Sam1863

October 21st, 2021 at 7:02 PM ^

I remember he once picked up a fumble recovery and scored, then spiked the ball with both hands, like he was trying to drive it through the turf. I think the announcer called it one of the greatest spikes he'd ever seen.

He would have looked great in maize and blue.

Wally Llama

October 21st, 2021 at 7:26 PM ^

Lions management and ownership has done so very many things wrong over the years, and I'm confident they'll continue to do so. I gave up my emotional investment in them about a decade ago due to the continuing incompetence. 

But this... this they got so very, very right. A great honor for a great player and person, done in a great way. I tip my cap to them for this one!

Blau

October 21st, 2021 at 7:33 PM ^

Say what you will about the organization and the on field product but if there is one person who deserves to be part of a winning team, it’s Chris Speilman. 

LSAClassOf2000

October 21st, 2021 at 8:04 PM ^

He has talked about this on broadcasts before - he wanted to go to Michigan initially, but his father was a rather rabid Buckeye and would not allow him to do so, essentially ordering him to go to Ohio State, if a parent can in fact do that. The way Spielman phrased his dad's words, it certainly sounded like one. 

NittanyFan

October 21st, 2021 at 8:18 PM ^

Done.  I'll be attending the Lions game Sunday!  I'm sure that will go well .....

More on topic, I've always liked Speilman.  Seems like a very good guy.

tigerd

October 21st, 2021 at 9:59 PM ^

The guy gave his heart and soul to the game and left everything out on the field. Probably would have ended up coaching if he hadn't of had to deal with the incredibly bad hand he was dealt with losing his wife to cancer with young daughters to raise. Just an all around class act.

Perkis-Size Me

October 21st, 2021 at 10:09 PM ^

The only buckeye I’d ever tip my cap to. Good man who deserves all the good things in life after what he’s been through. Darn good commentator, too.

Sure would’ve loved having him at Michigan. He would’ve been amongst Michigan’s all time greats and by all accounts he wanted to come here. but sounds like his dad had other ideas.

DHughes5218

October 21st, 2021 at 10:16 PM ^

As others have mentioned, he wanted to be a Wolverine. His dad asked him if he had made his decision and he said yeah, I want to go to Michigan. His dad basically said no you’re not. He would be disowned and his parents would be shunned by the community, so he went to his backup school. 
Really good guy. A Great man. For all of his success in life, he was still dealt a pretty crappy hand. 

Zoltanrules

October 21st, 2021 at 11:07 PM ^

Well deserved for Chris. Class and all heart.

I was at the 1986 Harbaugh guarantee win game at the snake pit and Spielman must have made a 30 tackles sideline to sideline almost single handedly keeping them in the game. A real throwback player with no ego giving 100% on every play.

Griff88

October 22nd, 2021 at 1:14 AM ^

That was awesome. Well deserved Chris, congratulations. Loved watching him play. The Lions deserve credit for this, and it's not often we can say that. Well done.