Chris Spielman’s NFL career had a devastating end.
After multiple setbacks in 1997 and 1998, the linebacker was heading into the 1999 season hoping for a triumphant return. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the case.
Spielman began his professional career in 1988 with the Detroit Lions after being drafted in the second round with the 29th overall pick.
Motor City was where Spielman forged his legacy, spending eight seasons there.
He became a powerhouse in defense and was crucial in the team’s four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles, and a place in the 1991 NFC Championship Game.
Spielman captained a Lions defence that was statistically the best in the NFL in the mid-1990s.
In 1996, he joined the Buffalo Bills, where he spent two seasons.
Why did Chris Spielman retire?
The 1997 season was limited for Spielman after a neck injury that required spinal surgery.
After recovering, he didn’t play the 1998 campaign to assist his wife battling cancer. She survived but tragically passed away in 2009 at the age of 42.
Spielman was set to make his NFL return in 1999, this time with the Cleveland Browns.
However, bad luck struck after he suffered another neck injury during an exhibition game against the Chicago Bears.
The injury came after he took a crushing, blindside hit from Bears center Casey Wiegmann on a run play and lost some feeling in his body.
It was agreed after medical evaluation that Spielman couldn’t return to the football field without risk.
He was forced to retire but humbly accepted the decision.
“We’re all football warriors, and being that, you have to accept your mortality. And my mortality is today,” he said in 1999.
“My effort level and my toughness were never questioned by anybody.”
What does Chris Spielman do now?
Unsurprisingly, Spielman’s association with football didn’t end there.
In 1999, he became an analyst and became part of Fox Sports’ NFL coverage.
Then, in 2001, he joined ESPN and served primarily as a color analyst for college football broadcasts and became a radio star.
In 2016, rejoined Fox Sports as a game analyst for the NFL alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton and sideline reporter Kristina Pink.
Spielman also tried his hand at coaching.
In 2000, he interviewed for the Ohio State head coaching position, a job that eventually went to Jim Tressel.
In 2005, he coached the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League to a 2-14 record.
Nowadays, Spielman is back at his beloved Lions after being hired in 2020 as special assistant to the chairman and president & CEO.
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