Chris Spielman

Bio

The 1987 Lombardi Award winner, Chris Spielman earned back-to-back-to back first-team All-America honors (unanimous in 1987, consensus in 1986, first-team in 1985) en route to leading Ohio State to three consecutive bowl games and establishing himself as one of the all-time greats in a storied Buckeye program. A three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Spielman was named the top defensive player in the 1987 Cotton Bowl. He was also a member of two Big Ten championship teams (1984, 1986). He twice led the Buckeyes in tackles and graduated as the school’s all-time leader in solo tackles (283). Spielman finished his prolific defensive career at OSU with 546 tackles, eight sacks and 11 interceptions. After graduating in 1988, Spielman was drafted by Detroit in the second round of the NFL Draft, playing with the franchise for eight seasons and becoming the first Lion ever to register 1,000 career tackles. He spent two seasons with the Buffalo Bills and was named to the Pro Bowl six times.

Career Highlights

• 1987 All-Conference
• 1987 Heisman -Sixth
• 1987 Lombardi Award winner
• 1987 Unanimous All-America
• 1986 All-Conference
• 1986 Consensus All-America
• 1986 Heisman - Tenth
• 1985 All-Conference
• 1985 First team All-America