Tillman Resigns In Regina

((HT: Regina Leader-Post/McCormick))

It was, without a doubt, the longest week in the life of now-former Saskatchewan Roughriders GM Eric Tillman ((pictured facing the scrum one last time, thanks Regina Leader-Post/Schlosser)).

His trial for sexual assault was scheduled to start on Monday, but he immediately entered a guilty plea once the proceeding got underway.

Tuesday was his sentencing and he was granted an absolute discharge. It meant that he was guilty of the offense, but there would be no impact on a criminal record. The judge thought the act, under medication, was uncharacteristic of Tillman.

Wednesday was the first day of meetings among the Green Riders Board of Directors and CEO Jim Hopson to decide what to do after the judge's decision was handed down.

Friday Tillman offered his resignation, and it was accepted by the Board.
You knew it was coming, and it was the best move for everyone involved considering how much the team is part of the fabric of the province- and vice versa.

Tillman got it when he took the job, and he got it when it was time to go...

"It was obvious this place was split, so I will stop the way I started," Tillman said. "At my opening press conference 40 months ago I said that the 'S' on the helmet stood for Saskatchewan and that is bigger than any of us. That hasn't changed in 40 months and I gave my heart and soul to this franchise. It's important to learn from life and your worst mistakes and worst moments. Trust me, I have (learned)."

Here's the first part of Tillman's good-bye...
((HT: Regina Leader-Post))


The rest of the coverage from Regina can be found here... it includes the responses from Tillman and CEO Jim Hopson...

Tillman screwed up. He gets that... the absolute discharge withstanding... which, the HQ is sure, will still resonate within the Green Riders community for quite some time. Tillman will be back- his talent will make it so.

But the clean start was absolute necessary...

Tillman Avoids Criminal Record

((HT: Regina Leader-Post/Pruden))

Current Saskatchewan Roughriders GM Eric Tillman ((pictured crying, thanks Leader-Post/Schlosser)) got his absolute discharge...

As a result, he'll still have the sexual assault as a conviction, but it won't appear on any kind of criminal record.

Provincial Judge Murray Hinds thinks TIllman's behavior with a 16-year-old babysitter was directly tied to his using prescription meds...

"I am of the view that Mr. Tillman's behaviour was out of character for him and that no further steps are required to deter or rehabilitate Mr. Tillman or to protect society."

The HQ thinks that Tillman and the Green Riders will catch an inordinate amount of hell as a group- which means that Tillman will catch hell on his own when the Riders dismiss him from his job.

When that happens, the HQ thinks Tillman will respond with some kind of lawsuit...

"I want to make it very, very clear that a mistake was made," Tillman said outside the courtroom. "And as I said yesterday, I assume full responsibility for it . . . Although it was without one ounce of malice or intent, it's a regret that I'll take to my grave."

Ya think...???

Here's Tillman's interview from outside the courtroom, thanks to GlobalTV Regina...

Here's the Leader-Post's version...


WEDNESDAY EARLY, EARLY UPDATE:

The Green Riders Board of Directors is currently deliberating Tillman's future... a decision may come after a meeting later today after conferring with president and CEO Jim Hopson.

If you listened to the comments above ((after the Drew Barrymore commercial, of course)) Tillman would like to stay, but he's resigned to a fate either way...

If you didn't, here's part of what he said...

"I hope that my relationship continues with the club," said Tillman. "If it doesn't, then I will have a great deal of gratitude for the last three years for the privilege of being here. It will not end acrimoniously but in the end they will speak to that, not me."