In today’s era of college football, nobody would be surprised to see the sport’s top athletes appearing in TV advertisements or endorsing products. But before recent legislature allowed college athletes to collect revenue from their name, image and likeness, college football stardom was largely confined to the field rather than behind the camera or in magazines and commercials. However, one Ohio State star bucked this trend — and did it before even becoming a Buckeye. In 1984, Chris Spielman, then a star linebacker for his hometown Massillon Washington Tigers, became the first high school athlete to appear on a box of the popular cereal Wheaties. Wheaties — the unofficial “Breakfast of Champions” — hosted a nationwide “Search For Champions,” in which people would use a ballot posted on the back of the Wheaties box to mail in nominations of local star athletes who otherwise would not receive national attention. Those in Massillon, Ohio, came out in full support of the high school football star, and Spielman ultimately won the competition — paving the way for him to make history. Donning his white Massillon jersey — complete with orange and black lettering — and his helmet tucked under his left arm, Spielman made his national debut on the iconic orange box. Spielman’s photoshoot look was complete with the classic 1980s look of long hair and a mustache, making the then-teenager look like a fully grown adult. Happy #NationalCerealDay! Here's some of the cereal boxes we have in our archives featuring Gold Jacket & @steelers great @JeromeBettis36 & @Lions great @chris_spielman. pic.twitter.com/Kb9w7iFVjh — Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 7, 2018 Spielman’s Wheaties box appearance was just the nation’s introduction to the future college football Hall of Famer. Just months later, Spielman enrolled at Ohio State and his legendary career truly began. Across his four seasons with the Buckeyes, Spielman collected an eye-popping 546 total tackles and earned All-American honors twice while playing under then-head coach Earle Bruce. Spielman's 29 tackles against Michigan in 1986 remains an Ohio State record for most tackles in a single game. Spielman parlayed his success at Ohio State into a 10-year NFL career, playing eight seasons with the Detroit Lions and a pair of campaigns with the Buffalo Bills. While Spielman’s legacy grew far beyond his face appearing on a Wheaties box, that lasting image serves as the point where it all started for the kid from Massillon.

Chris Spielman Was The Initial High School Athlete To Feature On A Wheaties Box Before ...

In the current landscape of college football, it is no longer surprising to witness the sport’s leading athletes featuring in television commercials or promoting products. However, prior to recent legislation permitting college athletes to generate income from their name, image, and likeness, fame in college football was primarily restricted to the field, rather than through […]

In the current landscape of college football, it is no longer surprising to witness the sport’s leading athletes featuring in television commercials or promoting products.

However, prior to recent legislation permitting college athletes to generate income from their name, image, and likeness, fame in college football was primarily restricted to the field, rather than through media appearances or promotional materials.

Notably, one Ohio State star defied this norm — and he did so even before he joined the Buckeyes.

In 1984, Chris Spielman, at the time a standout linebacker for his local Massillon Washington Tigers, became the inaugural high school athlete featured on a box of the well-known cereal Wheaties.

Wheaties — known as the unofficial “Breakfast of Champions” — initiated a nationwide “Search For Champions,” encouraging individuals to submit ballots affixed to the back of the Wheaties box to nominate local athletic talents who might not gain national recognition.

The community in Massillon, Ohio, rallied behind the high school football star, and Spielman eventually emerged victorious in the competition — setting the stage for him to enter the history books.

Clad in his white Massillon jersey — sporting orange and black lettering — and holding his helmet under his left arm, Spielman made his national entry on the iconic orange box. His photoshoot captured the quintessential 1980s style with long hair and a mustache, causing the then-teenager to resemble a fully matured adult.

Celebrating #NationalCerealDay! Here are some cereal boxes from our archives featuring Gold Jacket & @steelers great @JeromeBettis36 & @Lions legend @chris_spielman. pic.twitter.com/Kb9w7iFVjh

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 7, 2018

Spielman’s appearance on the Wheaties box marked merely the beginning of the nation’s journey into the world of the future college football Hall of Famer. Shortly thereafter, Spielman enrolled at Ohio State, and his extraordinary career officially commenced.

During his four years at Ohio State, Spielman amassed an impressive total of 546 tackles and received All-American accolades twice under the guidance of then-head coach Earle Bruce. Spielman’s record of 29 tackles against Michigan in 1986 still stands as the highest in Ohio State history for a single game. He translated his achievements at Ohio State into a decade-long NFL career, spending eight seasons with the Detroit Lions and a couple of years with the Buffalo Bills.

While Spielman’s impact extended far beyond his image on a Wheaties box, that enduring representation marks the point where it all began for the young athlete from Massillon.