Chris Spielman
Chris Spielman was drafted by the Lions in the second round in 1988 and immediately won the start at inside linebacker. He became a team captain and would be named to four Pro Bowls in his time with Detroit. When he left Detroit in 1996, he was the franchise’s all-time leader in total tackles (1,138), a title he still holds.
Spielman was a tenacious linebacker with a nose for the ballcarrier. He started all but four games for the Lions from 1988-1995 and led the team in tackles in seven straight seasons, including a team-record 195 total tackles in 1994.
Spielman joined the Buffalo Bills in 1996 but was limited the next season by a neck injury. After missing the 1998 season to help his wife, who was battling cancer, Spielman attempted a comeback in 1999 with the Cleveland Browns, but another neck injury caused him to retire before the season began. After retirement, Spielman became a broadcaster and has called college football on ESPN since 2001. He was also the subject of an episode of NFL Network’s “A Football Life” in 2012.
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