49ers falcons

Spillman Finds Stability in San Francisco
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com
Player Feature Story
In signing a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the San Francisco 49ers through the
2014 season, C.J. Spillman has ensured competitive special teams play will continue in the Bay Area.
The fourth-year safety, who was signed by the 49ers five games into the 2010 regular season, has found
a home with the 49ers thanks to his all-out style of play. Spillman’s skills: speed, sound tackling and
serious on-field demeanor make him one of the best special teamers in the league today.
Here’s his story.
TONY MONTANA SQUAD
C.J. Spillman didn’t sulk or sour when the 49ers signed two safeties last offseason. With Donte Whitner
brought in to play alongside re-signed safety Dashon Goldson, Spillman’s role on defense changed. Just.
Like. That. He became a goal line cornerback, and a backup safety, but more importantly, Spillman
mastered his role as a blistering gunner on special teams.
When some players might look at his situation as a means to complain or seek a trade, Spillman went out
and produced. In 2011, Spillman led the 49ers with 19 special teams tackles, which also tied for fourthmost
in the National Football League. Spillman also represented the 49ers as a special teams captain on
occasion.
He also went on to record the final tackle of the NFC Divisional Playoff round as the New Orleans Saints
tried a lateral-heavy play after falling victim to a play that will forever be known as “Vernon Post.”
Moments like that highlight Spillman’s impact on a 49ers team that came just short of reaching the Super
Bowl. It also underscores how special teams became a huge part of San Francisco’s 14-win season. “It’s
amazing how special teams played a big part in every game,” Spillman said in a phone interview with
49ers.com. “A lot of people don’t really know to pay attention to it. But I think last year, with the guys we
had on special teams, we made the best of every opportunity that was given to us.”
Not only did Spillman and the 49ers special teams make the most of it, throughout 2011, the group
inspired a legion of Faithful fans to get behind their brand of play, and more importantly, the squad’s
chosen pre-kickoff anthem, Future’s “Tony Montana.”
Soon after, videos from the group’s kickoff team swaying side-to-side were all over the internet.
“I think everybody on special teams should take pride in it,” Spillman said. “The fans and the guys on the
team were getting into it. When you look at the 31 other teams that are out there, nobody has anything
like what we have going on. And that’s what sets us apart from a lot of teams.”
PASSION FOR THE GAME
Like many of his teammates on the 49ers, Spillman’s love for football developed at an early age. Growing
up in Louisville, Ky., Spillman was influenced to play the game by his father Claude Sr., who played
collegiately at Western Kentucky and went on to play five games for the Dallas Cowboys. “It was
something that eventually grew on me,” said the younger Spillman, who now goes by C.J. “As long as I
can remember, my dad and my whole family, all the guys, they were really into football.”
Spillman followed his father’s footsteps and soon found himself starring as a running back and defensive
back at Louisville Central High School. Looking back, Spillman thanks his father for being the “driving
force” in his football career. Though running the ball was very different from his future profession on
defense, Spillman truly enjoyed his time as a running back. “Everybody wants to carry the ball,” the 6-