Cedric Tillman, the wide receiver of the Cleveland Browns, opened the 2025 season with a statement performance. Although the Browns suffered a narrow 17-16 defeat, Tillman collected five grabs for 52 yards. He also had a touchdown in that match, which was the only one from Brown’s side. The third-round pick of the 2023 NFL draft is proving that he can be much more than a depth option. Tillman is playing his third NFL season and still, the fans know little about his background.

Tillman, 25, graduated from Bishop Gorman High School. Then, to play college football, he committed himself to the University of Tennessee. During his college tenure, he served as a backup receiver and redshirted as a freshman in 2018. But what makes Tillman’s background interesting is his family tree.

Who are Cedric Tillman’s parents?

Cedric Tillman was born on April 19, 2000, to Cedric and Roshanda Tillman. He was named after his father, Cedric Cornell Tillman, who was also a football player and an accounting major at Alcorn State. Tillman Sr. played at Alcorn State alongside QB Steve McNair from 1988 to 1991. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and played as a wide receiver for the Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars during a four-year NFL career from 1992 to 1995.

After retiring, Tillman Sr. has remained involved in football, serving as Bishop Gorman High School’s coach for 15 years. He is also co-owner of a business called Business Tax Solutions.

Cedric’s elder brother, Jamir Tillman, is also a football player. He was the Navy’s leading wide receiver during his college career, recording 597 yards on 29 catches and becoming the first player in the program’s history to catch touchdown passes in four consecutive games. Jamir also earned letters in basketball, football, and track & field while at Bishop Gorman High School.

This football lineage shows that Cedric Tillman comes from a family deeply involved in the sport at multiple levels

The role of family in his journey: his relationship with his parents

During his coaching tenure at Bishop Gorman, Tillman Sr. has coached both his sons. Cedric Tillman confirmed, “I always coached him up from Pop Warner to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.” Their father’s coaching has guided and shaped both brothers throughout their football journey.

Despite a four-year NFL career, Tillman Sr. was never the type to dwell on his own glory or push his son aggressively into playing wide receiver. Laughing with Cleveland.com, he said, “Unless they see it firsthand, you’re never as good as you say you are.” He elaborated, “I don’t talk much about myself anyway… My expectation wasn’t as high as his.”

Cedric’s mother, Roshanda, often remarked on how Cedric views things differently from her and his father. While initially curious about his decisions, she grew to understand the motives behind them. She told Cleveland.com, “He’s always been that way. At first, you’re kind of like, ‘Cedric, what are you doing?’ But after a while, you get to understand. I always felt like Cedric saw life through different lenses than we did.” She recalled how she expected Cedric to choose jersey number 4 like his older brother but saw him initially pick number 6 instead; after some thought, he settled on 4—demonstrating his own independent mindset and earning his mother’s trust in his decisions.

The Browns will face the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, giving Tillman another chance to showcase his skills and carry on the proud football tradition of his family.