Spavital was the general manager of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1979 to 1982 and the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1983.
His 96-yard rush against the Green Bay Packers on November 5, 1950, is the fourth longest run from scrimmage in NFL history.
In 1974, Spavital was hired as head coach of the Chicago Fire of the World Football League.
Spavital left the Roughriders after the season to join the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).
In the league's first year, the Panthers won the USFL championship, defeating the Philadelphia Stars title game.