- published: 22 Sep 2007
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Charles Christopher Spielman (born October 11, 1965) is a former American football player and is currently an analyst for ESPN's coverage of college football games.
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 is a 1988 graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in recreation education. He was a two-time All-American, intercepted 11 passes, and won the Lombardi Award as the best college football lineman or linebacker. Spielman was drafted 29th in the 1988 NFL Draft, by the Detroit Lions.
Spielman played eight seasons with the Lions (1988–95), and was a defensive stalwart during the team’s run to four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles, and a berth in the 1992 NFC Championship Game.
He captained the Lions defense that was one of the best statistically in the NFL in the mid-1990s. Spielman is Detroit’s all-time leader in career tackles with 1,138 (since the team began recording tackles statistically in 1973.)