Howie Long facts for kids
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Long in 2022
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| No. 75 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | January 6, 1960 Somerville, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Milford (Milford, Massachusetts) | ||||||||
| College: | Villanova (1977–1980) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1981 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Howie Long (born January 6, 1960) is a famous American former professional football player. He was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Howie played his entire career with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders teams.
He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats. The Raiders picked him in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft. Howie Long was chosen for the Pro Bowl eight times and was a first-team All-Pro three times. He helped his team win Super Bowl XVIII. In 2000, he was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After he stopped playing football, Howie Long became an actor and a sports broadcaster. Today, he works as a studio analyst for Fox Sports' NFL coverage.
Contents
Early Life and Sports Talents
Howie Long was born in Somerville, Massachusetts. He grew up in Charlestown, Boston, mostly raised by his uncles and grandmother.
He went to Milford High School in Milford. Howie was a great athlete in many sports. He played football, basketball, and was on the track team. He even set state records in the shot put and discus throwing events. Even though he didn't start playing football until he was 15, he became an All-America player in high school.
College Football Career
Howie Long played college football for the Villanova Wildcats near Philadelphia. He studied communications while there. He played for the Wildcats for four years.
As a freshman, he started every game and made 99 tackles. In 1978, he led Villanova in sacks with five. He also had 78 tackles that year. During his senior year in 1980, he again led the team with four sacks and made 84 tackles.
Howie started as a tight end but moved to the defensive line. He played mostly nose guard for his first two seasons. After moving to defensive end, he earned All-East honors. He was also an honorable mention All-American in his senior year. Howie also boxed at Villanova and was a champion in college heavyweight boxing.
Professional Football Career
The Oakland Raiders picked Howie Long in the second round in 1981. He played 13 seasons for the team, wearing the number 75. As a key player on the Raiders' defensive line, Howie was selected for the Pro Bowl eight times.
He was also named first-team All-Pro three times (in 1983, 1984, and 1985). He was a second-team All-Pro twice (in 1986 and 1989). John Madden, a famous coach, picked Howie for his "All-Madden" teams in 1984 and 1985. He was also on the 10th Anniversary All-Madden team in 1994.
In 1985, Howie Long won several awards. He was named the NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year. He also won the NFLPA AFC Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was even named the co-NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The next year, he was voted the Miller Lite NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year. These awards were chosen by NFL players themselves.
From 1983 to 1986, the Raiders' defense had 249 sacks. This was tied with the Chicago Bears for the most in the NFL during that time. Howie was a big part of this success.
Howie Long had 91.5 sacks during his career. His best year was 1983, with 13 sacks. This included five sacks in one game against the Washington Redskins. He also intercepted two passes and recovered 10 fumbles in his 13-year career.
He won Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders in the 1983 season. They beat the Washington Redskins. Howie played a great game, helping to stop the Redskins' strong running game. His special defensive move was called the "rip." It was a quick, uppercut-like motion to break free from blockers.
Life After Football
After retiring from the NFL in 1993, Howie Long started an acting career. He mostly appeared in action films. He starred in the 1998 movie Firestorm. He also co-starred in Broken Arrow with John Travolta. He had a smaller role in 3000 Miles to Graceland with Kevin Costner.
Howie Long also made many short appearances on TV shows and in commercials. He was a spokesperson for Radio Shack. He has also been in commercials for many big brands like Coors Light, Nike, Campbell's Chunky Soup, Hanes, Frito Lay, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Chevrolet.
Howie Long became a studio analyst for the Fox Network's NFL coverage. He often works with Terry Bradshaw. He also writes a column for Foxsports.com. He hosts an annual award show called Howie Long's Tough Guys. This show honors the toughest NFL players. In 1996, Howie won a Sports Emmy Award for being an "Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst."
Howie Long also wrote a book called Football for Dummies. This book helps regular fans understand professional football. He also volunteers his time for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In 2000, he was named the Walter Camp Man of the Year.
Howie Long is also known for a sound effect used in the movie Broken Arrow. During his character's death scene, a specific scream sound was used. It became known as the Howie scream.
- In'N Out (1984) – Groom
- Broken Arrow (1996) – Kelly
- Firestorm (1998) – Jesse
- Dollar for the Dead (1998) – Reager
- 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) – Jack
Family Life
Howie Long met his wife, Diane Addonizio, when he was a freshman at Villanova. They got married in 1982. They have three sons.
Their oldest son, Chris, was also a defensive end in the NFL. He played for the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. Chris won two Super Bowls during his career. Their middle son, Kyle, played as a guard for the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs. Their youngest son, Howie Jr., works for the Raiders in player personnel. Howie Long is a Roman Catholic.
Awards and Honors
NFL Achievements
- Super Bowl XVIII champion
- Three-time First-Team All-Pro
- Eight-time Pro Bowl selection
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
Broadcasting Awards
- 1996 - Sports Emmy Award for Studio Analyst
Halls of Fame
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000)
