Howie Long
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Spotted in the hallway by the high school coach when he'd never considered playing football, Howie Long went on to excel at the game, first on an athletic scholarship to Villanova University and later as an eight-time Pro-Bowl defensive end in the National Football League. Hanging up his cleats after the 1993 season (and nine gridiron-induced operations), he made a remarkably smooth transition to TV broadcasting as a studio analyst for "NFL Fox Sunday" and as an ESPN commentator, appealing to both hard-core football nuts and a growing female audience captivated by his square-jawed good looks. Hollywood took note too, pledging to make him an action hero. Long garnered good notices for his first feature role as John Travolta's villainous sidekick in John Woo's "Broken Arrow" (1996), paving the way for his starring turn as Jesse Graves, the fearless firefighter battling a monumental blaze in "Firestorm" (1998). His 1997 Emmy Award validated him as one of the premier personalities in sports broadcasting.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1981
Joined the Oakland Raiders (later the Los Angeles Raiders) as defensive end and played his entire 13-year NFL career for the franchise; eight Pro Bowl selections and one Super Bowl win (1984) highlighted his playing days
1994
Retired from football following 1993 season
1994
Began his post-player career as a studio analyst for "Fox NFL Sunday" (also worked as a commentator for ESPN)
1996
Feature film debut as Kelly, John Travolta's villainous henchman, in John Woo's "Broken Arrow"
1996
Filmed scenes as Tom Hanks' lover in "That Thing You Do!" but ended up on cutting room floor
1998
Starred as fearless firefighter Jesse Graves battling a huge forest fire in "Firestorm"; broke two ribs and tore cartlage when he slipped on a pier and drove an ax handle into his rib cage
1998
Signed five-year contract with Fox Sports
1998
TV acting debut in the TNT Western "A Dollar for the Dead"
2001
Had co-starring role in "3000 Miles to Graceland"
Family
Companions
