By Darin Born on January 6, 1960, in Somerville, Massachusetts, Howie Long quickly became one of the most feared and dominant defensive ends of his era. After establishing his foundation as a four-year letterman at Villanova, he spent 13 formidable seasons with the Oakland Raiders, racking up an impressive sack total and collecting numerous accolades. Read on to explore the illustrious career that culminated in his well-deserved 2000 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
January 6, 1960 – Somerville, Massachusetts – Howie Long, the four-year letterman from Villanova, was born. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Howie was a 1981 second-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders. He spent 13 seasons with the club and registered 84 sacks. You could probably add another 7-½ sacks to the total because, in his rookie season, sacks were not an official statistic in the NFL. Long was an All-Pro in three different seasons and was selected to play in 8 Pro Bowls. During the festivities in Canton in 2000, Howie Long was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
Howie Long’s career with the Raiders was marked by relentless intensity and elite performance. His 84 official sacks—a figure conservatively estimated to be over 91 total—solidified his place as a defensive powerhouse. Achieving All-Pro status three times and earning eight Pro Bowl selections across his 13 seasons demonstrates the consistent excellence that made him a cornerstone of the Raiders’ defense and secured his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2000)
- Pro Bowl Selection (8 times)
- All-Pro (3 different seasons)
- Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Defensive End (13 seasons)
- Official Sacks Total (84)
- NFL Draft (1981, Second Round pick of the Oakland Raiders)
- Villanova University (Four-year letterman)
