Former standout linebacker Takeo Spikes found his name randomly buzzing on social media Sunday morning, a testament to the impression he left after a successful 15-year NFL career.
A trivia question posed by Pro Football Reference on X, formerly Twitter, asked fans to guess a former player’s identity based on his credentials and team history.
But the featured silhouette gave away the answer to many observers.
That’s because Spikes struck a uniquely imposing figure during his time with the Bengals (five seasons), Bills (four seasons), Eagles (one season), 49ers (three seasons) and Chargers (two seasons) after rising to prominence in college at Auburn.
Indeed, his defined trapezius muscles and thick neck cut a memorable image in the eyes of Spikes’s peers and football fans who weighed in on the matter online Sunday.
Here are some of the best reactions from former players, including Spikes himself, pundits and internet types.
I know by the silhouette https://t.co/RC5bEoigAC
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) September 3, 2023
I can name that player because when I saw him for the first time, I doubted if I could ever play TE in the NFL. 😂
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) September 3, 2023
Shark neck himself, @TakeoSpikes51 !! https://t.co/2JuqqZgFUl
That neck tells me who it is https://t.co/SwDQ49rvy1
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) September 3, 2023
Only One Neck In NFL History Look Like That!!!!!!!🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂
— JESSE (With No “i”) (@Mr4thAndLong) September 3, 2023
T.S https://t.co/LzYFqpEGAk
Only one man had a neck like this https://t.co/0zYQ5A51yL
— mike (@bengals_sans) September 3, 2023
I can name him just off the neck silhouette. Hahaha. https://t.co/yPzJzEcdaZ
— Matt Warren (@MattRichWarren) September 3, 2023
The neck gives it away. https://t.co/OU4Qtfx7Pe
— Depressed College Football Fan (@tdavis234) September 3, 2023
Chargers legend Takeo Spikes. That neck is a dead giveaway lol https://t.co/ymRo7MuKfI
— ChargersMemes (@ChargersMemes) September 3, 2023
Don’t even need the numbers look at the neck. https://t.co/dw0WIH1upJ
— Sports Liker (@Ianmurray7) September 3, 2023
Looks kind of familiar 🤔🤔😜 https://t.co/nHj8LdHQiT
— Takeo Spikes, M.B.A (@TakeoSpikes51) September 3, 2023
Days shy of the 2023 NFL season, fans were randomly celebrating a player who hadn’t taken the field since 2012. Clearly, Spikes won’t be forgotten anytime soon by the football world.
