Rusty Tillman

Who is Rusty Tillman?

Russell Arthur Tillman is a former American football player who played linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1970 to 1977.

Tillman was nicknamed “The King” for his special teams mastery. He played seven different special teams positions and served as special teams captain from 1974 to 1977. He was a member of Washington’s 1972 NFC Championship squad.

After retiring from football, Tillman stayed in the NFL as an assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks for 16 years, where he coached special teams, tight ends, linebackers before becoming defensive coordinator. He also spent time as assistant with Tampa Bay, Oakland, Indianapolis and Minnesota. He served as head coach of the XFL’s New York/New Jersey Hitmen. Tillman was called "Gutless Rusty" by WWF announcer and sitting Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. But he was also called "The only sane man in the XFL".

Tillman also spent one season assistant coaching a GEJFA team in Washington, the Woodinville Falcons, where his son played. Tillman was a special teams coach in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks in the 1980s and the Minnesota Vikings under Mike Tice.

1979-1982 Seattle Seahawks