Finally, Chris Spielman has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
He becomes the 28th Buckeye to receive the honor and I can't stress enough how happy I am personally to be able to post the news on our site. Besides being my favorite Buckeye of all time (by a mile) he's also easily the most humble, classy, honest and giving of them all.
Throw in all the work he and Stephanie have done to raise money and awareness in their very personal battle with cancer and you've got a guy who is also a first ballot selection in the Human Being Hall of Fame. And how impressive was it to watch him handle a career ending injury when you know the man was put on this earth to play middle linebacker? There's never been a more class guy off the football field.
On the field, Spielman was an absolute beast and his intensity completely engulfed those around him. He looked the part roaming the field in his neckroll, hand guards and full fledged porn 'stache with nothing but bad intentions.
Not only did he look the part, but he played the part racking up credentials that jump off the page:
- 1987 Lombardi Award winner
- Two time All-American
- OSU all time leader in solo tackles with 283
- Third on OSU all time total tackles list with 546
- OSU single season solo tackle record holder with 105
- Three time all Big Ten selection
- School record 29 tackles against Michigan in 1986
In his honor, I'd like it if you could all chime in with your favorite stories or memories about the great #36. For me, I'd have to go with the 1985 upset of Iowa in the rain at the 'Shoe. Taking on Chuck Long and the high powered Hawkeye attack, Spielman blew up for 19 tackles including a huge 4th and 1 stop of Ronnie Harmon preserving a 15-7 lead late in the 3rd quarter. Spielman also intercepted Long twice in what was one of the most dominating defensive efforts I've ever witnessed.