We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 36 Chris Spielman
A star at Ohio powerhouse Washington High School in Massillon, Spielman was already well known among the national fan base due to his appearance on a Wheaties cereal box during his senior season, in which he received the Dial Award as the national high school scholar-athlete of the year.
LB Chris Spielman
1984-1987
b. October 11, 1965
- 2X All-American (1986-87)
- Lombardi Award Winner (1987)
- Second-Round Draft Choice
Upon arriving at Ohio State, Spielman quickly announced himself as one of the best linebackers in the country. He earned two All-American team appearances in 1986 and 1987, was voted the Ohio State MVP in his senior season, and won the Lombardi Award that year as well as the nations top linebacker.
Spielman was then selected in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, for whom he spent seven seasons and made four Pro Bowl appearances, as well as three All-Pro nods. He then spent two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, before wrapping up his career in Cleveland in 1999, after taking off the 1998 season to spend time with his wife, Stefanie, who was battling cancer.
After a short stint as an assistant coach for the now-defunct Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League in 2005, Spielman is now a college/NFL analyst for FOX Sports, a post that he has held since 2016.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
