By Darin When you think of the University of Iowa’s golden era under Hayden Fry, one arm stands above the rest. Chuck Long wasn’t just a quarterback; he was a surgical technician on the field, a player who could thread a needle through the tightest Big Ten defenses while breaking records that had stood for generations. From his bizarre path to playing in five bowl games to the legendary “naked bootleg” that shocked Michigan State, Long’s journey from a lightly recruited high schooler to a Heisman runner-up is the stuff of Iowa folklore. Discover the story of the man who became the first Big Ten player to ever eclipse 10,000 career passing yards.
Football Bio
February 18, 1963 – Norman, Oklahoma – The fine quarterback of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chuck Long, was born. The NFF says Long played in five bowl games. How is that, you ask? Well, in 1982, he played in two games in the Rose Bowl, but since it was such a small amount of playing time, the NCAA did not count it as an eligible season. In 1984, he set a national record by completing 22 consecutive passes against Indiana. In 1984, he led the nation in pass completion percentage (.661). The National Football Foundation selected Chuck Long for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Conclusion
Chuck Long’s legacy at Iowa is defined by much more than just a peculiar redshirt loophole. He was the catalyst that transformed the Hawkeyes into a national powerhouse, culminating in the 1985 Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. His battle for the Heisman with Bo Jackson remains the second-closest in the award’s history, a testament to just how respected he was on the national stage. After an eight-season professional career with the Lions and Rams, Long returned to the game as a successful coach, helping lead Oklahoma to a National Championship. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, Chuck Long remains the standard by which all Hawkeye signal-callers are measured.
Verified Accolades & Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
- Maxwell Award Winner: (1985) — Awarded to the nation’s best player.
- Davey O’Brien Award Winner: (1985) — Awarded to the nation’s top quarterback.
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up: (1985) — Second-closest vote in Heisman history (lost by 45 points).
- Consensus First-Team All-American: (1985).
- Big Ten Player of the Year: (1985).
- Big Ten Silver Football Winner: 2× (1983, 1985).
- NCAA Record (at the time): 22 consecutive completed passes against Indiana (1984).
- First Big Ten Player: To surpass 10,000 career passing yards (finished with 10,461).
- Bowl Milestone: Only player in collegiate history believed to have played in 5 bowl games.
- NFL First-Round Draft Pick: Selected 12th overall by the Detroit Lions in 1986.
