He was suspended for the Liberty Bowl and placed on academic probation, after he was caught sending another person to take a classroom test for him.
[3] As a junior, he earned team MVP honors after making 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble in 9 games.
In 1994, new head coach Dave Wannstedt chose not to re-sign Dent and Spellman became the starter at right defensive end.
[7] On July 28, 1999, after being out of football for a year, the Dallas Cowboys took a gamble and signed him as a free agent after he was diagnosed and received treatment for bipolar disorder.
[10] In 2000, he started 15 games, finishing with 33 tackles (3 for loss), 7 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed and 5 sacks (second on the team).
Complicating matters, Spellman had access to alcohol and a firearm and by this time weighed approximately 300 lbs (136 kg).
[1] Spellman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but refused to take medication, instead becoming increasingly reliant on illicit drugs and alcohol.
These problems, along with his refusal to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his injured shoulder led to Spellman's release by the Bears.
[15] Although doctors confirmed that he had bipolar disorder, Spellman was determined to be legally sane and spent 18 months in federal prison.
[17] Spellman was arrested again[18] on January 29, 2008, leading authorities on a pursuit after being involved in an apparent altercation at a Tulsa, Oklahoma convenience store.
In June 2012, Spellman was released from prison after pleading no contest to ten counts of eluding police officers on the 2008 charge.
[20] Spellman made his mixed martial arts debut on November 11, 2006, defeating Antoine Hayes by unanimous decision.
The fight was part of XFO 13, "Operation Beatdown", and took place at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.