REGINA — The general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders wiped tears from his eyes as he stood in court Monday and apologized for sexually assaulting a teenage girl who was babysitting his two children.
Eric Tillman pleaded guilty to the encounter which happened in the summer of 2008 when the girl was 16 years old, blaming his actions on taking too much medication for a bad back.
“I would like to first and foremost apologize to (the teen),” said a tearful Tillman. “She was wonderful to our children. Our children adored her. She had a great relationship with my wife and I think it’s been documented throughout all this (that) we treated her with absolute respect the year that she babysat for us.”
The defence argued for an absolute discharge. The Crown did not oppose a discharge of some kind, but said it’s up to the court to consider whether it should be absolute or conditional. Judge Murray Hinds was to hand down a sentence Tuesday.
It was August 6, 2008, when the teen was at Tillman’s home caring for his children who were three and five years old at the time.
Tillman, 52, was supposed to be at a Roughrider board meeting, but he was encouraged to go home by staff who thought he was “acting in an unusual manner,” Crown prosecutor Bill Burge told the court.
Tillman joined the teen and his children at home. The girl bent over as she fed one of the kids, said Burge.
“When she stood up, the accused put his hands on her hips with his fingers in her belt loops and he pulled the rear end of the complainant into himself,” said Burge. “While in that position there was physical contact that was clearly of a sexual nature.
“This occurred without the consent of the complainant and she told the accused, ’No.”’
Defence lawyer Aaron Fox told court what happened was the result of the misuse of a sleep aid and pain medication taken for a sore back.
“The employees at the office and the one he worked most closely have described him as being ’loopy’ ... definitely not himself and not with it,” Fox said.
“The problem is a double dose of (the muscle relaxant), which in and of itself isn’t necessarily a problem, but combined with the earlier double dose of the sleeping medication he had taken posed a problem.”
Tillman has consistently said he doesn’t remember getting home or what happened with the babysitter, but he doesn’t dispute the girl’s story, Fox said.
“This would not have happened in a hundred million years had I not put myself in a position to be on medication,” Tillman said told the judge. “Nevertheless, my heart goes out to her and my apology is profound.”
The teen did not make a victim impact statement, but Burge said she accepts Tillman’s apology.
“She would like to move on. She has indicated and her family has also indicated there is no desire to see Mr. Tillman either lose his job or not to be able to continue working,” Burge said.
Tillman, who helped lead the Riders to the Grey Cup championship in 2007, has been on paid administrative leave from the Canadian Football League club since being charged early last year.
When the charge was first laid, he suggested there was more to the story and said he would rely on the justice system to air the facts. The Crown elected to proceed on a summary basis, meaning the charge was considered less serious than an indictable offence.
Rider president Jim Hopson has asked that a special meeting of the board of directors be held “as soon as reasonably possible to consider all relevant aspects of this new development.” The club and Tillman have agreed that he won’t resume any day-to-day responsibilities until the matter is resolved.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon had no comment.
Tillman was hired by the Roughriders in August 2006. He took over a team that had a tarnished reputation in the community because several players ran into trouble with the law.
One was Trevis Smith, a former Rider linebacker, who was charged with aggravated sexual assault after two women complained he exposed them to HIV without telling them he had the virus. Smith was found guilty in 2007 and received a five-year jail sentence.
Tillman preached a message of respect and promised to clean up the team’s image. The Riders adopted a code of conduct requiring players to obey the law, act with honesty and integrity, respect others and take responsibility for their actions.
Tillman also apologized Monday to the Rider organization and Saskatchewan football fans.
“I know people here care about not only their good name, but the good name of this province, and I’m profoundly sorry that I brought embarrassment to not only the organization and to my family, but to the people throughout this province,” he said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions ... and while there are no adequate words, I apologize, your honour. It was very wrong.”
Tillman has enjoyed great success in the CFL as a general manager. He led the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts to Grey Cup titles in 1994 and 1997, respectively, and has worked as a television analyst with TSN and Sportsnet.
Tillman also served as the general manager of the expansion Ottawa Renegades for three seasons before returning to broadcasting and ultimately landing the post with the Riders. In July 2008, the Riders rewarded him with a contract extension through 2010.