COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The ex-college football star leading a class-action lawsuit against Ohio State University that alleges improper use of ex-athletes’ likenesses is one of the school’s most well-known, high-profile and loyal athletes.
Linebacker Chris Spielman played at Ohio State from 1985 to 1987. He was a two-time All-American and three-time Big Ten player, and winner of the 1987 Lombardi Award honoring the country’s top defensive player. He set a school record for career solo tackles with 283.
A major breast cancer research center at Ohio State carries the name of his late wife, Stefanie Spielman, who died of cancer in 1999.