Benchwarmerjim Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 he does a decent job on espn college games too --- The paychecks from ESPN arrived at Chris Spielman's home in Columbus, Ohio, throughout the college football season last fall. Each was placed in the same pile, uncashed and collecting dust. Spielman, a former NFL linebacker, wasn't about to take money for work he wasn't doing even if he had a very good reason for staying away from the sport he loves. For the third time since 1998, Spielman's wife and high school sweetheart, Stefanie, was battling cancer and he wanted to be with her and the couple's four children. "[ESPN] is a good company and they are loyal," he said. "But I sent them all the checks back. I appreciated what they were trying to do but I didn't earn that money." Spielman, an ESPN college football analyst from 2001 through 2003, is once again earning his money this season. Stefanie's cancer is in remission and her husband is back in the broadcast booth. He will work his fourth game of the season at 11 a.m. Saturday when he joins Mark Jones on the Gophers-Purdue telecast on ESPN. "I think it's great," Spielman said of being back. "I tell everybody that this is the best job in the world." But Spielman also has a very good perspective on where football fits into his life. When Stefanie was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, he decided to take a year off from the Buffalo Bills to take care of his wife and kids. He retired the following season after sustaining a neck injury in the preseason. In the spring of 2001, Stefanie, having completed chemotherapy and radiation, found out her cancer had reoccurred. "I think each individual at some point is going to face trials and tribulations," he said. "But because I have perspective on life it doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy football." The importance of football in many peoples' lives was driven home to Spielman this week when he spent two hours visiting with wounded Marines who had just returned from Iraq. "I asked the Marines when they were defending our country if they think about sports," Spielman said. "They said they love sports. When you hear guys say sports doesn't provide an escape, well that's not according to guys on the front lines. [Football] isn't life or death but it's part of our society, and I don't think we should apologize for it." http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5630324.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 Great article, nice to see integrity and proper perspective put into the news once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 The opening weekend this season he made me mute a game. He was giving sound effects for hits '97 Madden-style. BOOM! Everything that came out of his mouth sounded like it had been test marketed for it's appeal among 13-year old video game fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 Yeah, somewhat like Vitale, he's a very good person, just not so hot in the booth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 Great article, I hope it all works out for him and his wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Gload Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Speilman is a class act, finally tOSU gets a good article than a dreaded Tom Friend ESPN article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.