By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes could complain about this season's 1-10 record, or the team's 18-57 mark during his career.

He could complain that the Bengals don't have a climate-controlled practice bubble, something most NFL teams use in cold weather.

But Spikes is appreciative for all he has.

"I know I'm truly blessed to be in the position I'm at right now," Spikes said. "I can pay my bills every month."

He tries to give of his time and makes personal appearances to give motivational speeches to young people.

"I try to get into somebody's head and influence them to do what is right," Spikes said. "You hear it all the time, 'If I could just get one soul, one person.' I feel like I can get more than one every time."

Spikes recently judged an essay contest at an elementary school in Silverton. The topic: role models.

His role model as a child was former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. As a high school student, Spikes realized his mother and father - Lillie and the late Jimmie Spikes - were the only role models he needed.

Spikes, who will turn 26 next month, was reminded of his childhood when he read one essay. A child no more than 9 wrote that his role model was his mother.

"He didn't understand what his mom meant by, 'Don't hang with this person or that person, always try to do the right thing,' but he said that he understood it now," Spikes said. "He said, 'I always try to do what she says and never want to let her down.' I was like, 'Wow, dawg, that's big.'

"I get a lot back by being out there with people. I try to give of myself, but when you're out there, you get a lot back."

And for that, Spikes is thankful, too.

OHIO BOYS BASKETBALL 2002-2003 PREVIEW
Moeller, Bacon start atop coaches' polls
Area's top seniors select their colleges
Coaches honored by teams' top rankings
FAVC Buckeye • Cardinal
GCL North • South
MML North • South
SBC Amer. • Nat.
CHL • GMC
MVC • QCC
Independents, others

KENTUCKY BOYS
Are area's best Kentucky's best?
Dixie, NewCath top Kentucky polls
Ninth Region faces 'typical year'
NKY boys capsule summaries

KENTUCKY GIRLS
Hanser, Chiodi get top billing
Newport Central Catholic could be on top for a while
NKY girls capsule summaries

BENGALS / NFL
Spikes counting his blessings
Patriots 20, Lions 12
Cowboys 27, Redskins 20

UC BEARCATS
Flyers possess winning feeling
Absent offense costly for UC

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