Takeo Spikes facts for kids
Spikes with the Chargers in 2012
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| No. 51 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | December 17, 1976 Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 242 lb (110 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Washington County (Sandersville, Georgia) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Auburn (1995–1997) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1998 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Takeo Gerard Spikes (born December 17, 1976) is a former American professional football player. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). A linebacker is a defensive player who lines up behind the defensive line.
Spikes played college football for the Auburn Tigers. The Cincinnati Bengals picked him 13th overall in the 1998 NFL draft. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice and was named All-Pro once. Spikes also played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and San Diego Chargers.
He is one of only seven linebackers to start more than 200 games in the NFL. Spikes was a team captain for 13 of his 15 seasons. He holds the NFL record for playing 219 regular season games without making a playoff appearance.
After retiring from the NFL, Spikes became a media personality. He works as a football analyst for NBC Sports Network. He also co-hosts shows on SiriusXM NFL and the SEC Network. He is an NFL expert for Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Contents
Takeo Spikes: Early Life and College
Growing Up in Georgia
Takeo Spikes was born in Augusta, Georgia. He went to Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia. While in high school, he earned All-American honors from Parade and USA Today. He was also named Georgia's "Mr. Football" by state coaches in his senior year. Spikes was also named "Georgia Player of the Year" as a senior.
College Football at Auburn
Takeo Spikes attended Auburn University. He studied liberal arts there. In the 1997 season, he led Auburn with 136 tackles. Auburn reached the SEC Championship game. They lost a close game, 30–29, to the Tennessee Volunteers. Spikes was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his great performance in this game. He played alongside productive running back Stephen Davis at Auburn.
Takeo Spikes later received his degree from Auburn in 2016.
Takeo Spikes: Professional NFL Career
Starting with the Cincinnati Bengals
Spikes was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft. In his first year, he started all preseason and regular season games. He was the first rookie since 1990 to lead the Bengals in tackles. He also played the most snaps (plays) on offense and defense for the team.
In 1999, he became a team captain. He played every game as a Right Inside Linebacker or Right Linebacker. He forced four fumbles and recovered four, leading the team in fumble recoveries.
In 2000, he played every game and recorded 128 tackles. This was his third straight season with over 100 tackles. He led the team in tackles and fumble recoveries again.
In 2001, Spikes started at Right Linebacker for 15 games. He led the team in tackles once more. He missed one game because his father passed away. Spikes dedicated the rest of his career to his father. He wrote his dad's name on his wrist tape for the remaining games.
The 2002 season was his last with the Bengals. He played all 16 games. During his time with the Bengals, he played 79 out of 80 possible games. He missed only one game for his father's funeral. He led the team in tackles again. He also scored his second defensive touchdown by recovering a fumble. After this season, Spikes wanted to join a team that could make the playoffs.
Moving to the Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills signed Spikes to a six-year contract. The Bengals did not match the offer. In the 2003 season, Spikes was selected for his first Pro Bowl. He made 126 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
On September 25, 2005, Spikes suffered a serious injury. He tore his right Achilles' tendon while tackling Michael Vick. This injury ended his season early. In 2006, he played in 12 games while recovering. He missed four games early due to a hamstring injury. In the first game of the year, Spikes sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He forced a fumble that led to a touchdown for the Bills.
Time with the Philadelphia Eagles
On March 26, 2007, Spikes was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had an effective first season with the Eagles. However, his season ended early in Week 14. He suffered a torn rotator cuff injury against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles won that game 10–6.
The Eagles chose not to keep him for the next season. This made him a free agent. Spikes played only one season in Philadelphia. During that time, the Eagles did not make the playoffs.
Playing for the San Francisco 49ers
On August 10, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers signed Spikes. He was given jersey number 51. On February 27, 2009, he signed a new two-year contract. Spikes was a team captain for all three years he played in San Francisco.
In 2008, Spikes recorded 1 sack and 3 interceptions. In 2009, he had 4 sacks. He missed one game due to an injury. In San Francisco, Spikes became known for his "sack dance." In 2010, he was very good at making tackles. He missed only four tackles in his three seasons with the 49ers.
Spikes and teammate Patrick Willis were called the "dynamic duo." Spikes said Willis was like a brother to him. He admired Willis's desire to be great.
After the 49ers' coach was fired, the team decided to use a rookie player as a starter. This made Spikes a free agent again.
Finishing with the San Diego Chargers
Spikes signed a three-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on July 26, 2011. He was a team captain for both seasons he played with San Diego.
On September 11, 2012, Spikes made his 200th career start. This put him in a special group of linebackers. On September 30, 2012, he forced a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers won that game 37–20. The Chargers released Spikes on March 7, 2013.
NFL Career Statistics
Here are Takeo Spikes' NFL statistics:
| Year | Team | GP | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||
| 1998 | CIN | 16 | 112 | 95 | 17 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 | CIN | 16 | 103 | 80 | 23 | 3.0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
| 2000 | CIN | 16 | 128 | 109 | 19 | 2.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 2001 | CIN | 15 | 109 | 80 | 29 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 66.0 | 66 | 1 | 5 |
| 2002 | CIN | 16 | 112 | 80 | 32 | 1.5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | BUF | 16 | 126 | 70 | 56 | 2.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 2004 | BUF | 16 | 96 | 61 | 35 | 3.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 122 | 24.4 | 62 | 2 | 16 |
| 2005 | BUF | 3 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | BUF | 12 | 70 | 43 | 27 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2007 | PHI | 14 | 86 | 64 | 22 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 | SF | 16 | 96 | 61 | 35 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 13 | 0 | 6 |
| 2009 | SF | 15 | 75 | 57 | 18 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | SF | 16 | 109 | 82 | 27 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| 2011 | SD | 16 | 106 | 64 | 42 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 45.0 | 45 | 0 | 3 |
| 2012 | SD | 16 | 78 | 53 | 25 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 219 | 1,423 | 1,010 | 413 | 29.0 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 19 | 276 | 14.5 | 66 | 3 | 69 | |
Takeo Spikes: Personal Life and Philanthropy
Family and Education
Spikes was named after Takeo Miki, who was the 66th Prime Minister of Japan. His parents saw a news report about the Japanese prime minister. Takeo's younger cousin, Brandon Spikes, also played as a linebacker in the NFL.
Spikes dedicated his entire career to his father after he passed away. He said his father taught him the value of hard work. In 2016, Takeo Spikes earned his degree from Auburn University. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Miami Business School in 2016.
Neck Strength and Recognition
Takeo Spikes is well-known for the impressive size and strength of his neck. Bleacher Report once called him "the most jacked linebacker in the NFL." His neck measured 21 inches around. At one point in his career, he could bench press 490 pounds. He was featured in ESPN The Magazine's "The Body Issue" in 2012. The article focused on his strong neck and shoulder muscles.
Helping Young People
Spikes runs an annual TKO camp where he mentors young boys and girls. The camp's goal is to help participants turn their dreams into reality. This day-long event offers basketball, football, and cheerleading camps. Professional athletes give motivational speeches and answer questions. The annual event also gives money to the local athletic department in Washington County, Georgia.
