Takeo Spikes

Former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes set himself on a path to greatness from an early age. A standout on the field as a high school player, while still a teenager Spikes developed a passion for photography, which continued through his playing days and beyond. Taking his photography to the next level, in December 2016, Spikes published his first book, Behind the Mask, a collection of intimate short stories about and photographs of some of the greatest linebackers to ever play in the NFL, including Mike Singletary, Derrick Brooks, and the late Chuck Bednarik. In preparation for life after football, Spikes began his broadcasting career with national appearances on television and radio while still a player. Most recently, he launched the Behind the Mask podcast with co-host Tutan Reyes in the Fall of 2019. Now in its third season, the award-winning podcast features in-depth, inside and unfiltered conversations with top professional athletes and celebrity guests. Spikes has served as a college football color commentator on ACC Network/Raycom broadcasts, a studio analyst for NBC Sports Network’s Pro Football Talk, provided color commentary for Fox Sports South’s broadcast of the Southern Heritage Classic and was an analyst for ESPN3. He has also appeared on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio as an analyst, as a guest studio analyst for ESPN’s NFL coverage, and appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts, including CBS Sunday Morning and Showtime’s The Jim Rome Show, among many, many others. Drafted in the first round (13th pick overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998, Spikes excelled on the gridiron. He was a two-time All-Pro, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and is one of only seven linebackers in league history with more than 200 starts, while playing for the Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. Spikes was named a team captain in 13 of his 15 NFL seasons, a true testament to his leadership and work ethic. He retired from the NFL in 2013. Spikes played college football at Auburn University, where, as an All-American linebacker, he anchored the defense from 1995-98. He was the MVP of both the Independence Bowl (1996) and the Peach Bowl (1998) and led his team to the 1997 SEC Championship. In 1997, Spikes was a Sporting News first-team All-American and was also named Football News’ Defensive Player of the Year. After retiring from the NFL, Spikes put an emphasis on education, finishing his Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at Auburn and, in December 2016, earning his M.B.A. from the University of Miami.Takeo was also inducted into the Alabama and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and more recently, the inaugural class for the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame. He now awaits induction as he is nominated for the college and Pro Football Hall of Fame. A native of Sandersville, Georgia, Spikes was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He provides mentoring at his annual TKO Camp in Washington County, Georgia, where he inspires kids to achieve their goals. Spikes is a past speaker at the Atlanta Hawks’ Model of Shaping Atlanta through Inclusive Conversations (or MOSAIC) symposium, which brings together influential Atlanta residents to network and listen to panelists discuss the role that sports leaders play in diversity in local communities. He also serves as an advisor to the NFL’s football operations department.