It’s about time someone in the Long family donned a New England Patriots uniform.
Defensive end Chris Long signed with the Pats earlier this month after spending his entire eight-year career with the St. Louis Rams. For his father, Howie, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who spent his career with the Oakland Raiders after growing up in Charlestown, Mass., it’s been a long time coming.
“It’s taken a lot longer than maybe I would have thought, but a Long in a Patriots uniform would look pretty good,” Howie told ESPN’s Mike Reiss in a recent interview.
It’s not just the homecoming that excites Howie, though. As he points out to Reiss, the Patriots are the perfect fit for his 31-year-old son — or anyone who wants a chance to win a Super Bowl.
“I’ve always felt like, in my mind, the way they play, prepare, and go about their business on a day-in, day-out basis, that Chris is a Patriots-type player,” Howie told ESPN. “I think it’s a good marriage, I really do. It’s an exciting opportunity for Chris.
“At this point in his career, why do you play? You play to have an opportunity to win. It’s an organization, in the last 15 years they’ve won 13 divisions and been to six Super Bowls, winning four. They came very close to winning the other two. So if you want to have an opportunity to swing for the fence, and be around like-minded people, they have that in abundance there.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick plays a big role in that desire to come to New England.
“Listen, if Bill Belichick were coaching in Poland, I think you’d be excited about playing for him,” Howie added.
He’s not just saying nice things about his son’s new team, either.
“I know he could have gotten more money in other places,” Howie explained. “He probably would have been slotted right off the bat. But you go there for less money and you go there knowing you have to earn everything you get, and he’s excited about that opportunity with that one goal in mind — having the opportunity to be there at the end and playing relevant games and having a shot at a championship.”
It’s not quite a hometown discount for Chris, who grew up in California. Consider it more of a down payment on his first championship ring.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/USA TODAY Sports Images
