Howie Long

Howard "Howie" Michael Long (born January 9, 1960 in Somerville, Massachusetts) played football as a defensive end, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Long played college football at Villanova University. Drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, he would play 13 seasons for the club.

Related Topics:
January 9 - 1960 - Somerville, Massachusetts - Football - Defensive end - Hall of Fame - 2000 - College football - Villanova University - 1981 - NFL Draft - Oakland Raiders

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Long was a fearsome force on the Raiders defensive line. Long's signature defensive move was the "rip," which employed a quick, uppercut-like motion designed to break an opposing blocker's grip. He wore jersey number 75.

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Long utilized his quickness and strength to earn eight Pro Bowl selections. Long collected 84 sacks during his career (7.5 are not official as sacks were not an official statistic during his rookie year).

Related Topics:
Pro Bowl - Sacks

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After his retirement from the NFL following the 1993 season, Long pursued an acting career, focused mainly on action films, including "Firestorm", a 1998 film in which he starred. He also appears in the movie "Broken Arrow" alongside John Travolta. Long also made numerous cameo appearances on TV shows and commercials. He was a spokesman for Radio Shack, making those commercials with actress Teri Hatcher.

Related Topics:
NFL - 1993 - Action film - 1998 - Broken Arrow - John Travolta - Cameo - TV shows - Commercials - Radio Shack - Teri Hatcher

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He is best known today as an analyst for the FOX Network's NFL coverage, where he often plays the "straight man" to the comic antics of co-host Terry Bradshaw, whom Long sacked several times as a player. He hosts an annual award show on FOX, "Howie Long's Tough Guys," in which he honors the NFL players whom he deems the toughest, and gives the toughest of them a Chevrolet truck.

Related Topics:
FOX Network - Straight man - Terry Bradshaw - Sacked - Chevrolet

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He is known for the military-style crew cut hairstyle he has worn throughout much of his career.

Related Topics:
Crew cut - Hairstyle

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Long has a son, Chris, who plays football at the University of Virginia.

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