LB Chris Spielman (official thread)
Canton Rep
Spielman sees a lot to like from OSU to national
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 By JIM THOMAS
Repository Bob Rossiter
Former Massillon, Ohio State and NFL player Chris Spielman talked college football with the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club during Monday’s meeting at Four Winds restaurant.
CANTON TWP. - Chris Spielman addresses life as he did playing the game of football: Full speed and take no prisoners.
On Monday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club meeting, Spielman provided the full house at Four Winds restaurant a smorgasbord of juicy tidbits about high school, college and professional football, as well as updates concerning his family.
“When people ask where I’m from in Ohio, I say I went to school in Massillon but I’m from Stark County,” said the former Tiger, Ohio State and Detroit Lion linebacker. “I grew up in Plain Township in my first 10 years. I moved to (Canton) on 11th Street for my next few years, then I walked over and went to Massillon.
“All of you guys — and I see faces from my youth — had an input on me, in a positive way.”
Spielman informed the crowd his wife, Stefanie, a breast cancer survivor, received a clean test result after completing her latest chemotherapy in May. “I like to say she is 3-0 against cancer,” he said. “It’s an everyday thing.”
The Spielmans have a 3-year-old daughter, Audrey Grace, who is a miracle child.
“She is the first child in the world” born to a woman while on her cancer drug, he said.
He had bad news for Ohio State foes. Spielman said his 9-year-old son, Noah, is playing youth football in Columbus.
“His nickname is ‘The Bulldozer,’ ” Spielman said of his 125-pound, fourth-grader. “He’s going to be tough. But he doesn’t have any choice.”
Spielman began talking about college football, and his adrenaline level pumped out a few additional quarts.
He said sports media giant ESPN, his employer as a college football analyst, “has made college football what it is today.” By that, Spielman said, it had created a cottage industry for coaches and former players turned announcer to enjoy lucrative contracts formerly reserved for pros.
Spielman also said college football was near the saturation point.
“There is so much media coverage ... it’s almost too much,” he said of the weekly games on Tuesday and Thursday, the occasional Friday night game and the dozens of Saturday contests.
Spielman, who has a daily radio show from noon to 1 p.m. during the week, acknowledged he is a part of that.
“I watch it. I love it,” he said. “ ... College football is the greatest game in the world.”
Spielman’s assessment of the Buckeyes: “I do believe Ohio State is going to win the Big Ten title.”
Spielman said fans should appreciate OSU’s defense.
“This is one of those defenses that only come around every 10 or 15 years,” he said. “They are an incredible, talented group. They gave up 500 yards (to Minnesota), they got humbled. But they came out and made adjustments in the second half.
“... They hustle, they run to the football. ... if you are a true football fan you’ll enjoy this defense.”
The offense, he said, “that’s a little different story.”
Spielman’s take on Justin Zwick, the former Massillon quarterback?
“... I would like nothing more than a Massillon guy to succeed,” Spielman said, “... but Troy Smith is the starter.
“To his credit, he is handling (being second string) well. But there is speculation in Columbus that he might transfer.”
Spielman pointed out Ohio State’s offensive explosion of 86 points the past two weeks as a reason for optimism.
“This team is ready to explode,” said one of the game’s all-time greats at linebacker. “I wish they were playing this way at the beginning of the year, instead of peaking now.”
Spielman, a Heisman Trophy voter, said his top three selections, in order, were Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush, Texas quarterback Vince Young and USC quarterback Matt Leinart.
His pick as national champion may surprise you.
No disrespect for two-time defending champion USC, he said, but “I like Texas.”
Kyle Keiderling, who wrote the soon-to-be released book, “Shooting Star: The Bevo Francis Story,” will speak next week.
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail:
[email protected]
IndeOnline.com
Spielman says being back in Massillon is ‘humbling’
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
By DOUG STALEY
[email protected]
Former Massillon Tiger football standout Chris Spielman took a stand for what he believed in.
And it cost him his first head coaching job.
Spielman, who spoke Monday at the weekly Hall of Fame Club luncheon at the Four Winds, said he rejected management’s request to fire his entire coaching staff and chose instead to resign in June as coach of the Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers.
“I don’t think I quit,” he said. “I did not believe in the direction we were going so I decided to go another way. I took a stand on principal and ended up losing that job.”
But the experience taught Spielman some valuable lessons he hopes to apply in the future.
“I’m convinced I can be a successful coach,” he said. “But I’m happy doing what I do.”
Spielman, who also starred for Ohio State along with the NFL’s Lions, Bills and Browns, is a college football analyst for ESPN and host of a daily, hour-long sports radio talk show on a Columbus station. In addition, he is a weekly guest on local station 1480 WHBC’s morning show.
“For me to be here is always humbling,” the Stark County native told the crowd. “It’s exciting for me to be here. ”
Spielman provided a brief update about his wife Stefanie’s battle with cancer. Stefanie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.
The cancer returned for a third time last year, Spielman said, but is in remission again.
“She had a test about six weeks ago, and everything came in OK,” he said. “It’s an everyday thing for us. You really learn to live three months at a time. We don’t let cancer control our life. We understand God has a plan for us ... cancer has been a blessing in my life because of the people I’ve met and the people I’ve been able to serve.”
Spielman, a two-time All-America linebacker at Ohio State, also spent some time talking football and couldn’t pass up an opportunity to trumpet the Buckeyes’ talented defense.
“I want people to appreciate the defense they have,” he said. “It only comes around every 15 or 20 years. If you watch them play, the way they run to the football and the enthusiasm they play with, you’ll appreciate this defense.”
The offense, which struggled mightily in the season’s opening weeks, has shown improvement, scoring 86 points the last two weeks, Spielman said.
“I enjoy seeing Troy Smith come on and be the quarterback people thought he would be at the beginning of the season,” he said.
At the same time, Spielman admits part of him is still rooting for former Massillon quarterback Justin Zwick, who started the season opener against Miami of Ohio while Smith was out serving a suspension for violating NCAA rules.
“There’s nothing more I’d like to see than a kid from Massillon excelling as the quarterback at Ohio State,” he said. “But if he (coach) feels Troy Smith gives him the best opportunity to win games, then Troy Smith is the starter.”
Rumors are swirling about Zwick’s future with the team but Spielman said he hopes Zwick “keeps going and keeps fighting.”
In any case, Spielman predicts the Buckeyes will go on to capture the Big Ten crown this year in what has turned into a highly competitive race.
“I don’t think anyone can touch them now,” he said. “This team is ready to explode. I wish this is the team that would have shown up at the beginning of the year.”
The subject of pro football – specifically the play of the Browns – also was broached during Spielman’s address.
Asked when the Browns should bench quarterback Trent Dilfer in favor of back-up Charlie Frye, Spielman replied, “soon.”
“The NFL is a much different level. Do not get fooled by his performance in the pre-season,” Spielman said.
Spielman, who retired from the NFL in the 1999 season after suffering a career-ending neck injury, also was asked about New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi’s decision to return to the game after suffering a mild stroke eight months ago.
“That’s an individual decision and a choice he has to make as long as the doctor clears him to play without risking his future,” he said. “I had to leave the game because I could have hurt my neck again.”
Another topic Spielman addressed was the media’s relationship with sports, referencing recent comments made by Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville that ESPN has too much power over college football.
“ESPN has made college football what it is today. Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis recently signed a 10 year, $40 million contract,” he said. “Tommy Tuberville has to understand that you do not bite the hand that feeds you.”
The media and sports must co-exist, Spielman said, because the fans demand the coverage.
“I love it,” he said. “I think it’s the greatest game in the world.”
http://www.indeonline.com/left.php?ID=4626&r=0&Category=1
(if we win it's because of the kids, lord knows he's forgotten more about football than I've ever known:) )
