That means everything to me,'' he said. I always played by a code, it's a stupid code, but it's one I hold to. I leave with no regrets . . . It was the guy in our foxhole, who never asked for much of anyone but was always willing to give. I wanted to applaud after he was finished speaking,'' one sportswriter said.
Athletes retire all the time.
They come and go, their jersey numbers slipping onto the next young body with little fanfare. But No. 54 will remain imbedded in the memories of fans, coaches and writers. Spielman has that rare ability to inspire awe in the midst of awfulness without taking on a victim's mentality. I'm not going to sit here and be emotional and cry,'' he said. I look forward to moving on.