know what? I’m good,’” Tillman said.

The retired star cornerback revealed he refused the orders from his command leaders at the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, instead of his Chicago field office

“That didn’t sit right with my conscience. Like, you have the ability to refuse an order,” Tillman said. “Just because they say ‘go arrest this person, yeah, you’re my superior, I don’t have to go do that. You can’t make me go do that. You know, I’m not in the military. You gave me an order, but I can totally refuse that order. “

“At the end of the day, I want to be on the right side of history when it’s all said and done,” he added.

Federal agents took down several illegal immigrants in the Chicago area as part of “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Five “illegal aliens” were busted during the operation, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The arrested migrants included one who was convicted of a DUI with a child passenger, an individual convicted of violent assault, and an individual arrested for domestic violence, harassment, obstruction, and felony stalking. 

Tillman grew up in a military household and traveled the world while his father served in the Army.

“I always wanted to play football. And I said ‘look, if football don’t work out, Imma join the Army. I’m gonna be like my dad,” Tillman said.

In 2018, Tillman enrolled at the FBI’s training academy in Quantico, Va, after he retired from the NFL, according to ESPN.

“I just always wanted to do public service,” he said. “I wanted to do my part and serve. It wasn’t in the military but I did it in a different way by serving in the FBI.”

Tillman was drafted in 2003 by the Bears out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He holds the Bears franchise career record in defensive touchdowns, 9, forced fumbles, 42, interception return yards and interception return touchdowns.

Tillman also shares the NFL record for most forced fumbles in a season, 10, a feat accomplished during the 2012 season, tying Osi Umenyiora’s 2010 stat line.

Tillman hung up his cleats after his only season with the Panthers in 2016 and signed a one-day contract months later to retire with the Bears.