Mike Tilleman

Michael John Tilleman (born March 30, 1944 in Chinook, Montana) is a former American football player. He played defensive tackle in the NFL for 11 seasons (1966–76).

Early life

Tilleman was born and raised on a ranch near Zurich, Montana by Henry and Irma Tilleman (née D'Hooge). He was a prep star at Chinook High School and attended the University of Montana on scholarship.

Playing career

Tilleman played for the Grizzlies from 1963 to 1964, where he was a second team All-Big Sky Conference selection in both seasons. After graduating from UM, he bypassed his senior season to sign with the Minnesota Vikings who had selected him with the 163rd pick of the 1965 NFL Draft. He was drafted in earlier rounds by the Kansas City Chiefs but opted for the Vikings because the NFL was a stronger league than the AFL.

He played for four different NFL teams during his pro career: two years for the Minnesota Vikings, he was drafted in the expansion draft by the New Orleans Saints and hence an original Saint, two years for the Houston Oilers bought out his option with the Oilers and was traded for a first-round draft choice by the Atlanta Falcons to get him to Atlanta. He finished his pro career in Atlanta. An offensive lineman once commented that he would rather catch javelins for an hour than to take head slaps from Mike Tilleman.

Personal life

Mike and his wife Gloria live in Havre, Montana where they run Tilleman Motor Company, a local General Motors dealership. They have three grown children—Craig, Suzanne and Christopher.

Mike Tilleman hosts a celebrity Pheasant hunt – Legends for Lights ( www.legendsforlights.com ) where past NFL legends come to Havre, Montana every Fall and all money raised is donate to the Northern Lights Athletic Foundation for the MSU-Northern athletic program providing scholarships and paying for one full-time coaching position.