Bills' Spielman To Sit Out Season

Chris Spielman of the Buffalo Bills will sit out this season so he can be with his wife, who has breast cancer.

Spielman, speaking from his home in Upper Arlington, Ohio, said his decision is based on "unconditional love" for his family. The 32-year-old linebacker said it has nothing to do with his neck injury last season.

"My wife has supported me for 10 years unconditionally, and the least I can do is go through this with her unconditionally," Spielman said during a conference call. "I told her that I want to be the one to take her to treatments. I want to be the one to hold her hand. I want to be the one to be with my kids when she can't."

Stefanie Spielman was diagnosed with cancer 10 days ago, and has since had surgery, Chris Spielman said. She will be undergoing extensive chemotherapy that will last several months, he said.

The couple has two children, ages 2 and 4.

Chris Spielman experienced numbness in the middle of last season. Doctors found a cracked vertebra that, if undetected, could have led to a serious spinal injury.

Two vertebrae in his neck were fused in an operation late last year, and Spielman had hoped they would heal in time for him to play this season. An examination earlier this month determined they were not completely healed.

He said deciding to take the season off was easy.

"I've always been a husband and a father first and a football player second," he said.

Bills coach Wade Phillips supported Spielman.

"We can certainly understand Chris' decision," Phillips said. "I don't think there was any other decision."

Friday's announcement comes on the same day the rest of the Bills are to report to training camp at Fredonia State College.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved