Howie Long '81 joins Class of 2000
Holly Stratts

In the long and sometimes illustrious history of the sport of football at Villanova, many honors have been achieved and many records set but one distinction has eluded each of the 95 Villanova players who have played profession football. No Villanovan has been inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame until July 29 when Howie Long '81 joined the class of 2000.

His career, which spanned 13 years (1981-1993), was with the same team, as a Oakland Raider and then as a Los Angeles Raider when the team moved in 1982. During this time, the defensive lineman was named to eight Pro Bowls; three-time Lineman of the Year; one-time Defensive Player of the Year; and first team, Team of the 80s as a defensive end, just to name a few of his distinctions.

In his presentation remarks at the induction ceremony, Earl Leggett, Long's former position coach with the Raiders, recalled owner Al Davis' decision to take a look at Long. "In 1981, as we were preparing for the upcoming draft, trying to put players in draft order, I was sent out to scout a college senior at Villanova by Mr. Davis. I had seen some tapes of his season and post season games so I scheduled the workout, made the trip to Villanova and the workout was very impressive. I returned to the Raiders and in our draft meeting, I recommended him as the No. 1 draft choice." Long was drafted in the second round, the 48th pick overall.
Leggett said, "Howie complained that I never said he did a good job. I always told him that's what he gets paid for. But now is the time to say...Howie, a job well done."

When the news was released naming the Class of 2000 in late January, Long told The Philadelphia Inquirer, "I was shocked. I was shocked when I was drafted. I was shocked when I I made it to the Pro Bowl. And I am shocked to be selected for the Hall of Fame. I feel complete now. It's beyond comprehension."

"I remember a scouting report said, 'Jumps good, runs good, lacks toughness. That hurt. Say anything but that. Say I can't play. But toughness... I remember talking to [then Eagles coach] Dick Vermeil. He was trying to help me. He told me, 'Make sure they try you at offensive guard before they cut you.' " Thirteen years later he finished his career as one of the best defensive lineman to play in the NFL. One prominent statistic listed on his football resume are the 91 1/2 sacks he registered.

In his acceptance speech, Long said, "I think back to the beginning of my career when a man named Al Davis drafted a kid out of Villanova in the second round and at that time many football experts thought that was a stretch, a reach. He saw something in me that many, including myself, did not. The Raiders were a team steeped in history. From the moment I walked into the Raiders camp I could feel it. It was all around me. Al Davis not only defined what the Raiders were all about but what the National Football League was all about. John Madden, George Blanda, Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, Willie Brown, Fred Balitnakopf, Gene Upshaw and Art Shell helped bring me up."

"In the 80 years of the National Football League," he continued, "over 18,000 men played this game, many great players. Of those, 204 have wound up in this final glorious destination. Of those 204, only seven have been defensive ends. Being inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame is the most prestigious individual honor in all of sports."

"Baseball has been called America's pastime but since my retirement, through my three sons, I appreciate the ability of baseball to bring families together, and in particular, fathers and sons. In my opinion baseball is America's pastime, but football is truly America's passion."
After his retirement, Long joined the FOX network in 1994 as an NFL studio analyst for FOX NFL Sunday. In 1997, he received television's Emmy Award for his work as Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst.

In 1998, he authored, along with contributors Terry Bradshaw and John Czarnecki, Football for Dummies. Among his other activities are appearances in Radio Shack commercials and in two motion pictures. The first was the 1995 action-adventure film, "Broken Arrow," starring John Travolta and Christian Slater and in 1998, Long starred in the action-adventure film, "Firestorm." A third film is planned but details are unconfirmed.

Long resides in Virginia with his wife, Diane Abbonizio Long, Esq. '82 and their three sons.