Spillane made and broke a number of records during his football career. In 1986 Spillane and his three Kerry teammates broke Danno O'Keeffe's long-standing record by capturing an unprecedented eighth All-Ireland winners' medal. His inter-county football career, which spanned three decades, saw him earn a record nine All-Star awards, more than any other player in the history of the game. Spillane shares this record of nine All-Star wins with Kilkenny hurlers Henry Shefflin, D.J. Carey , Tommy Walsh and Eddie Keher (although Keher's record is made up of 5 All-Stars and 4 Cú Chulainn Awards). His All-Star accolades were presented as part of a six-in-a-row from 1976 until 1981 and a three-in-a-row from 1984 until 1986. Spillane is also one of only a handful of players to have won senior Munster winners' medals in each of three separate decades.