Regular Joes play with pros Bears players join charity tournament

There have been many Sundays when Roselle resident Bob Werbowski has watched the Chicago Bears and sworn he could catch that pass better or cover that wideout like a blanket.
On Wednesday, he and about 100 other Bears fans got a chance to strut their stuff.
They participated in a 14-team charity flag football tournament with cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman and several of his Bears teammates. Tillman's Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge was held in the 90-degree temperatures at Elmhurst College's Langhorst Field.
At $4,000 per team, the money raised will help Tillman's Cornerstone Foundation continue its mission of providing Chicago- area children and youths with educational opportunities and resources.
"This has been awesome," said a sweaty and winded Edi Guerra, whose team was quarterbacked by Bears offensive tackle John Tait.
"How many people can say they played football with the Bears?" the Bloomingdale resident said. "And it's all for charity."
If you're wondering about the 6-foot-3, 312-pound Tait's passing skills, he was seen throwing at least five interceptions. Guerra suggests Tait stick to the offensive line.
Bears free safety Chris Harris said he was surprised by the athleticism and intensity of the competitors, some of whom were over 50.
"I had some of the older, crafty fellas on my team, but they went at it," Harris said. "Some of 'em got some skills. I was impressed."
During the day and into the early evening, each team played three 20-minute games.
The Bears players quarterbacked the teams, but the rules prohibited them from being rushed or sacked.
Despite that rule, many of the regular Joes said they preferred the football games to the usual golf or dinner fundraisers they've attended.
"Everyone has a golf outing these days, but this is way better," said Chris Farrar of Oswego. "I mean I'm actually sweating, getting dirty, having a ball and helping kids at the same time."
Tillman, between games and chugs of water, said he was elated to have 14 teams show up to the inaugural event.
"Man, we can do this every year if we keep getting this kind of support," he said. "We've got about 100 guys and girls out here, some who think they can play, and that's awesome."
Tillman said money raised during the event specifically will benefit two programs.
The "It's Cool to be in School" program rewards Chicago students with perfect attendance by giving them the chance to spend the day with Tillman and his teammates.
The other, Meijer's "Wrap it Up" program, helps underprivileged youths purchase Christmas presents around the holidays. "My teammates have been awesome in supporting me and the foundation," Tillman said.

Author: Justin Kmitch
C Copyright Daily Herald, Paddock Publications, Inc.