Howie Long - A Football Legend's Story
Howie Long, a name that just about everyone who follows football knows, is more than just a former player. He is, you know, a true icon of the game, someone who left a real mark on the sport for quite a long time. For thirteen seasons, he made a living playing professional football, pretty much dedicating his entire playing life to one particular team, the Raiders, first in Oakland and then when they moved to Los Angeles.
His time on the field, actually, was something special, marked by incredible strength and a kind of adaptability that really set him apart. He wasn't just a player; he was a presence, someone who consistently made things happen for his team, helping them achieve some truly big wins. It’s almost like he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, or maybe, in some respects, he just made the right place happen.
But the story of Howie Long doesn't just stop with his playing days, not at all. After hanging up his cleats, he actually found new ways to stay connected to the game and even branched out into other areas, showing a different side of his abilities. He's been around, you know, doing quite a bit since his playing career wrapped up, which is pretty cool.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Know Howie Long - A Look at His Background
- What Made Howie Long Such a Force on the Field?
- How Did Howie Long's Versatility Help the Raiders?
- The Silver and Black Years - Howie Long's Raiders Legacy
- What Were Howie Long's Major Accomplishments with the Raiders?
- Beyond the Gridiron - What Else Has Howie Long Done?
- Howie Long's Role as a Broadcaster
- Celebrating a Legend - When Was Howie Long Honored?
- What Does Howie Long Mean to the Raiders Today?
Getting to Know Howie Long - A Look at His Background
So, when we talk about Howie Long, we are, you know, speaking about Howard Matthew Moses Long. He came into the world on January 6, 1960. His beginnings were in Charlestown, Massachusetts, which is where he was born. This man, as a matter of fact, would go on to achieve quite a lot in the world of sports and entertainment. His story, you could say, really started there, in that Massachusetts town, before he became a familiar face to so many people across the country.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Howard Matthew Moses Long |
| Born | January 6, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA |
| Primary Career | Professional Football Player |
| Positions Played | Defensive End (and all five defensive line positions) |
| NFL Team | Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (entire career) |
| Career Highlights | 2 Super Bowl Wins, 8 Pro Bowl Selections, Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee |
| Post-Playing Roles | Actor, Writer, Football Analyst (Fox NFL Sunday) |
What Made Howie Long Such a Force on the Field?
You know, some players just have that special something, that extra drive that makes them stand out. Howie Long was, in a way, one of those people. For thirteen seasons, he was a defensive end in the National Football League, and he spent every single one of those seasons with the Raiders. That kind of loyalty, that commitment to one team for so long, is pretty rare in today's game, actually. He just kept showing up, year after year, giving his all for the silver and black.
When you look at his numbers, they really tell a story of consistent effort and impact. He finished his playing time with 84 sacks, which is a pretty good number for someone whose main job was to get after the opposing quarterback. Beyond that, he also picked up 10 fumble recoveries, meaning he was pretty good at getting the ball back for his team when it hit the ground. And, you know, for a defensive lineman, getting two interceptions is also quite a feat. These statistics, collectively, paint a picture of a player who was always around the ball, always making plays that counted.
What truly set Howie Long apart, though, was his incredible flexibility on the defensive line. He was, honestly, a player who could line up in any of the five defensive line spots. This is not something you see every day, not by a long shot. Most players, you know, they specialize in one or maybe two positions. But Howie Long, he could do it all, adapting his style to whatever the team needed in a given moment. This ability to play anywhere along the line made him a really valuable piece for his team, a true standout performer in a league full of great athletes. It meant that opponents could never quite get a handle on where he would be, or what he would be doing, which, you know, gave his team a real edge.
How Did Howie Long's Versatility Help the Raiders?
The ability of Howie Long to play all five defensive line positions was, quite frankly, a massive advantage for the Raiders. Think about it: a coach could move him around, almost like a chess piece, to exploit weaknesses in the other team's offense or to counter their strengths. If they needed more pressure from the inside, Howie Long could shift there. If they needed someone to set the edge against the run, he could do that too. This kind of player, you know, makes a defensive coordinator's job a lot easier, offering so many different options for how to attack the opposing team.
It also meant that the Raiders' defense was less predictable. When you have a player like Howie Long who can do so many things, it makes it really hard for the other team to plan against you. They couldn't just say, "Okay, Howie Long is always going to be at left defensive end." No, he could be anywhere, creating problems from any spot on the line. This flexibility, basically, added a layer of complexity for the offenses they faced, making them guess and react, which is exactly what you want from a top-tier defensive player. His presence, you know, just made the whole defensive unit that much stronger, that much more capable of shutting down plays.
The Silver and Black Years - Howie Long's Raiders Legacy
Howie Long's entire professional playing time was spent wearing the silver and black colors of the Raiders. He was, actually, a second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 1981 NFL draft. Coming into the league as a relatively high draft choice, he quickly started to show why the team had picked him. His dedication and skill were apparent from the start, and he became a cornerstone of that Raiders defense for over a decade. It's pretty cool, you know, to spend your whole career with one organization, building up that kind of history.
During his time with the team, Howie Long played a big part in some of their most memorable moments. He was, in fact, instrumental in helping the Raiders get to, and win, two Super Bowl titles. That's a huge achievement for any player, getting to the very top of the sport not once, but twice. These victories are, you know, what every player dreams of, and he was right there, contributing in a major way to those championship teams. His presence on the defensive line was a key ingredient in those winning formulas, providing the kind of tough, disruptive play that championship teams need.
Beyond the team's successes, Howie Long also received a lot of individual recognition for his outstanding play. He was, pretty much, selected to the Pro Bowl eight times during his career. The Pro Bowl, for those who might not know, is where the best players from both conferences come together to play in an exhibition game, and being chosen means you are considered among the very top at your position. To be selected eight times, that's just a testament to his consistent high level of play, year after year. It shows, you know, how highly regarded he was by his peers and by the coaches around the league.
What Were Howie Long's Major Accomplishments with the Raiders?
The list of achievements for Howie Long during his Raiders career is, honestly, quite impressive. Leading the team to two Super Bowl victories stands out as a primary accomplishment. These weren't just any wins; they were the pinnacle of professional football, requiring incredible teamwork, strategy, and individual brilliance. His role in those championship seasons, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, was, you know, absolutely central. He was a disruptive force that opposing offenses just had to account for on every single play.
Then there are the eight Pro Bowl selections. This kind of consistent recognition from his peers and coaches really speaks volumes about Howie Long's sustained excellence. To be considered one of the best at your position for so many years, that takes a special kind of talent and dedication. It means he was not just good for a season or two, but that he maintained a very high standard of play throughout the vast majority of his professional career. This, in a way, shows his longevity and his ongoing impact on the game, making him a true fixture in the league's top talent pool.
Beyond the Gridiron - What Else Has Howie Long Done?
After his playing days came to an end, Howie Long didn't just fade away from the public eye. In fact, he found new avenues to explore, showing that his talents weren't limited to just playing football. He actually became an actor and a writer, which, you know, is a pretty interesting career change for a former defensive lineman. It's kind of cool to see someone transition from such a physical sport to something completely different like the entertainment business.
He's known for a few movies, for example, "Broken Arrow" from 1996, "3000 Miles to Graceland" which came out in 2001, and "Firestorm" from 1998. These roles showed a different side of Howie Long, moving from tackling quarterbacks to delivering lines on a film set. It just goes to show, you know, that some people have a knack for more than one thing, and he certainly seems to be one of them. His presence on screen, while different from the football field, still carried that certain commanding air he had as a player.
Howie Long's Role as a Broadcaster
Perhaps one of Howie Long's most recognizable post-playing roles has been as a football analyst. He has, you know, been a fixture on "Fox NFL Sunday," which is America's number one NFL pre-game show. He's been with that show since it first started back in 1994. That's a really long time to be part of such a popular program, and it speaks to his continued relevance and his ability to connect with football fans.
His insights and commentary have been a consistent part of many people's Sunday football routine for decades now. He brings, in a way, a player's perspective to the discussions, helping viewers understand what's happening on the field from someone who has actually been there. This long tenure as an analyst, basically, means he's become a trusted voice for many who follow the game, providing analysis that is, you know, both informative and engaging. It's pretty clear he's found a comfortable and successful second career in broadcasting.
Celebrating a Legend - When Was Howie Long Honored?
For players who have truly left a lasting impact on the sport, there's a special place of honor: the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On this day, back in 2000, Howie Long, that Raiders legend, was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This moment, actually, marks the ultimate recognition for a football player, a confirmation that their contributions to the game are considered among the greatest of all time. It's, you know, a very big deal for any player to reach that level of recognition.
His induction was a celebration of a career filled with hard work, skill, and dedication to the game. It was a chance to look back at all those years he spent wearing the silver and black, making plays that helped his team win. You know, when someone gets into the Hall of Fame, it's not just about their stats; it's about their impact, their leadership, and how they influenced the game. Howie Long certainly checked all those boxes, making his place in Canton, Ohio, truly well-deserved.
What Does Howie Long Mean to the Raiders Today?
Even after all these years, Howie Long remains a significant figure for the Raiders organization and its fans. His legacy as a dominant defensive player, a Super Bowl winner, and a Hall of Famer continues to resonate with the team's history. He represents, in a way, the kind of toughness and winning spirit that the Raiders have always prided themselves on. You know, he's a true symbol of what it means to be a Raider, someone who gave everything for the team.
Interestingly, the Las Vegas Raiders recently made a move that, you know, raised a few eyebrows and got people talking. They brought in Howie Long as a bench coach. Now, when you hear "Howie Long," you probably think of a Hall of Fame football player, someone whose playing days are long behind him. This new role, apparently, adds another interesting chapter to his long association with the team, showing that his connection to the silver and black is still very much alive, even in surprising new capacities. It's pretty wild, actually, to see him take on such a different kind of role with the team he played for.
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