Tillery A First Ballot Choice, Hands Down
By Diana Donatto, special correspondent to the MWS.com

I haven't covered the MWS very long, but in the short time that I have, I do notice that when ever there is talk of who is the greatest of all time when it comes to Madden, the one name consistently mentioned is Lou Tillery. After viewing the Nationals IV DVD and talking to members of the Madden community, I got a deeper appreciation for the legacy that Tillery is creating and eventually will leave behind.

Tillery's run from 2001-2003 is unprecedented. During that time Tillery lost about 4 games in tournament play. 1 to Candyman at the Gulf War, 1 to Ice Ellis for the Nationals IV crown, and 1 to MoWash at MegaBowl I, and who could forget Baller Browns upset of the Dominator in Philly prior to Nationals V. The wins....too many to count. Tillery was the first baller to take his show on the road traveling to any tournament that dared him to step into their hostile environment. Whether it was Storm's event in Philadelphia, or Baller Browns shindig in Baltimore, or the King Of The Couch joints in Dallas, Tillery was not only dominant, he usually won the tournament.

Tillery hit the scene in 2001 at Nationals 3. Prior to entering the tournament, Tillery called tournament founder The Swammi and asked, "How can I get some publicity on the PFL?" The Swammi responded "win Nationals and you will become famous.!" And that is exactly what happened. Tillery turned into the games first national superstar. While The cREATOR and Candyman had both become famous as National champions, Tillery elevated himself to superstar status. More so because he would play anyone, anywhere. He didn't back away from a challenge issued his way. Whether it was driving 6 hours west to go to Houston and lock horns with Candyman and Trapjaw, or whether it was driving 8 hours east to lock horns with the entire BFL. Tillery established himself as not only a superstar on the game, but the man to beat across the nation hands down. "I can remember watching Tillery play like 30 something games and not lose one," stated Curly Top, one time Tillery nemesis.

Tillery knew he had reached the pinnacle when he arrived at the King Of The Couch tourney and players began asking him for his autograph. He had reach Jordan like status on the game, so much to the point where ballers where intimidated to play him before they even sat down. Whether it was going into the hostile east coast environments in Philadelphia, or Baltimore, Tillery dominated consistently. Change the rules right before the tournament, no problem, he would still win.

Tillery really showed what he was made of going against a hot new comer in 2003, by the name of Young Gunz. Gunz had taken the country by storm with his unbelievable stick control, winning the inaugural MegaBowl. These two Madden giants collided at the Philadelphia tournament and Tillery two open field tackles on Gunz that may have elevated him to Hall of Fame status. The latter of those two plays went down in history known as the $12,000 tackle.

Much like Winky White, Tillery was the second the baller to reach the National title game in back to back years. The difference however was that Tillery won his first title, and was preparing to claim his second before being cooled off by fellow NOMB brother Ice Ellis. Although Ice deserved the title, and played exceptionally well, the title game lacked the intensity from Tillery we had grown a custom to. Thus, Ellis interrupted Tillery's chance at Madden immortality. Had it been another opponent going against Tillery, who knows...we could be looking at the only back to back Nationals winner.

When it comes to Nationals, Tillery leads everyone with the most All Time wins at the most prestigious tournament in the community. The great LT is a sparkling 28-3 in Nationals play over 4 years. After winning Nationals 3 and finishing 2nd at Nationals 4, Tillery has bowed out in the sweet 16 at both Nationals V and VI. Many still consider him not only one of the best of all time, but one of the best still competing on the circuit.

While the younger names like Sandman, Big Gene, The Realist and Big Game James have grabbed most of the spotlight in the last two years, whether or not any of the aforementioned can put together the run that Tillery did in his hey day remains to be seen. And if Tillery returns to Nationals 7 to compete, you can best believe he won't be slept on.

And since this is the first year of the Hall, there will be plenty discussion of who deserves to go and who doesn't. And while there will be some players where you can make a case as to whether they belong, or not.....Tillery won't be in the class. He will be in the category that states, no discussion needed. First ballot, unanimously hands down!