During the course of a 14-year NFL career, Takeo Spikes nearly has done it all.

The linebacker has sacked some of the league’s finest quarterbacks. He has amassed more than 1,000 tackles. And he even has scored three touchdowns.

Yet, Spikes never has played a meaningful game in January.

The Sandersville native holds the dubious distinction of lining up in 203 regular-season games without ever making an appearance in the playoffs -- the longest streak in the NFL among active players.

It is merely an odd footnote in his career, Spikes said Thursday before guest speaking at the Howard football banquet at the school. Besides, he insists he wants much more than to simply play in the postseason spotlight.

“I want to win a ring ultimately,” Spikes said. “That’s the biggest thing that I have on my mind. A playoff game? So, if I get to a playoff game and lose, am I still going to be happy? No. I’m in it for the whole thing.”

The 36-year-old Spikes has been waiting a long time for his shot at a Super Bowl berth. After a standout college career at Auburn, Spikes was drafted 13th overall in 1998 by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent five years there and never won more than six games in a season.

Free agency took him to Buffalo in 2003 for three more losing seasons.

It was his season in Philadelphia, however, that Spikes said was most frustrating. When he arrived in 2007, the Eagles had been to the playoffs six out of the previous seven seasons. Yet, the team slipped to last place in the NFC East with a .500 record.

After Spikes departed San Francisco, the Eagles went to the postseason three straight times. With the 49ers, Spikes endured three more losing campaigns.

This past season, Spikes took his talent to San Diego. The Chargers limped to a disappointing 8-8 record, while the 49ers reached the NFC championship game.

“People put a lot of weight on (him never making the playoffs) -- I don’t,” Spikes said. “It doesn’t define me. I only mention it because I think it’s good for younger players to know that you can’t take the game for granted.

“I’ve accomplished a lot throughout my years, even if the game was to stop today. I’ve done many things that many players haven’t accomplished.”

Spikes has been voted to the Pro Bowl twice and earned All-Pro honors twice. Now, entering the second year of a three-year deal with the Chargers, Spikes said he plans on adding to his illustrious career as long as his body holds up.

Huskies head football coach David Cape, who coached Spikes at Washington County, communicates with Spikes regularly through text messages. When Cape started thinking about who he could bring in to speak at the banquet on the heels of an 0-10 season, one name came to mind.

Spikes said he jumped at the chance.

“A lot of the things they have gone through during the past year are similar to our high school back when I came in,” Spikes said. “I know (Cape) and the type of coach he is.

“What I remember most about playing for him was details, details, details. To a ‘T.’ As you get older, you understand that if you do the little things right, then the big picture will get that much better.”

That was Spikes’ message to the Huskies.

“Takeo has been through the process. He’s seen the movie,” Cape said. “He can look back and apply the value of costs versus benefits. These kids, all they know sometimes is the costs. He lends credibility the demands and expectations of our coaches.

“He’s the measuring stick by what I want these kids to learn, not only to play the game of football, but to live their lives.”