Barack Obama touts Charles Tillman for Defensive Player of the Year

President Obama mentioned Bears cornerback Charles Tillman as probably the best defensive player in the NFLduring his appearance at halftime on Monday Night Football, and Tillman said that he's honored to be thought so highly of by the President:

"I think it's a huge honor," Tillman said Wednesday. "I'm happy he won. I (congratulate) him and his family. It was a great honor. I was actually asleep when he did the interview. I go to bed early with four kids. I was asleep, but I had a bunch of text messages that morning when I woke up. I definitely thought it was cool to get mentioned by our Commander in Chief. So yeah, thanks for the shout-out."

President Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney were both interviewed by Chris Berman at halftime during Monday night's Saints-Eagles game. The President said of the Bears:

"Best defense in the league right now," Obama said. "You saw (Sunday's) game. (Charles) Tillman may be defensive player of the year the way he's playing."

Tillman, the October NFL defensive player of the month, has forced seven fumbles on the season and has two interceptions. He forced four fumbles alone last Sunday in the Bears' win over the Titans. Tillman, a second-round pick by the Bears in 2003 out of Louisiana-Lafayette, has forced 36 fumbles and snagged 32 interceptions during his career. He also may miss this Sunday's game against the Texans, as his wife is scheduled to give birth to their fourth child on Sunday.