ATLANTA — On Wednesday, as he was filming a show for FOX Sports South, NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes received the phone call from San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco, informing him that he would be cut.
The news became official on Thursday morning, with Telesco saying in the team's official press release, "Takeo is a true professional and a class act. We're grateful for his many contributions to the Chargers organization, both on and off the field, and wish him nothing but the best in the future."
For a 15-year veteran like Spikes, an Associated Press All-Pro in 2004, the last few days could serve as a sort of symbolic bridge between his current career and a potential new one in television or radio.
This week, he has been shooting "The Panel," a show that features current and former NFL players advising upcoming draftees, which will debut on the regional sports network March 18.
However, Spikes is not ready to give up his playing career just yet. Fully aware of the business of the NFL after playing for five different teams (Bengals, Bills, Eagles, 49ers, Chargers), Spikes took the news in stride, telling a reporter on Thursday at the W Hotel, "Last time I checked, I still got some more tread on the tires," he said, looking down at his feet, "at least for one more year."
Despite the oddity of the announcement's timing, Spikes was not taken off guard. He knew that Norv Turner's tenure as head coach was in jeopardy if things did not work out for the Chargers By extension, his time with San Diego might be ending.
As it happened, the Chargers went 7-9, failed to make the playoffs and Turner was gone, along with general manager A.J. Smith. Mike McCoy replaced Turner and Telesco succeeded Smith.
"You never want to hear it, but I knew it was a possibility," Spikes said of being cut. "Before we even stepped foot on the field in 2012, I knew we had to win in order for me to be able to be there. I knew there was going to be a head coaching change, I knew there was going to be a GM change and so that’s what's happened.
"The thing I appreciate is that Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy, I talked to them right after the season several times, and I told them if there’s some movement to where you want to make a change because of salary cap or you just want to bring younger guys in the building and start over, I’m cool with that. But just give me enough leeway time to be able to go out and see if I can get latched on somewhere else before free agency started."
Spikes continued: "I talked to them again and they were like, 'It's not an easy decision. We're still evaluating to see which way we want to go.' So I appreciate they gave me that. Some organizations, I know they don’t care about that."
From rural Sandersville, Ga., almost 150 miles southeast of Atlanta, Spikes (drafted by the Bengals in 1998, 13th overall) has grown accustomed to catching on to a new club, although he has not reached out to any just yet.
"There’s not a day that passes by that I don’t think about the Freeman McNeil, the Reggie White (legal) case that opened it up for guys like myself to be able to take advantage of free agency," said Spikes. "I think it's every player's dream to start out with one team and finish with one team and go out ultimately the way that Ray Lewis did" (by winning the Super Bowl with Baltimore last month).
"That was always my dream. But it don’t work that way, so I'm thankful I'm able to take my services somewhere else and take advantage of that."
Amazingly, Spikes, a two-time Pro-Bowler, has never played in the playoffs. In the city where he was filming on Thursday, another longtime veteran, Tony Gonzalez, earned his first playoff victory this past season.
Spikes would like to emulate the way Gonzalez was finally able to reach that milestone.
"Yeah, yeah, I do and that’s what I’m shooting for," he said. "It has to be a contender. The love-hate part of the NFL, I have mixed emotions. You never (know) what team it is going to be. You never do know which team it’s going to be. Some teams will contend and compete, and I do want to be on a contending team."
Spikes turns 37 in mid-December, so the end to his playing days appears near. As a broadcaster or NFL front-office employee, Spikes appears to have his future planned out.
"I wouldn’t mind working on the front office of a team," he said. "I feel like I can evaluate talent pretty good. ... I love being a part of the game but being away from the game at the same time, so, for me, being able to break down players, talk about ball. I love ball, man. I love football, I love it. It kind of feeds my appetite.
"Whatever I do, I want to be great at it and I will be great at it."
