Ron Spears
{{Short description|American football player (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ron Spears
| number = 78, 79
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|11|23}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 255
| high_school = John Marshall (CA)
| college = East Los Angeles JC (1977–1978)
San Diego State (1979–1980)
| undraftedyear = 1981
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1981}}-1982)*
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|1982|1983}})
- Green Bay Packers (1983-{{NFL Year|1984}})
| statlabel1 = Sacks
| statvalue1 = 0.5
| pfr = SpeaRo20
}}
Ronald Darnell Spears (born November 23, 1959) is a former American football defensive end who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Los Angeles Junior College and San Diego State and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|1981}}. He then was a member of the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers.
Early life
Spears was born on November 23, 1959, in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpeaRo20.htm|title=Ron Spears|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=December 21, 2010|archive-date=July 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715042345/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpeaRo20.htm|url-status=live}} He attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles and is one of four of their alumni to play in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8b809|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=John Marshall (Los Angeles, CA) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2023-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317021227/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8b809|url-status=live}} The Los Angeles Times reported him as one of the top area high school performers; he was an all-league selection in football, competed in hurdling for the track and field team and was a center for the basketball team, averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds a game during a portion of his senior season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/67027955/|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 13, 1977|page=437|author=Snyder, Don|title=Boy, Girl Honored for Starring Roles|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153551/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/67027955/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
College career
Spears began his collegiate career with East Los Angeles Junior College, playing for them from 1977 to 1978 while being a lineman in football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/spea00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Ron Spears Stats|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2023-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153554/https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/spea00600.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247215/|newspaper=Daily Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1979|title=Aztecs need help on 'D' to turn '78 record around|page=73|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153608/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247215/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He transferred to play for the San Diego State Aztecs in 1979 and transitioned to playing linebacker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ron-spears-1.html|website=Sports Reference|title=Ron Spears College Stats|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2013-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129130920/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ron-spears-1.html|url-status=live}} He appeared in all 11 games and lettered; he saw limited action at the start of the year before seeing more playing time in the second half of the 1979 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247407/|newspaper=Daily Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 28, 1979|page=17|title=Allen's big day paces Aztec win|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153601/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247407/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} The Associated Press reported him as being "outstanding" when on the field. The Daily Times-Advocate noted that he played "brilliantly" late-season and Spears finished the year having totaled 14 tackles, 15 assists, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247530/|newspaper=Daily Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 28, 1980|page=99|title=Defense will key '80 Aztec chances|author=Maffei, John|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153601/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/133247530/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Spears played his final season at San Diego State in 1980, lettering, and was regarded as one of the two-best players at his position on the team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/133248456/|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 4, 1981|page=14|title=Sports Scene|author=Glanberry, Mike|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154113/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/133248456/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Professional career
After going unselected in the 1981 NFL draft, Spears was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionss/spea00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Ron Spears NFL Transactions|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2023-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153648/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionss/spea00600.html|url-status=live}} He became a defensive lineman with the Cowboys and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram mentioned him as one of the best rookie arrivals.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/133248702/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 19, 1981|page=55|title=Rivalries at linebacker, fullback should spice Cowboys' camp|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154139/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/133248702/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} However, he suffered a foot injury prior to the regular season and was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/carlsbad-current-argus/133248830/|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|via=Newspapers.com|agency=Associated Press|date=August 19, 1981|page=25|title=Randy Hughes On IR Status|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154115/https://www.newspapers.com/article/carlsbad-current-argus/133248830/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was waived at the final roster cuts in September 1982.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/133248978/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 7, 1982|page=25|title=Night was bad, news was good|author=Sins, Ken|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154115/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/133248978/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
One day after being let go by the Cowboys, Spears was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/133249047/|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1982|title=NFL roster moves|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/133249047/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He appeared in seven regular season games, none as a starter, for the Patriots. He also saw action in one playoff game for the team. He impressed the team in training camp entering the 1983 season, but his play declined significantly in preseason and although he made the initial roster, he was released after starting just the opener against the Baltimore Colts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/133249278/|newspaper=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 9, 1983|page=46|author=Borges, Ron|author-link=Ron Borges|title=Spears' departure leaves mystery unsolved|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154210/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/133249278/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/133249419/|newspaper=The Daily Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 9, 1983|page=18|title=Pats sign free agent Harris|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/133249419/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Shortly after being released by New England, Spears signed with the Green Bay Packers as a replacement for the injured Greg Boyd.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/133249496/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1983|page=19|author=Hughes, John|title=Packers plead ill health|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154711/https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/133249496/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He appeared in 13 games with one start for the Packers, recording 0.5 sacks as the team went 8–8.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1983nflgb.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1983 Green Bay Packers (NFL)|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2023-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153715/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1983nflgb.html|url-status=live}} He was released by the team in May 1984, ending his professional career.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/93071364/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 29, 1984|page=19|title=Packers waive Spears|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154619/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/93071364/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He finished his four-year stint in the NFL with 21 games played, two as a starter, and 0.5 sacks.
Later life
Spears received a Bachelor of Science from San Diego State and worked six years with information technology companies after his time in the NFL, after which he joined the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in the same area in 1990.{{Cite web|url=https://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/Notices/1993/1993-10-01.html|publisher=University of California, San Diego|date=October 1, 1993|author=Meyer, Roger D.|title=School Of Medicine Director Of Information Technology Support|access-date=2023-10-11|archive-date=2019-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513230237/http://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/Notices/1993/1993-10-01.html|url-status=live}} He became the Director of Information Technology for the UCSD School of Medicine in 1993.