THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Eric Tillman helped lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a Grey Cup victory, but has left the team in defeat and disgrace after admitting he sexually grabbed his children’s teenage babysitter.
Tillman resigned Friday from his role as general manager of the Riders, saying it would be easier for all involved if he moved on.
"I think this was the right decision for our family and I think it’s the right decision for the football team," said Tillman at a news conference.
"This team has a chance to be phenomenal over the next few years and I think set standards that people haven’t seen here in a long, long time. It needs a united fan base and there were just too many divisions."
It’s an assessment the CFL team agreed with.
"I think it’s appropriate because Eric believes that he can’t be successful and happy here, but also given the division in the fan base about this issue," said Rider president and CEO Jim Hopson. "You can not make a decision based on fan polling and polling of people in general but I’d say this is one that has really brought out strong emotions on both sides."
Hopson said people were "very vocal about forgiveness and Eric having paid a price and keeping him because of his value to the organization." There were others who equally as adamant that Tillman had to go, said Hopson.
The team and fans have been debating Tillman’s future since he pleaded guilty to sexual assault Monday.
Court heard Tillman was supposed to be at a team board meeting Aug. 6, 2008, but he was encouraged to go home by staff who thought he was acting strangely.
The girl, who was 16 at the time, was watching Tillman’s two children at the family’s Regina home when he arrived. Court heard she bent over as she fed one of the kids. When she stood up, Tillman put his hands on her hips with his fingers in her belt loops and "pulled the rear end of the complainant into himself."
The contact was "clearly of a sexual nature," said Crown prosecutor Bill Burge.
Defence lawyer Aaron Fox said Tillman wasn’t thinking clearly because he had taken a double dose of sleep aids and pain medication for a sore back. Employees at the Riders office described him as being "loopy" that day and Tillman doesn’t remember what happened, Fox told court.
The judge said he believed Tillman was sorry for his behaviour and granted him an absolute discharge. That means he doesn’t have a criminal record.
Tillman had been on paid administrative leave from the CFL club since he was charged last February. However, he continued to work behind the scenes from his home throughout the season.
Originally from Mississippi, Tillman has enjoyed great success in the CFL as a general manager. He helped lead the Riders to the Grey Cup championship in 2007 and led the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts to Grey Cup titles in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
He has also worked as a television analyst with TSN and Sportsnet.
Tillman also served as the general manager of the expansion Ottawa Renegades for three seasons before returning to broadcasting and ultimately landing the post with the Riders. In July 2008, the team rewarded him with a contract extension through 2010.
When Tillman was hired by the Riders in 2006, he took over a team that had a tarnished reputation in the community because several players ran into trouble with the law.
He preached a message of respect and promised to clean up the team’s image. The Riders adopted a code of conduct requiring players to obey the law, act with honesty and integrity, respect others and take responsibility for their actions.
Tillman said he decided to resign after meeting with Hopson and Roger Brandvold, vice-chair of the Rider board of directors.
"I could see that they were torn," said Tillman.
"This is an emotional, emotional situation and I looked at Jim and Roger and I said ‘Wouldn’t it just be easier for everyone if I stepped down?’ Both of them looked down and at the floor and subtly nodded."
Hopson said the team looked at many factors, including Tillman’s ability to do the job long term, the ability to enforce the code of conduct and the repercussions for the team in the future. Tillman’s resignation speaks to the fact that the team supports the code of conduct.
"Our goal we have stated publicly is to be the most respected CFL franchise … to be a team that people look to with admiration in terms of how we conduct ourselves on and off the field," said Hopson.
"Eric understands that and clearly has paid a very significant price for what has happened."
Hopson said there is no timeframe to hire Tillman’s replacement.
Tillman said he already has an opportunity to work in the United States. Despite his less than stellar exit from Saskatchewan, Tillman said he’d like to remain in the CFL.
"I fully expect to be working in the Canadian Football League at some point in the future," said Tillman.
