Howie Long, National Football League Hall of Famer and former defensive end for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, is currently best known as in-studio analyst for the Emmy Award winning FOX NFL Sunday. In 2018, Long was added an in-studio analyst to FOX Sports Thursday Night Football Pregame Show. On the gridiron, Long was regarded as one of the most feared defensive players in the history of the NFL as a member of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. The Raiders selected Long in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft from Villanova University. In his 13 years playing for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, Long was elected to the Pro Bowl eight times, tying the Raiders’ all-time record. Three times he was chosen Defensive Lineman of the Year. In 1985, he was voted Seagrams Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL coaches and general managers. Long was honored by being named to the first team of the “All Decade Team of the 80’s”. In 1983, Long helped lead the Raiders to their Super Bowl victory over the Washington Redskins. On July 29, 2000, he secured a place among the all-time greats of the game with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Over the last 24 years, Long has been an Emmy Award-winning analyst for Fox NFL Sunday. During that time Fox NFL Sunday has been the number one rated pre-game show for over 20 years. Long has participated in eight Super Bowl broadcasts viewed by over 800 million people. Long has also hosted “Howie Long’s Tough Guys Show” on FOX, honoring the toughest players in the NFL. In addition, he has appeared on programs such as HBO’s “Inside The NFL” and “NFL Diary” as well as NBC’s “NFL Live.” In 1992, Long served as the segment host of ESPNU’s “Up Close.” Long currently serves as a brand ambassador and national spokesperson for Chevrolet/General Motors and Skechers. Long has been featured in numerous national commercials and advertising campaigns including Radio Shack, Allstate, Nike, Hanes, Campbell’s Soup, Pepsi, Sprint, Bristol-Myers, Kellogg’s, A1 Steak Sauce, and M&Ms. Over the years, his persona has been used on everything from clothing to toy figures to candy bars. A multi-talented performer, Long launched a successful television and film career. He made his feature film debut in John Woo’s 1996 box office hit BROKEN ARROW alongside Travolta and in 1998 FIRESTORM. Long was also featured in 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND which starred Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell. Long’s sharp wit and keen analysis have made him a sought-after guest writer for books and publications including Football for Dummies, USA Today and Cosmopolitan magazine. He has also written the introduction to the Bo Jackson biography “Bo Knows Bo.” In addition to his professional duties, Long has been active globally, nationally and locally in charity work. While Long’s non-profit involvements are too numerous to list, his focus is on children, health issues and youth athletics. In 2001 Long was named “Man of the Year” by the Walter Camp Foundation for his philanthropic efforts in the community. He is also a past recipient of the West Coast Father’s Day Council “Father of the Year” award. He has done everything from establishing scholarship funds to helping build athletic fields for kids. He was the founding National Chairman for Athletes & Entertainers for Kids. For many years Howie and his wife, Diane, have been dedicated supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs, both in Central Virginia and Montana. Long has made several trips to military bases in the United States and around the world, individually and also with the USO. Professional football is truly a family affair for the Longs. The Longs have had two sons selected in the first round of the NFL Draft: Chris selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 2nd pick in 2008 and Kyle selected by the Chicago Bears with the 20th pick in the 2013 draft. Chris has since gone on to win two Super Bowl Championships – one with the New England Patriots and most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles. Chris has followed the family tradition of service by establishing the Chris Long Foundation, whereby he supports programs aimed at educational equality and “Waterboys,” which provides sustainable wells to communities in Africa. The Longs’ youngest son, Howie, is currently working with the Oakland Raiders. Howie resides in Virginia and Arizona with his wife of 35 years, Diane.
