Richard 'Rick' Spielman, born in Canton, Ohio, is a former NFL executive with a background in college football and scouting. He attended Massillon Washington High School and played as a linebacker at Southern Illinois University from 1983 to 1986, contributing to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team and earning first-team All-Gateway Conference honors as a junior. After attending NFL training camps with the San Diego Chargers in 1987 and Detroit Lions in 1988, he began a scouting career with the Lions in 1990, handling college scouting for five years before adding pro scouting duties in 1995-1996. He advanced to Director of Pro Personnel for the Chicago Bears (1997-1999), then joined the Miami Dolphins as Vice President of Player Personnel (2000-2001), promoted to Senior Vice President of Football Operations (2002-2003), and served as General Manager in 2004. Following a stint as an NFL analyst at ESPN, he spent over 15 years with the Minnesota Vikings in personnel roles, including as General Manager from 2012 to 2021, before his firing alongside head coach Mike Zimmer in January 2022 amid playoff failures, internal tensions, and criticism over draft trades and decisions like cutting kicker Daniel Carlson, which he later regretted. In February 2025, Spielman joined the New York Jets as Senior Football Advisor. Spielman holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and a master's degree from Ohio State University. He is married to Michele Spielman, with whom he has six adopted children, including sons Ronnie (lacrosse player at Ohio State) and J.D. (wide receiver at Nebraska and TCU). His younger brother, Chris Spielman, is a former NFL linebacker and current Detroit Lions front office member. No major legal issues, lawsuits, or scandals are documented, though his Vikings tenure drew fan and media criticism for inconsistent success.