Takeo Spikes

Takeo Spikes is linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was born Takeo Gerard Spikes on December 17, 1976 in Sandersville, Georgia. He stands six feet and two inches tall, weighs 242 pounds, and wears jersey number 51. He was drafted in the first round (13th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1998 NFL Draft. He attended the Auburn University where he majored in Liberal Arts. He graduated from Washington County high school in Sandersville, GA, where he was named to the All-America team and Geogria Player of the Year.

In 2007 Spikes was appointed to the first-ever NFL Player Advisory Council by commissioner Roger Goodell. This committee, consisting of only six players, was established to help advice Goodell on a wide array of issues that affect NFL players. In 2003 Spikes co-launched 51 ways, a foundation dedicated to supporting families of children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders.

Takeo Spikes is entering his 12th year of professional football. In 2010 he is expected to player a major role in the 49ers defensive scheme. Slated as the starting inside linebacker next to All-Pro Patrick Willis, Spikes has taken on the "experienced leader" role on the 49ers defense.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Takeo-Spikes/e980a2af-9f1c-46bc-9eaf-b142b4f05e72

In 2002 Spikes started all 16 games at inside linebacker, led the team with 171 tackles, scored his second career touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Carolina Panthers, and posted a career high in tackles in a single game with 18 against the San Diego Chargers.

In 2001 Spikes he was named team captain, and started 15 games at inside linebacker. he finished the year with a career high 173 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 23rd.

In 2000 Spikes started all 16 games at inside linebacker, tallied a team high 126 tackles, and forced a team high 3 fumbles.

In 1999 Spikes was named team captain for the first time. He started all 16 games at inside linebacker, racking up 106 tackles, and leading the team in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries with three, and four.

In his 1998 rookie campaign, Spikes started all 16 games at inside linebacker and became the first rookie to lead the Bengals in tackles since James Francis in 1990. He recorded his first career sack against the Green Bay Packers by taking down Brett Favre with 1:53 left in the game. He finished the year with two sacks and 112 tackles.

In 2009 Spikes played in 15 games, starting all of them. He finished the year ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 95, and registered four sacks, his highest since the 2001 season.

Following the 2008 season, Spikes re-signed with the 49ers for two years.

In 2008 Spikes played in all 16 games, and had earned a starting spot beside Patrick Willis by week four. He finished the year ranked second on the team with 122 tackles, and tied for first on the team with three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He snagged an interception in three consecutive games, with the third coming against his former team the Eagles on a Donovan McNabb pass in the redzone.

Spikes signed a one year contract with the San Francisco 49ers just days before the 2008 season started.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Takeo-Spikes/e980a2af-9f1c-46bc-9eaf-b142b4f05e72

In 2007 Spikes started 14 games for the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing the season with 139 tackles, ranking him second on the team. He was placed on the injured reserve on December 19th after suffering a torn rotator cuff injury against the Dallas Cowboys just three days prior.

Spikes was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Philadelphia Eagles on March 26, 2007 with just one year left on his contract.

Spikes spent the majority of the 2006 season trying to recover from his torn achilles tendon. He played in 12 games total, starting 11, and finished the year with 70 tackles and one quarterback sack.

In 2005 Spikes would start only three games before suffering a season ending injury, tearing his right achilles tendon while playing against the Atlanta Falcons and tackling Michael Vick. He would be placed on the injured reserve and would spend the next 12 months recovering.

In 2004 Spikes would start all 16 games, and earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, racking up career high numbers in interceptions with five, and passes defensed with 17. He finished the year with 111 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

In 2003 Spikes would start all 16 games, and earned his first career Pro Bowl appearance. He finished the year with 126 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Takeo-Spikes/e980a2af-9f1c-46bc-9eaf-b142b4f05e72

Takeo Spikes was signed by the Buffalo Bills on March 10, 2003.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Takeo-Spikes/e980a2af-9f1c-46bc-9eaf-b142b4f05e72