Some men play football.
Others embody it.
Howie Long, the legendary defensive end of the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders, wasn’t just a player — he was a force of nature.
Equal parts brute strength, intellect, and charisma, Long turned chaos into craft.
He was the kind of player who didn’t just sack quarterbacks — he intimidated entire game plans.
From his relentless play on the field to his successful careers in television and film, Howie Long became a symbol of old-school toughness with modern class.
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From Somerville to the Silver and Black
Howard Matthew Moses Long was born on January 6, 1960, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and raised in Somerville, a blue-collar neighborhood outside Boston.
He grew up in a working-class Irish-American family where toughness wasn’t optional — it was survival.
As a kid, Long was larger than life: strong, athletic, and endlessly curious about how things worked.
He excelled in multiple sports — basketball, boxing, and especially football — where he found his calling as a relentless competitor.
After high school, Long attended Villanova University, a small Catholic school in Pennsylvania not exactly known for producing NFL stars.
But Howie had other plans.
At Villanova, he developed into a ferocious defensive lineman, combining a wrestler’s leverage with a linebacker’s speed. He finished his college career with 84 tackles for loss and was named a first-team All-American.
His drive, discipline, and intelligence caught the eye of NFL scouts — and soon, the Silver and Black came calling.
Becoming a Raider: The Birth of a Legend
In the 1981 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Howie Long in the second round (48th overall).
He walked into one of the league’s toughest locker rooms — a band of outlaws led by owner Al Davis, who preached one mantra:
“Just Win, Baby.”
Long fit right in.
He wasn’t afraid of the chaos — he thrived in it.
Within two seasons, he became a cornerstone of the Raiders’ feared defensive line, joining teammates like Lyle Alzado, Greg Townsend, and Ted Hendricks.
Standing 6’5″ and 265 pounds, Long was a physical anomaly — quick enough to chase down running backs and strong enough to bulldoze 300-pound linemen.
His signature move, the rip and swim, became the stuff of legend, taught to generations of defensive players after him.
By 1983, Long helped lead the Raiders to Super Bowl XVIII, where they demolished Washington 38–9.
His presence in the trenches freed up teammates to dominate, and his leadership solidified his reputation as one of the game’s elite defenders.
“Howie was a mix of brains and brutality,” said coach Tom Flores. “He knew what play you were running before the ball was snapped.”
A Decade of Dominance
For over a decade, Howie Long was the foundation of the Raiders’ defense — through their move from Oakland to Los Angeles and back again.
He was selected to 8 Pro Bowls, named First-Team All-Pro 3 times, and was the 1985 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year.
But it wasn’t just his stats that made him special — it was the way he played.
Long combined technical precision with pure violence, earning the respect (and fear) of opponents.
| Category | Career Total |
| Seasons Played | 13 (1981–1993) |
| Games Played | 179 |
| Sacks | 84.0* |
| Fumble Recoveries | 10 |
| Pro Bowls | 8 |
| All-Pro Selections | 3 |
| Super Bowls | 1 (XVIII Champion) |
| Hall of Fame Induction | 2000 |
“He was the ultimate Raider,” said teammate Marcus Allen. “Tough, relentless, and loyal — everything that jersey stands for.”
(Note: Sacks became an official stat in 1982; estimates suggest Long’s true total exceeded 90.)
Brains Behind the Brawn
While many knew Howie Long for his physical dominance, his intelligence was his greatest weapon.
He studied opposing linemen obsessively, learning their footwork, hand placement, and habits.
He understood leverage better than most coaches — a product of his wrestling background.
He also had a rare ability to adapt. Whether he was rushing off the edge or clogging the interior, Long was the definition of versatility.
His combination of brains and brawn made him the perfect Raider — ferocious yet calculating, intimidating yet always in control.
Hollywood Howie: From Gridiron to the Big Screen
When Long retired after the 1993 season, most expected him to ride into the sunset as one of the all-time Raider greats.
Instead, he reinvented himself.
Hollywood came calling, and Howie Long answered.
He appeared in action films like:
- Broken Arrow (1996) alongside John Travolta
- Firestorm (1998), his first starring role
- 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
His blend of athleticism and charisma made him a natural fit for the big screen.
But while many athletes struggle to find life after sports, Long transitioned effortlessly — not just as an actor, but as a media personality.
The Broadcast Booth: Howie Long, The Analyst
Since 1994, Howie Long has been a fixture on FOX NFL Sunday, the network’s flagship pregame show.
Alongside legends like Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, and Michael Strahan, he became part of television’s most beloved football family.
With his trademark dry wit, deep football IQ, and polished professionalism, Long helped redefine what a former player could be in broadcasting.
He’s won multiple Sports Emmy Awards and earned praise for being as sharp off the field as he was on it.
“Howie is the rare guy who could dominate a locker room or a boardroom,” said FOX producer Bill Richards. “He brings the same energy to both.”
Nearly three decades later, his voice remains one of the most respected in sports media.
The Family Legacy: Football in the Blood
For Howie Long, football is more than a career — it’s a family tradition.
He and his wife, Diane Addonizio, have three sons: Chris, Kyle, and Howie Jr.
Two followed in their father’s footsteps straight into the NFL.
- Chris Long: Two-time Super Bowl champion (Patriots and Eagles) and 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
- Kyle Long: Three-time Pro Bowler (Chicago Bears).
- Howie Jr.: Works in player personnel with the Raiders organization.
The Long family represents three generations of football excellence — each carrying the values of toughness, humility, and leadership that Howie instilled.
“My dad taught us that success isn’t about fame — it’s about consistency and character,” Chris Long said.
The image of Howie watching his sons take the field, wearing their own NFL uniforms, stands as one of the most poetic full-circle moments in football history.
Hall of Fame Immortality
In 2000, Howie Long received football’s ultimate honor — induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
His acceptance speech was humble, heartfelt, and true to form. He thanked his teammates, coaches, and especially Al Davis, who believed in him when few others did.
“The Raiders weren’t just a team,” Long said. “They were a family — and once you’re a Raider, you’re a Raider for life.”
Those words echoed through the crowd, capturing the spirit of an organization built on loyalty, grit, and defiance.
Today, his Hall of Fame bust stands among the greats — a permanent reminder of the toughness, intelligence, and class that defined him.
Off the Field: The Man Beyond the Helmet
Despite his fame, Howie Long remains grounded.
He’s active in numerous charitable causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, United Way, and various military support initiatives.
He’s known for his humility and his commitment to giving back to the community — especially through youth mentorship and veteran advocacy.
“You can’t just take from the game,” Long once said. “You have to give something back — that’s the legacy that lasts.”
Accolades and Honors
| Accolade | Details |
| NFL Seasons | 13 (1981–1993) |
| Super Bowl Champion | XVIII (1983) |
| Pro Bowls | 8 |
| All-Pro Teams | 3 |
| NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year | 1985 |
| Hall of Fame Induction | 2000 |
| Sports Emmy Award | 2× (FOX NFL Sunday) |
| Raiders Ring of Honor | Yes |
| 100 Greatest Players (NFL Network) | Named in 2019 |
| Hollywood Roles | Broken Arrow, Firestorm, 3000 Miles to Graceland
Legacy: The Gentleman Gladiator
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Howie Long’s story is the perfect marriage of brawn and brain, toughness and grace.
He proved that greatness isn’t just about what you do — it’s about how you do it.
As a player, he was feared.
As a teammate, he was loved.
As a broadcaster, he is respected.
And as a man, he continues to inspire.
Few figures have managed to dominate every phase of their career with such consistency and humility.
Whether he’s breaking down film on Sundays or shaking hands with fans, Howie Long remains the same — a class act with an iron heart.
Happy Birthday, Howie Long — the Iron Raider who redefined toughness, led with intelligence, and showed that real legends never stop leading.
Howie Long Products:
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Howie Long Rookie Card 1984 Topps #111
Howie Long #75 – No Quarter T-Shirt