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Robert Spillane

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Robert Spillane
refer to caption
Spillane with the Tennessee Titans in 2018
No. 41 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-12-14) December 14, 1995 (age 28)
Oak Park, Illinois
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Fenwick
(Oak Park, Illinois)
College:Western Michigan
Undrafted:2018
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:56
Sacks:2.0
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:4
Interceptions:1
Touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Spillane (born December 14, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Michigan.

Early life and high school

Spillane was born and grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and Fenwick High School. He played both running back and linebacker for the football team at Fenwick. He was rated a three-star recruit by several recruiting services and was originally recruited to play running back in college when he committed to play at Western Michigan.[1]

College career

Spillane played four seasons for the Western Michigan Broncos, appearing in 47 games (40 games). During his college career, Spillane accumulated 312 tackles (32.5 for loss), 10 sacks, four interceptions, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named second team All-Mid American Conference (MAC) selection in his junior season after recording 111 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, three sack, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.[2] As a senior, Spillane was again named second team All-MAC after compiling 88 tackles, 11 of which were for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception, which he returned 35 yards for a touchdown.[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+14 in
(1.86 m)
229 lb
(104 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.77 s 1.73 s 2.79 s 4.40 s 7.13 s 32+12 in
(0.83 m)
11 ft 9 in
(3.58 m)
10 reps
All values from Western Michigan's Pro Day

[4]

Tennessee Titans

Spillane signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2018.[5] He was cut from the 53-man roster at the end of training camp and subsequently re-signed to the Titans practice squad on September 2.[6] Spillane was promoted to the Titans active roster on October 9, 2018.[7] He made his NFL debut on October 14 in a 21–0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.[8] Spillane was waived by the Titans on October 29, 2018.[9]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On February 8, 2019, Spillane was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[10] He was waived on August 31, 2019 and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[11][12] He was released on September 24, 2019, but re-signed on October 8.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on November 5.,[14] Spillane finished the season with 11 tackles in eight games played.[15]

On October 18, 2020, against the Cleveland Browns, Steelers starting inside linebacker Devin Bush Jr. tore his ACL. Spillane replaced Bush and finished the game with 5 tackles. On October 20, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin announced that Spillane would be the starter for the remainder of the season.[16] In Week 8 of the 2020 season, Spillane intercepted a pass from Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson and returned it for a 33 yard touchdown during the 28–24 win. This was Spillane's first turnover and touchdown of his career and he also finished the game with a team-high 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.[17] In Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Spillane recorded his first career sack on rookie quarterback Joe Burrow during the 36–10 win.[18][19] He was placed on injured reserve on December 12, 2020.[20] He was activated from injured reserve on January 9, 2021.

Personal life

Spillane is the grandson of 1953 Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer and NFL halfback Johnny Lattner.[21]

References

  1. ^ Drew, David (October 17, 2014). "WMU football freshman Robert Spillane a tough 'throwback' linebacker who finds inspiration from Heisman-winning grandpa". MLive.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  2. ^ Olsent, Corey (April 19, 2017). "Western Michigan linebacker Robert Spillane rejoins team after departure". MLive.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  3. ^ Nothaft, Patrick (May 15, 2018). "WMU LB Robert Spillane signs NFL free-agent deal with Tennessee Titans". MLive.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Robert Spillane, DS #44 ILB, Western Michigan". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Bacharach, Erik (August 29, 2018). "From rookie tryout to preseason standout, Robert Spillane in mix for spot on Titans roster". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2018). "Titans Add Six To Practice Squad, Including LB Robert Spillane and RB Dalyn Dawkins". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "Titans waive WR Williams after big drop against Buffalo". Washington Post. Associated Press. October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  8. ^ "Titans-Ravens Game Notes". TitansOnline.com. October 14, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  9. ^ Wyatt, Jim (October 29, 2018). "Titans Bring Back Fullback Jalston Fowler". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Chester, Simon (February 8, 2019). "Steelers sign LB Robert Spillane and RB Malik Williams to reserve/futures contracts". Behind The Steel Curtain. SB Nation. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  11. ^ "Steelers make roster cuts". Steelers.com. August 31, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  12. ^ "Steelers announce 2019 practice squad". Steelers.com. September 1, 2019.
  13. ^ Comeau, Jonathan (September 24, 2019). "Steelers Signing TE Alize Mack To PS, Cut LB Robert Spillane". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  14. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 5, 2019). "Steelers place Gilbert III on IR; promote Spillane". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  15. ^ "Steelers' Robert Spillane: Two tackles in finale". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  16. ^ Labriola, Bob (October 20, 2020). "Spillane to start in Bush's place". Steelers.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  17. ^ Gentille, Sean (November 1, 2020). "Five players who have the Steelers still undefeated and atop the AFC North". The Athletic. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  18. ^ Batko, Brian (November 15, 2020). "Steelers notebook: Joe Burrow welcomed to Pittsburgh 'the appropriate way'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  19. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  20. ^ Varley, Teresa (December 12, 2020). "Roster moves continue for the Steelers". Steelers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 26, 2018). "Titans Rookie LB Robert Spillane is Ballin' – and He's Having a Ball in the Process". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.