Later in the year, he relaxed and played better. In a win against Maryland, he made a career-high 23 tackles and was named ACC player of the week. All-ACC had been considered a likelihood. Maybe even some collegiate All-America mention. Instead, Spoon managed only one sack as a senior.
Football is a savage game.
Spoon has often embraced its savagery. He played three quarters in 1998 against Clemson with a broken nose. But he knew that he had a great deal to prove to the NFL decision-makers entering 2001. At January's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Spoon began campaigning. I practiced as hard as I could.