Charles Tillman calls Chris Harris "great friend" and "great teammate"

I had the pleasure of writing about Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, who has a great perspective on life because of his daughter Tiana. Click here to read the story from Sunday.

On Monday night, at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Northbrook, Tillman hosted a Cornerstone Foundation event there.

It was bigger than last year’s event at Morton’s in downtown Chicago, he said.

“We have the entire restaurant,” he said. “And I have more [teammates] than last year.”

Bears on hand were: Matt Forte, to Johnny Knox, Matt Toeaina, Corey Graham, Caleb Hanie, Craig Steltz, Anthony Adams, Frank Omiyale, D.J. Moore, Tim Jennings and Brandon Meriweather.

Moore was the funniest, poking fun at one attendee by calling him Jerry Rice.

“I bussed tables and washed dishes, so this is a step up for me,” Omiyale said of serving food from a platter.

All the players I talked to were relieved about the dominant victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

But there was definitely a buzz about Chris Harris asking to be traded.

“He’s a great friend and a great teammate. He’s a key figure for the defense,” Tillman said. “But Chris Harris has to do what’s best for him and his family. Teams make business moves all the time.”

Tillman said Major Wright and rookie Chris Conte “held their own.”

As for Meriweather, he was surprised when I asked him about Harris’ trade request.

“I didn’t know that. Wow,” he said. “I just tried to call Chris.

“Chris is a great player, and he’s a smart player and fun to be around. He’s one of the ones I’m closest to on the team. I hope Chris gets to play one year with me and we can go through the bumps and bruises together. I’m one of those people who likes people to stay together.”