Former All-Pro NFL Star Takeo Spikes enjoyed a successful professional career playing as a linebacker for the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, becoming one of only seven linebackers to achieve more than 200 NFL starts during a major-league career that lasted for 14 years. He is also the NFL player with the highest number of regular-season appearances never to have played in a playoff game. Since retiring in 2012, Spikes has become a respected analyst and pundit, working for the big-name likes of NBC Sports, SiriusXM, and Sky Sports UK.

Spikes was born in 1976 and became a USA Today and Parade All-American player during his time at high school in Georgia. He attended Auburn University where he majored in Liberal Arts but excelled at football. In his second year, he helped the team to the SEC Championship Game. They lost, but Spikes was named the game’s MVP. He entered the 1998 NFL Draft and was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals, not only becoming an ever-present player during his rookie season but also leading the team in tackles and total snaps. After the 2002 season, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills to a multi-million-dollar, six-year deal and stayed with them for four seasons, appearing in two consecutive Pro Bowls and being named to the All-Pro first team.

Spikes’ playing career slowly wound down with spells at various clubs but ended on a high with him being named team captain of the San Diego Chargers during his final two playing seasons. He also passed the 200-game barrier, eventually retiring after 219 appearances.