Chris Long took to social media on Saturday night to bid a farewell to his fans in Philadelphia, and all over the NFL, announcing his retirement from the game of football. This news comes after he spent 11 seasons in the league, and he exits as a two-time Super Bowl Champion. The defensive end is the reigning Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner, but he will not be around to defend that crown in 2019, The team released a statement congratulating Long on his career, and added that "he will always be a part of the Eagles family."
The 34-year-old was known to be making a decision this off-season on his future in the NFL, and he was very clear on his mind being made up with a picture of him holding a red cup, with mountains in the background. While still deciding, he did mention that his role would have to be very clear if he was going to return, but the Eagles are changing a few things on their roster, so nothing is really official for that team heading in to next season.
With Long now gone, the likes of Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett are expected to start to begin the year. The veteran won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2016, and then was part of the Eagles' team that beat them in the Super Bowl in 2017. He was the second overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft, but was released after eight seasons with them after being hampered with injuries.
Long heads in to retirement with 70 career sacks and 85 tackles for loss, as his 6.5 sacks this past year were his most since 2013. He was known to be doing great things for charity the past few years of his career, including donating his entire 2017 salary to educational efforts in Virginia, and he will now have plenty of more time to focus on doing good in the world.
The 34-year-old was known to be making a decision this off-season on his future in the NFL, and he was very clear on his mind being made up with a picture of him holding a red cup, with mountains in the background. While still deciding, he did mention that his role would have to be very clear if he was going to return, but the Eagles are changing a few things on their roster, so nothing is really official for that team heading in to next season.
With Long now gone, the likes of Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett are expected to start to begin the year. The veteran won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2016, and then was part of the Eagles' team that beat them in the Super Bowl in 2017. He was the second overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft, but was released after eight seasons with them after being hampered with injuries.
Long heads in to retirement with 70 career sacks and 85 tackles for loss, as his 6.5 sacks this past year were his most since 2013. He was known to be doing great things for charity the past few years of his career, including donating his entire 2017 salary to educational efforts in Virginia, and he will now have plenty of more time to focus on doing good in the world.
