page_title: Chris Long
section_title: College career
hierarchical_section_title: Chris Long / College career
caption_attribution_description: Chris Long at the Gator Bowl 2008 Jacksonville, Fl
context_page_description: Christopher Howard Long is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League for 11 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long and older brother of retired guard Kyle Long, he played college football at Virginia where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Rams as the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, whom he was a member of for eight seasons. Long later played one season for the New England Patriots and two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl title with each.
  Along with Ken Norton Jr., Deion Sanders, Brandon Browner and Long's teammate LeGarrette Blount, Long is one of only five NFL players to win consecutive Super Bowls for different teams, having won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots and Super Bowl LII with the Eagles. He also received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2018 for his charitable work, which included donating his entire 2017 salary to charity.
context_section_description: Long played college football at the University of Virginia under head coach Al Groh from 2004 to 2007, while pursuing a degree in sociology.  As a freshman in 2004, he was a backup on the defensive line, but missed five games due to mononucleosis.  Long ended the season with five tackles (two for a loss) and a sack.
  As a sophomore in 2005, Long averaged 3.8 tackles per game, leading all Virginia defensive linemen. He totaled 46 tackles, with 10 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks. His 26 quarterback pressures led his team. He also shared the team lead in pass break-ups with seven.
  In 2006, Long earned second-team All-ACC honors and was voted team captain.  While starting all games, Long recorded 57 tackles, 12 for a loss, and 4 sacks. His 4.8 tackles per game was fourth among ACC defensive lineman. He was also a finalist for the Dudley Award, for the most outstanding player in the Commonwealth of Virginia and was an All-State selection.
  Following his senior season in 2007, Long was recognized as a unanimous First-team All-American. Long was fourth nationally in tackling by a defensive lineman, averaging 5.3 tackles per game. In addition, North Carolina head coach Butch Davis, who coached against Long in North Carolina's ACC match-ups with Virginia, called Long one of the premier defensive linemen in the country.
  Long entered the 2007 season on the watch lists for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Trophy, Lombardi Trophy, Hendricks Award, and the Lott Trophy. He finished the season as a finalist for the Lombardi, Lott, and Nagurski Trophies. On December 5, Long won the 2007 Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in the nation. Long garnered more than 60 percent of the votes, the most ever for a winner in the history of the award. Additionally, Long received a first-place vote and finished 10th in the 2007 Heisman Trophy voting.
  Although he never completed his degree, Long's #91 jersey was retired at the University of Virginia on November 24, 2007, making him the first to have his jersey retired while an active player.
caption: Long, as a member of the Cavaliers, in the Gator Bowl
  in January 2008
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