Spikes, Vincent lead Bills’ character defenders

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, May 09, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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"Ability without character will lose."

Those were the words of Buffalo Bills general manager Marv Levy when he took the reins in January. Of course, he's right, for the most part. Since Levy has built his version of the Bills around character this offseason, now seems like a great time to analyze the Bills' best character players on the defensive side of the ball.

Not only do these players get it done on the field, but they also commit exemplary acts off the field. They are beacons of greatness on Sundays, and beacons of hope in the community in their free time.

The first player on the Bills' defense that is a terrific player and person is outside linebacker Takeo Spikes. A two-time Pro Bowler, Spikes is one of the fiercest defenders in the league. He's also great off the field, as evidenced by his numerous charitable functions. Along with New York Giants linebacker Carlos Emmons, Spikes started "51 Ways for Charity," a terrific organization focused on making life better for children living with terminal illnesses. Spikes' father, Jimmie, passed away in 2001 because of brain cancer, so the charity is certainly near and dear to his heart.

Last week, Spikes was presented with the Champion for Children award at the Women and Children's Hospital Foundation awards in Buffalo. He regularly visits the hospital, brightening up the days of its patients just by walking in the room. At 6'2" and 242 pounds, Spikes is larger than life to the young people who see him, especially since his massive neck alone could probably beat up King Kong.

After suffering a devastating Achilles tendon injury last September, Spikes was forced to miss the final 13 games of what proved to be a disappointing season for the Bills. However, rather than sitting around and feeling sorry for himself, Spikes continued his fine work around the Western New York community, contributing greatly to his charity, and others in the area. Certainly, everyone hopes he'll return at full strength in time for the Bills' opening game of the season, a September 10 matchup with the division rival New England Patriots.

Other than Spikes, the Bills' current starting free safety, Troy Vincent, is the defense's other key charitable contributor.

The 34-year-old Vincent, who is also the President of the NFLPA, is most known off-the-field for the Love Thy Neighbor Community Development & Opportunity Corporation. This organization, co-founded by Vincent's wife, Tommi, centers around making neighborhoods and communities better through teaching and understanding. Vincent takes tons of free time away from his life to deliver numerous speeches to youngsters and people in rundown communities. In donating his time and money, Vincent is greatly aiding these areas. Without doubt, he's made a great impact on numerous communities in his hometown of Trenton, New Jersey.

Also worth noting for Vincent is the fact that he's an accomplished businessman off the field. His two companies, Eltekon Securities and Essence Spa & Salon, are great successes in New Jersey. Thus, Vincent's showing that he not only possesses great character on and off the field, but he's a business-savvy individual as well. He's sending a great message to youngsters in and out of football who don't know if they're wise enough to earn money in off-field endeavors. However, thanks to Vincent, they're seeing that anything can be accomplished through education.

There are rumors the Buffalo Bills could release Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowler, this offseason, but they'd be losing themselves one of the best character players to ever grace the league. Vincent is one of the nicest, brightest people to reach the NFL in quite some time, and he has also been one of the league's top-notch defensive backs for 14 seasons. In this situation the Bills' loss would be another team's gain.

With guys like Spikes and Vincent on their side, it's no wonder the Bills are one of the most talented teams in football in terms of character. Bravo, gentlemen. Keep up the terrific work on the field, but more importantly, off the field.

For more information on these two extraordinary athletes and gentlemen, please visit their official sites.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.
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