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LB Chris Spielman (2x All-American, 4x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, CFB HOF)

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Faith guides Stefanie, Chris Spielman in fight against breast cancer
By Todd Porter
CantonRep.com staff report
Posted Oct 13, 2009

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AP Marck Duncan
Chris Spielman explains his decision in August 1999 to end his playing career as his wife, Stefanie, looks on, during a news conference in Berea. Stefanie is in the battle of her life since her breast cancer has returned.
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COLUMBUS ?

The sun at Circle K Farm in Grove City bounced off pumpkins. Kids jumped on haystacks. Happiness and joy were in the air on a perfect autumn Sunday.

In the middle of it all, a legendary former linebacker took it in. Chris Spielman has come a long way since his high school days playing for the Massillon Tigers.

Sunday was Spielman?s 44th birthday. It was another he got to celebrate with his wife, the former Stefanie Belcher, a Jackson High School graduate, and their four children: Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey.

Hayrides, hay slides and pumpkin patches provided a fall distraction for the Spielmans.

Chris Spielman has been relishing these types of moments almost daily since Stefanie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.

?It?s been like that for a while because of the fragility of the situation,? Spielman said. ?For 10, 11 years, it?s been like that. That?s a normal observation on my part.?

The situation never has been more fragile than it is now.

Stefanie Spielman, the football star?s high school sweetheart, was 30 when she did a self-examination of her breast and found a lemon-sized lump.

The cancer has returned again.

Chris wouldn?t discuss the type of cancer, where it has returned, or the prognosis. He said it has recurred multiple times.

?I?ve lost count, but this is her biggest challenge,? he said. ?It?s common knowledge. People see her in a wheelchair, and they tend to figure things out.?
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Faith guides Stefanie, Chris Spielman in fight against breast cancer - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com
 
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No...When Sean McDunough (or however you spell it) was calling one of the games I was watching (forget which one) he mentioned Chris and his HOF induction and then when he mentioned Stephanie, you could hear him breaking apart as he was talking...both my wife and I looked at each other and said that was probably a bad sign :cry:

She was in a wheelchair at the Navy game...I hope she comes out OK, but I don't know this time :sad:
 
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My prayers and best wishes go out to the Spielman family. I couldn't ask for a better representative of The Ohio State University, and I am greatly humbled by the example of strength and perseverance their family has shown in their community. Get well soon Stef. :oh:
 
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Bucklion;1566892; said:
No...When Sean McDunough (or however you spell it) was calling one of the games I was watching (forget which one) he mentioned Chris and his HOF induction and then when he mentioned Stephanie, you could hear him breaking apart as he was talking...both my wife and I looked at each other and said that was probably a bad sign :cry:

She was in a wheelchair at the Navy game...I hope she comes out OK, but I don't know this time :sad:
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the comments by McDonough and Ware were made when Chris was accepted into the College Football Hall of Fame. It was very sad watching that on television.

It is not a good situation for Stephanie and my thoughts and prayers go out to Chris said Stephanie and their four children. They are truly a class act.
 
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SPIELMAN?S OUTLOOK

Former Ohio State, Massillon linebacker Chris Spielman made a lot of money playing in the NFL. He was wise with his millions. As his wife, Stefanie, battles another recurrence of cancer ? Spielman called it her toughest challenge ? the question came up with Spielman during a recent chat: Why does he work as a color analyst for ESPN and with a daily radio talk show in Columbus?

?There?s a couple of reasons,? Spielman said. ?One, I have a natural instinct to provide for my family. Two, there?s a value in working as far as your kids understanding that my actions speak louder than my words. There are lessons parents need to teach about living up to your responsibilities and earning a living. I don?t go out to the backyard and pick it off the money tree.

?The other thing is I love my jobs. I?m passionate about what I do.

TEAM PLAYER

ESPN has been accommodating of Spielman. The games he has been assigned usually are a short flight from Columbus, and he returns home, usually, on Saturday nights. But he approaches his jobs the same way he did when he played.

“There are people who count on me to do my job,” Spielman said. “I have obligations to fulfill to my teammates at ESPN and at the radio station. There’s a crew of 60 people at ESPN. I take that responsibility as seriously as I took the responsibility as a member of the Massillon Tigers or Ohio State Buckeyes or as a member of the NFL.

“My team is my team, and I’ll be there for as long as I can.”
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Sunday Special: No quit in Hoover football - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com
 
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BigEdBuck;1589006; said:
Longtime posters on the O-zone are saying that Stephanie is now getting hospice care. Prayers for her, Chris and the family.
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I was worried that she wasn't doing well when I noticed he wasn't calling his normal ESPN game on Saturday.

Thoughts and prayers to their entire family.
 
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The poster on the O-Zone is a woman who lives in Upper Arlington and is very close to Ohio State athletics. She stated that Stefanie has been some type of experimental drugs ever since their return from the cruise that they had to raise money for cancer last January/February. Just an FYI. Very sad.
 
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LitlBuck;1589037; said:
The poster on the O-Zone is a woman who lives in Upper Arlington and is very close to Ohio State athletics. She stated that Stefanie has been some type of experimental drugs ever since their return from the cruise that they had to raise money for cancer last January/February. Just an FYI. Very sad.
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Often a last resort when the regular stuff stops working. I feel really bad for their kids...I hope they get all the support they need to make it through. Chris is the consummate family man, but it will be a long road, unfortunately :sad:
 
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