Auburn's Takeo Spikes joins SEC Network with fond memories of 'mean-mugging' media
AUBURN — Notebooks and cameras formed a disorienting panorama for Takeo Spikes as he entered the Birmingham Sheraton. It was 1997 SEC Media Days, and Spikes was representing Auburn football.
The linebacker had been briefed, but that was the extent of it – brief. "You don't know what you don't know," as he describes it. Scanning the room offered a full perspective of the scale of college football media.
Spikes looked to his left and spotted Vanderbilt linebacker Jamie Duncan. He turned to his right. Another linebacker. Georgia's Greg Bright.
"So instantly I go into competitive mode," he said. "I'm thinking, 'Oh no, they ain't better than me and I'm about to let you guys know.' So I'm mean-mugging the media."
It was a confusing sight. Eventually someone from Sporting News approached Spikes and asked him to join Alabama's Michael Myers for a photo. Spikes, still on edge, was reluctant. He didn't know how the Auburn fanbase would receive that. The Sporting News journalist clarified that the photo was to be used for an Iron Bowl preview that would be published later in the season.
Spikes followed and positioned himself next to Myers. He was still stone-faced.
"So Michael Myers, he felt the tension," Spikes said. "He was like, 'Hey Spikes, you alright, man?'"
That finally broke the ice. Spikes relaxed and enjoyed the day from there, but those awkwardly funny first moments stand out to him 25 years later as he begins a new chapter – from the media side of media days.
The Auburn great has joined SEC Network as an analyst, and he was thrown into the fire in a setting that looks completely different from his playing career.
"Seeing the magnitude of what media days has grown into compared to back in '97," he said in Atlanta. "It was in Birmingham, nothing like this. You've got guys wearing tailored suits. I love it."
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Spikes was the No. 13 overall pick in the NFL Draft after that 1997 season. He became one of the NFL's best linebackers. In a 15-year career, he made two Pro Bowls and compiled 1,018 career tackles, which ranks No. 12 since 1994, when the stat was first recorded.
Spikes then hosted an NFL podcast for a number of years. He's familiar with the talking business.
"For me, this is what I do. I love telling stories. I love sharing my experiences," he said. "I'm the talent interviewing talent. What makes it so different is I get a chance to really enlighten. ... Like if you want to know what the players think, I really get a chance to let the viewer know: This is what he's really thinking. This is what I know from experience. And tie both of them together, and then you come out with your answer. So really just give it some insight, putting some color behind some words."
He treats his work on TV with the same care as his work on the football field, watching nightly film of himself to see how he can improve. "Same formula as when I played the game," he said. "Different arena."
Evaluating his performance at SEC Media Days, Spikes noted that he stopped himself from referring to Auburn as "we" several times. He wants to find a balance in which he can strip away bias when opining, analyzing and occasionally criticizing. At the same time, he doesn't want to shy away from his alma mater being a part of his identity. "You can't ask me to live a lie," he says.
"I felt like I did a pretty decent job while I was here. I'm pleased but not satisfied, and I know it's only going to get better."
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former Auburn football star Takeo Spikes discusses new SEC Network job
