In 1984, Spielman graduated from
Washington High School in
Massillon, Ohio, where he was awarded the
Dial Award for the national high-school scholar-athlete of the year in 1983. He was the first high school athlete to have his picture on a box of
Wheaties. For college, Spielman initially wanted to attend the
University of Michigan, but his father, a lifelong fan of the
Ohio State Buckeyes (Michigan's
arch-rival), strongly opposed the idea. Spielman recounted the story in the
HBO Documentary "Michigan vs. Ohio State: The Rivalry": My dad said, "Okay, where are you going to go?" I said, "Dad, I want to go to
Michigan." And he said, "You
traitor. I'll tell you where you're going. You're going right down
71 South and you're going to play for the
Ohio State Buckeyes... Better not go there [Michigan]. Don't ever come home if you do." Spielman was a three-time All-American at Ohio State, intercepted 11 passes, and won the
Lombardi Award as the best college football lineman or linebacker. He was the Ohio State football team MVP his senior year and won the Touchdown Club of Columbus's
Chic Harley Award. He graduated from Ohio State with a degree in recreation education. In the
1988 NFL draft, Spielman was drafted in the second round with the 29th overall pick by the
Detroit Lions. Spielman played eight seasons with the Lions (1988–95), where he was a defensive stalwart during the team's run to four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles, and a berth in the 1991 NFC Championship Game. He captained the Lions' defense that was one of the best statistically in the
NFL in the mid-1990s. Spielman is the franchise's all-time leader in career tackles with 1,138 (since the team began recording tackles statistically in 1973.) He also recorded 10 sacks, four interceptions, 30 pass defenses, 13 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries during his Lions' career. He was the first Lion to lead the team in tackles seven consecutive seasons since 1973, including the team's highest single-season tally 195 tackles in 1994. Spielman represented the Lions in four Pro Bowls (1990–92, 1995) and was named the team's defensive MVP in 1993 and 1994. He played for the
Buffalo Bills in 1996 and 1997. His 1997 season was limited because of a neck injury that required spinal surgery. He chose to miss the 1998 season to assist his wife battling cancer. He returned to the NFL in the 1999 season, with the
Cleveland Browns. He retired before the regular season began, after suffering another neck injury. Spielman is also notable for being one of the players notable
NFL draft "guru"
Mel Kiper, Jr. has "missed" on, Kiper admitting in a 2001 post that he had underrated the linebacker. In April 2009 Spielman was elected into the
College Football Hall of Fame. His induction came in July 2010. In 2012, he appeared in an episode of the
NFL Network show
A Football Life. The episode celebrated his prowess on the field as well as his dedication to his family. On October 21, 2021, the Detroit Lions announced they were inducting Spielman into their "Pride of the Lions" club, which honors the greatest players in their history. ==Broadcasting career==