Chris Long
{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Chris Long
| image = Chris Long Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Victory Parade (39462284124).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Long at the Super Bowl LII victory parade, 2018
| current_team =
| number = 72, 91, 95, 56
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|3|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Santa Monica, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 270
| high_school = St. Anne's-Belfield School (Charlottesville, Virginia)
| college = Virginia (2004–2007)
| draftyear = 2008
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 2
| pastteams =
- St. Louis Rams ({{NFL Year|2008}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
| highlights =
- 2× Super Bowl champion (LI, LII)
- NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (2018)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2018)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2008)
- Ted Hendricks Award (2007)
- Dudley Award (2007)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2007)
- Unanimous All-American (2007)
- First-team All-ACC (2007)
- Second-team All-ACC (2006)
- Virginia Cavaliers Jersey No. 91 retired
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 332
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 70.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 15
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 6
| pfr = LongCh99
}}
Christopher Howard Long (born March 28, 1985) is an American former professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long and older brother of NFL guard Kyle Long, he played college football at the University of Virginia and won the Ted Hendricks Award as a senior. Long was selected by the St. Louis Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL draft, where he spent eight seasons. He later played one season for the New England Patriots and two for the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl title with each.
Long is one of six players to win consecutive Super Bowls for different teams, having won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots and Super Bowl LII with the Eagles. He also received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2018 for his charitable work, which included donating his entire 2017 salary to charity.{{Cite news |last=Busbee |first=Jay |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Chris Long will donate every game check for 2017 to charity |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/chris-long-will-donate-every-game-check-2017-charity-134552444.html |access-date=October 20, 2017 |work=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}}
Early life
Chris Long was born in Santa Monica, California and is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.{{Cite news |last=Himmelsbach |first=Adam |date=November 24, 2007 |title=Chris Long Depends on Hard Work More Than Famous Name |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/sports/ncaafootball/24virginia.html |access-date=June 19, 2008}} He has two younger brothers, former NFL guard Kyle Long and Howie Long Jr., a scouting assistant and personnel assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Finley, Patrick |date=October 2, 2015 |title=Long story: Bears' Kyle welcomes little bro, Raiders |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/long-story-bears-kyle-welcomes-little-bro-raiders/ |access-date=December 4, 2016 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}}{{Cite web |title=The Long Family {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2013/06/news-the-long-family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814034708/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2013/06/news-the-long-family/ |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022 |website=pfhof |language=en}} He is a great-nephew of film director Irvin Kershner.{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Christopher |date=January 27, 2017 |title=Pats' Solutions |url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/christopher-caldwell/pats-solutions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031846/https://www.weeklystandard.com/christopher-caldwell/pats-solutions |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=August 20, 2018 |website=The Weekly Standard}} He appeared in a 1980s anti-underage drinking public service announcement as an infant with his parents.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2006 |title=Howie Long For United Way {{pipe}} Commercial |url=http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/11710/ |access-date=December 29, 2010 |publisher=Retrojunk.com}} Chris Long is the godson of the Hall of Fame Quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
Long attended St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia.{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2007 |title=Chris Long Biography |url=http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88799&SPID=10606&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1133501&Q_SEASON=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216063004/http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88799&SPID=10606&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1133501&Q_SEASON=2007 |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=VirginiaSports |publisher=University of Virginia}} As a senior in 2003, he was in on 91 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, and 15 sacks, helping his team to an undefeated record and the state UIL school championship. "He was a big gangly kid who had yet to grow into his body," said John Blake, the St. Anne's-Belfield coach. "But he jumped in with both feet. When he played tackle, he would drive kids 10 or 15 yards down the field, like he was steering a car." He was given a 4-star ranking for college recruiting from Rivals.com, a service that rated him the sixth-best defensive end in the prep ranks.[http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/chris-long?id=276 NFL.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530120334/http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/chris-long?id=276 |date=May 30, 2008 }} He played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Long also played basketball, lacrosse, and baseball in high school.[http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players/67526/ Chris Long Profile on St. Louis Rams website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506120659/http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players/67526/ |date=May 6, 2008 }}
College career
Image:Chris Long Gator Bowl 2008.jpg
in January 2008]]
Long played college football at the University of Virginia under head coach Al Groh from 2004 to 2007, while pursuing a degree in sociology. As a freshman in 2004, he was a backup on the defensive line, but missed five games due to mononucleosis. Long ended the season with five tackles (two for a loss) and a sack.
As a sophomore in 2005, Long averaged 3.8 tackles per game, leading all Virginia defensive linemen. He totaled 46 tackles, with 10 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks. His 26 quarterback pressures led his team. He also shared the team lead in pass break-ups with seven.
In 2006, Long earned second-team All-ACC honors and was voted team captain. While starting all games, Long recorded 57 tackles, 12 for a loss, and 4 sacks. His 4.8 tackles per game was fourth among ACC defensive lineman. He was also a finalist for the Dudley Award, for the most outstanding player in the Commonwealth of Virginia and was an All-State selection.
Following his senior season in 2007, Long was recognized as a unanimous First-team All-American.{{Cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Kan |date=December 18, 2007 |title=Talib Officially Named Consensus All-America By NCAA |work=KU Athletics |publisher=CBS College Sports Networks |url=http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121807aaa.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224105912/http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121807aaa.html |archive-date=December 24, 2007}} Long was fourth nationally in tackling by a defensive lineman, averaging 5.3 tackles per game. In addition, North Carolina head coach Butch Davis, who coached against Long in North Carolina's ACC match-ups with Virginia, called Long one of the premier defensive linemen in the country.[http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players/67526/ St. Louis Rams.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506120659/http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players/67526/ |date=May 6, 2008 }}
Long entered the 2007 season on the watch lists for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Trophy, Lombardi Trophy, Hendricks Award, and the Lott Trophy. He finished the season as a finalist for the Lombardi, Lott, and Nagurski Trophies. On December 5, Long won the 2007 Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in the nation. Long garnered more than 60 percent of the votes, the most ever for a winner in the history of the award.{{Cite news |date=December 5, 2007 |title=Long Wins Hendricks Award as Nation's Top DE |work=VirginiaSports |publisher=University of Virginia |url=http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1346367&DB_OEM_ID=17800 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709132940/http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1346367&DB_OEM_ID=17800 |archive-date=July 9, 2012}} Additionally, Long received a first-place vote and finished 10th in the 2007 Heisman Trophy voting.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2007 |title=2007 Heisman Voting |url=http://fantasysportsoutlook.com/2007/12/08/2007-heisman-voting/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622120234/http://fantasysportsoutlook.com/2007/12/08/2007-heisman-voting/ |archive-date=June 22, 2008 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |publisher=Fantasy Sports Outlook}}
Although he never completed his degree,{{Cite web |title=The day Chris Long gave a season of NFL checks to charity |date=October 26, 2017 |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/26/16544800/chris-long-philadelphia-eagles-game-checks-charity}} Long's #91 jersey was retired at the University of Virginia on November 24, 2007, making him the first to have his jersey retired while an active player.{{Cite news |date=November 25, 2007 |title=Virginia Honors Tiki Barber and Chris Long by Retiring Jerseys |work=VirginiaSports |publisher=University of Virginia |url=http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88791&SPID=10606&ATCLID=1326326&DB_OEM_ID=17800 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709132927/http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88791&SPID=10606&ATCLID=1326326&DB_OEM_ID=17800 |archive-date=July 9, 2012}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Fum & Int | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Cmb|Combined tackles}} | {{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}} | {{abbr|Ast|Assisted tackles}} | {{abbr|TfL|Tackles for a loss}} | {{abbr|Sck|Quarterback sacks}} | {{abbr|PD|Passes deflected}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{abbr|FR|Fumbles recovered}} | {{abbr|QBH|Quarterback hurries}} | {{abbr|TD|Touchdowns}} | |
| 2004 | Virginia
| 6 || 0 || 5 || 3 || 2 || 2 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2005 | Virginia
| 12 || 12 || 46 || 19 || 27 || 10 || 2.0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 26 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2006 | Virginia
| 12 || 12 || 57 || 32 || 25 || 12 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 21 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2007 | Virginia
| 13 || 13 || 69 || 36 || 33 || 19 || 14.0 || 9 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 23 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 43 | 37 | 177 | 90 | 87 | 43 | 22.0 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 70 | 1 |
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3
| weight = 272
| dash = 4.75
| ten split = 1.53
| twenty split = 2.71
| shuttle = 4.21
| cone drill = 7.02
| vertical = 34
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 4
| bench = x
| wonderlic = 34
| arm span = 32+1/2
| hand span = 10+1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Dagger |date=February 29, 2008 |title=2008 NFL Combine Results |url=http://www.postgameheroes.com/?p=2097 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |publisher=postgameheroes.com}}{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=April 21, 2008 |title=Chris Long Q&A |work=Inside the Oakland Raiders |publisher=Northern California Network |url=http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/04/21/chris-long-qa/ |url-status=dead |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626003906/http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/04/21/chris-long-qa/ |archive-date=June 26, 2008}}
}}
At the NFL Combine, Long did not lift the bench-press reps of 225 pounds because of an injured thumb.{{Cite web |last=Coyle |first=Frank |date=February 25, 2008 |title=Long lives up to hype at Combine |url=http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=778825 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |publisher=Rivals.com}}
Virginia Pro Day
Bench press: 370 lbs; Squat: 640 lbs; Power clean: 375 lbs{{Cite web |title=Chris Long |url=http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/515627 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=NFLDraftScout.com |publisher=The Sports Xchange}}
=St. Louis Rams=
Long was selected by the St. Louis Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Dolphins, Rams take Jake, Chris Long; Falcons go with Ryan |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3368762 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416211412/https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3368762 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Rams go Long, too, taking Virginia defensive end |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3369075 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814040020/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story?id=3369075 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The selection made him just the second son of a Hall of Famer, after tight end Kellen Winslow II, to be drafted in the first round, the fifth such player ever drafted, and one of two such players drafted in 2008 (the other being Matthew Slater).{{Cite news |last=Owens |first=Bruce |date=June 14, 2008 |title=For NFL Rookies, The Real Father's Day Comes This September |publisher=The TMR Zoo |url=http://www.tmrzoo.com/?p=357 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308101143/http://www.tmrzoo.com/2008/357/for-nfl-rookies-the-real-father%E2%80%99s-day-comes-this-september |archive-date=March 8, 2022}}
Following the draft, Rams head coach Scott Linehan named Long a presumptive starter on defense, a notion that Long rejected and instead felt he needed to earn a spot as a starter.{{Cite news |last=Fallstrom, R. B. |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Rams go Long, too, taking Virginia defensive end Chris Long |agency=Associated Press |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9XbKyehJs5QXH7frwzrPNIIijqAD909RLC82 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430235712/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9XbKyehJs5QXH7frwzrPNIIijqAD909RLC82 |archive-date=April 30, 2008}} The Rams also announced their plans on using Long as both a linebacker and defensive end to showcase his athleticism.{{Cite news |last=Dillion, Dennis |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Rams make the right move in selecting Chris Long |work=Sporting News.com |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=404913 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630214033/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=404913 |archive-date=June 30, 2008}} Long considered his ability to play multiple positions one of his best assets.{{Cite web |last=Wagoner, Nick |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Rams Go Long |url=http://www.stlouisrams.com/article/67489/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501154331/http://www.stlouisrams.com/article/67489/ |archive-date=May 1, 2008 |website=St. Louis Rams.com}}
On July 19, 2008, Long agreed to terms on a six-year $56.5 million contract with the Rams with $29 million guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |date=July 21, 2008 |title=Rams first-round pick Long agrees to six-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3497035 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406235802/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3497035 |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=live |work=ESPN}}{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Signing status of 2008 NFL Draft first-round picks |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d808c2409&template=with-video&confirm=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828170740/http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d808c2409&template=with-video&confirm=true |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |website=NFL.com}}
On September 14, 2008, Long recorded his first career sack against Eli Manning of the New York Giants. He recorded his first 2-sack game versus the New England Patriots on October 26, 2008. At the end of his 2008 rookie season he was voted All-Rookie by the Pro Football Writers Association and Sporting News.[http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/NFL+Features/2008/awardrkteam.htm Pro Football Weekly.com]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Long started 16 games (14 at right DE and 2 at left DE) for the Rams in 2008, recording 4 sacks and leading the team in quarterback pressures, with a high of two sacks against the New England Patriots.
In 2009, Long again played both left and right defensive end for the Rams and ended the season with 5 sacks, which was second on the team. He also led the team's defensive linemen with 43 tackles (33 solo plus 10 assists) and for the second straight season he led the Rams in quarterback hits/hurries.
Image:Chris Long (American football).JPG
In 2010, Long moved to left defensive end, a position previously held by Leonard Little, where he is a more "natural fit" according to his coaches. In Week 6, 2010, against the San Diego Chargers, Long recorded two sacks and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week by the NFL. Long also helped keep the Chargers to 287 total yards. For the third consecutive season, he led the team in hits/hurries. In addition, he led the NFL in hurries in 2010 with 41.5 and in total quarterback disruptions with 67.5 (Quarterback disruptions are the combined total of quarterback sacks, hits, and hurries) and was named fourth alternate to the Pro Bowl.{{Cite news |last=Nelson, Kathleen |date=December 29, 2012 |title=Fisher minimizes lack of Pro Bowl love for Rams |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/fisher-minimizes-lack-of-pro-bowl-love-for-rams/article_6a731ef1-71ea-5e1f-952f-52cbcd39dd95.html |access-date=December 30, 2012 |quote=The alternates are Jackson, linebacker James Laurinaitis and defensive end Chris Long.}}
In 2011, Chris Long decided to change his jersey number from 72 to his former collegiate number 91, which was previously worn by Leonard Little. On September 17, 2011, the Rams and Long agreed to a restructuring of his contract to free money under the salary cap. The restructured deal included a $12.1 million signing bonus and a base salary in excess of $10 million in 2012. Including the prorated signing bonus amount, Long had an $18.3 million cap number for the 2012 season.Van Bibber, Ryan. [http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2011/9/28/2455647/chris-long-agrees-to-restructure-contract-with-st-louis-rams Turf Show Times] Retrieved September 28, 2011.
On October 30, 2011, Long had a career-high 3 sacks versus the New Orleans Saints and was named Sports Illustrated's NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.{{Cite news |last=Thomas, Jim |title=Long makes short work of Rams' foes |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/long-makes-short-work-of-rams-foes/article_16137aa8-c526-52f4-a3a7-77fc8a786681.html |access-date=November 5, 2011}} And for the second consecutive season he led the NFL in quarterback disruptions.{{Cite web |title=CBS Sports Rapid Reports |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/16627651 |access-date=December 29, 2011 |website=CBS Sports}} Long also led the Rams in quarterback hurries with 15 and quarterback hits with 16.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2012 |title=Chris Long, St. Louis Rams reach four-year contract extension |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-long-st-louis-rams-reach-four-year-contract-extension-09000d5d82ae7086 |website=NFL.com}} He was voted as an alternate to the Pro Bowl for the second time.{{Cite news |last=Pollock, Bill |date=December 29, 2011 |title=Three Rams named Pro Bowl alternates |work=Missouri Net |url=http://www.missourinet.com/2011/12/29/three-rams-named-pro-bowl-alternates/}}
On July 29, 2012, Long and the Rams agreed to a four-year contract extension. The extension added $50 million over 4 years, with $27 million guaranteed. Counting the existing year of contract (2012) which was reworked in 2011, Long's overall deal ended up at $60 million over 5 years, with $37 million guaranteed.Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via Twitter, [https://www.twitter.com/jthom1] Retrieved July 31, 2012.
In 2012 Long led the Rams in sacks with 11.5 and again led the team in quarterback hits (24) and hurries (50). Additionally, according to Football Outsiders.com Long led NFL defensive ends in hurries for the third straight season.{{Cite web |title=Looking at the Rams' Fearsome Front Four |url=http://www.101sports.com/2013/08/06/looking-at-the-rams-fearsome-front-four/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118061349/http://www.101sports.com/2013/08/06/looking-at-the-rams-fearsome-front-four/ |archive-date=January 18, 2014 |access-date=August 3, 2013}} On December 30, 2012, Long tied a career-high of 3 sacks versus the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite news |title=Rapid Reaction: Seahawks 20, Rams 13 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/69371/rapid-reaction-seahawks-20-rams-13 |access-date=December 31, 2012}} He was also voted as a Pro Bowl alternate for the third time.
On October 24, 2013, Long was ejected and fined $15,750 for throwing a punch at Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott early in the third quarter.{{Cite web |title=Chippy Game Between Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams Draws $47,250 in Fines |url=http://www.sportsmedia101.com/carolinapanthers/2013/10/27/chippy-game-between-carolina-panthers-st-louis-rams-draws-47250-in-fines/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131150355/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/carolinapanthers/2013/10/27/chippy-game-between-carolina-panthers-st-louis-rams-draws-47250-in-fines/ |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=October 28, 2013}} Against the Colts, Long recovered an Andrew Luck fumble and ran it in for a touchdown, his first NFL score, and was named co-NFC Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Illustrated (along with Robert Quinn). Long ended the 2013 season with 8.5 sacks and took his career total to 50.5 sacks and was named to the All-Fundamentals teams for the second consecutive season. Also in 2013 Long was voted first alternate defensive end to the Pro Bowl, the fourth consecutive season he was an alternate. Once again for the sixth consecutive season he led the Rams teams in quarterback pressures with 39, but was second in quarterback hits to All-Pro Robert Quinn.{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2013 |title=Entering 6th season, DE Chris Long ready to lead St. Louis Rams |work=Fox News |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/entering-6th-season-de-chris-long-ready-to-lead-st-louis-rams/}}{{Cite web |last=Grisak |first=Blaine |date=2016 |title=Rams' Chris Long Makes Pro Bowl As Alternate...Well Sorta |url=https://ramblinfan.com/2016/01/26/rams-chris-long-makes-pro-bowl-as-alternate-well-sorta/ |access-date=October 21, 2019 |website=FanSided |quote=Long was named a Pro Bowl alternate four consecutive seasons between 2010-2013}}
On September 10, 2014, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher announced Long would spend two months recovering from ankle surgery. The injury reduced Long's 2014 season to six games.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=September 10, 2014 |title=Chris Long expected to miss two months after surgery |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-long-ankle-placed-on-rams-ir-recall-list-0ap3000000392595 |access-date=September 10, 2014 |website=NFL.com}}
Long played 12 games for the Rams in 2015. He was released by the team on February 19, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Rams cut Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, Jared Cook |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-cut-chris-long-james-laurinaitis-jared-cook-0ap3000000637315 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}
=New England Patriots=
On March 18, 2016, Long signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots worth $2 million.{{Cite web |title=Patriots sign DE Chris Long and LB Shea McClellin |url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/03/18/patriots-sign-de-chris-long-and-lb-shea-mcclellin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131150402/http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/03/18/patriots-sign-de-chris-long-and-lb-shea-mcclellin |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2016 |website=New England Patriots}} Long appeared in every game, starting in seven, and made solid contributions as a situational player on a team that went on to go 14–2 in the regular season, capture the AFC Championship, and win Super Bowl LI, his first Super Bowl title.
Long played an important role in a critical play helping the team to a dramatic comeback victory. The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied all the way back to win the game by a score of 34–28 against the Atlanta Falcons, which featured the first overtime game in Super Bowl history and the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |title=New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li-0ap3000000783692 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |publisher=NFL}} Although not appearing in any statistical category during the game, Long played a crucial part in the team's comeback when Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews was called for holding Long on an eight-yard catch that would have put the Falcons at the Patriots 26-yard line for a potential game-sealing field goal. Instead, the Falcons were pushed out of field goal range and the Patriots were able to tie the game on their following possession.{{Cite web |author= |date=March 1, 2017 |title=NFL notebook: Chris Long leaving New England |url=http://www.pressherald.com/2017/03/01/nfl-notebook-chris-long-leaving-new-england/}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On March 28, 2017, his 32nd birthday, Long signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |last=Smith, Alex |date=March 28, 2017 |title=DE Chris Long Added On Two-Year Deal |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/DE-Chris-Long-Added-On-Two-Year-Deal-/085b6202-6938-4d81-9ce8-08723ab336c1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015346/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/DE-Chris-Long-Added-On-Two-Year-Deal-/085b6202-6938-4d81-9ce8-08723ab336c1 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2017 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sessler, Marc |date=March 28, 2017 |title=Philadelphia Eagles to pad D-line with Chris Long |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/philadelphia-eagles-to-pad-d-line-with-chris-long-0ap3000000795717 |website=NFL.com}} Long announced that he would donate his entire 2017 salary to charity. Long played in all 16 games in the 2017 season, recording 5 sacks and a career high 4 forced fumbles. He added 4 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in 3 postseason games.
Long, along with fellow ex-New England Patriot, LeGarrette Blount, helped the Eagles defeat their former team in Super Bowl LII.{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2018 |title=Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount could make history in Super Bowl LII |url=http://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/01/23/new-england-patriots-chris-long-and-legarrette-blount-would-make-history-if-eagles-win-super-bowl-lii/}}{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl. Chris Long was voted to the 2018 Payto LII |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/philadelphia-eagles-knock-off-patriots-win-super-bowl-0ap3000000914459 |access-date=February 4, 2018 |publisher=NFL}}{{cite web | last=Jones | first=Lindsay H. | title=Super Bowl 2018: Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots in stunner | website=USA TODAY | date=2018-02-05 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2018/02/04/super-bowl-2018-score-philadelphia-eagles-new-england-patriots/305840002/ | access-date=2024-10-31}}
Following the 2018 season, Long was named the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his efforts regarding clean water, military appreciation and youth education.{{Cite web |title=Chris Long named Walter Payton Man of the Year |website=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-long-named-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-0ap3000001015572}}
=Retirement=
After the 2018 season, Long announced his retirement on May 18, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Maya |first=Adam |date=May 18, 2019 |title=Chris Long announces retirement after 11 seasons |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-long-announces-retirement-after-11-seasons-0ap3000001031176 |access-date=May 18, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="3"| Fumbles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD |
| 2008 | STL
| 16 || 16 || 40 || 32 || 8 || 4.0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | STL
| 16 || 4 || 43 || 33 || 10 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2010 | STL
| 16 || 16 || 29 || 26 || 3 || 8.5 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | |||||||||||||
| 2011 | STL
| 16 || 16 || 37 || 31 || 6 || 13.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2012 | STL
| 16 || 16 || 33 || 25 || 8 || 11.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2013 | STL
| 16 || 16 || 40 || 33 || 7 || 8.5 || 1 || 2 || 45 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | STL
| 6 || 6 || 5 || 5 || 0 || 1.0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2015 | STL
| 12 || 5 || 19 || 9 || 10 || 3.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2016 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|NE
| 16 || 7 || 35 || 22 || 13 || 4.0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PHI
| 16 || 1 || 28 || 20 || 8 || 5.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 | PHI
| 16 || 0 || 23 || 15 || 8 || 6.5 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career{{Cite web |title=Chris Long Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/11236/chris-long |access-date=February 24, 2015 |website=ESPN }} || 162 || 103 || 329 || 249 || 80 || 70.0 || 14 || 6 ||46|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 11 |
Career after football
Following his football career, Long founded and became the host of the Green Light Podcast.{{Cite web |url=http://open.spotify.com/show/06jeyfm3I7IYGldmbp9AWu?si=c660a98c92764af6|title=Green Light with Chris Long|website=Spotify }} The Green Light Podcast features in-depth interviews with celebrities, musicians and athletes, commentary from Long and his co-hosts, football analysis and sports gambling coverage.
In May 2015, Long launched The Chris Long Foundation, which helps raise money for the Waterboys. ORG Initiative, an effort dedicated to building wells for communities in East Africa.{{Cite web |title=The Chris Long Foundation |url=http://chrislongfoundation.org}}{{Cite web |title=Waterboys Initiative |url=http://www.waterboys.org/leadership.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602013908/http://www.waterboys.org/leadership.html |archive-date=June 2, 2015}} In 2017, Long stated that he would donate his entire season's salary to charity, with the money going to a different cause each week.{{Cite news |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles to Donate Entire Salary |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/sports/football/chris-long-philadelphia-eagles-donation.html |via=NYTimes.com}} Long said in a statement: "I hope it won't stop here, but that more people will become inspired to commit energy and resources to our educational system. It will be the number of people invested in this cause that will be the difference maker for a quality education for every student in America. Education is the best gateway to a better tomorrow for EVERYONE in America."{{Cite web |title=Pledge 10 for Tomorrow |url=https://pledgeit.org/matchup/pledge10 |website=PledgeIt.org}}
He is currently a panelist on the weekly highlight show Inside the NFL, a role he has held since the show first moved to The CW in 2023.
Personal life
On June 22, 2013, Long married Megan O'Malley in Charlottesville, Virginia. O'Malley is a graduate of the University of Virginia and former member of the UVA women's lacrosse team. The couple have two children; a son born on March 2, 2016, and a second born on November 26, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2016-02-29 |title=Chris Long Has "More Than A Little Interest", Will Visit With Teams Later In Week |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/143630-2/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Free Agent DE Chris Long Announces He's A Father With Adorable Photo |url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-los-angeles-rams-chris-long-a-father-030416 |website=foxsports.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=8779}}
{{Commons}}
- {{Twitter}}
- [http://chrislongfoundation.org The Chris Long Foundation]
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{{Atlantic Coast Conference football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2007 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Ted Hendricks Award}}
{{Dudley Award}}
{{2008 NFL Draft}}
{{Second overall NFL draft picks}}
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{{Super Bowl LI}}
{{Super Bowl LII}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{"Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year}}
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Category:All-American college football players
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Long family (American football)
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Players of American football from Charlottesville, Virginia
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Players of American football from Santa Monica, California
Category:St. Louis Rams players