Chris Long is a former NFL defensive end, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the most respected humanitarians the league has produced. He is the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long. Across 11 seasons with the Rams, Patriots and Eagles, he built a reputation as a relentless edge defender. Off the field, he became known as a funny, candid voice on social media and later as a podcast host and analyst. This guide covers his football career, stats, family, charity work, media career and net worth.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Howard Long |
| Nickname | White Thunder |
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Age | 41 years old (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Profession/Occupation | Former NFL defensive end, podcast host, NFL analyst, philanthropist |
| Years Active | 2008–2018 (NFL) |
| Education | St. Anne’s-Belfield School; University of Virginia (Sociology) |
| Genre/Field | American football, sports media |
| Spouse/Partner | Megan O’Malley (married 2013) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Parents | Howie Long (father) and Diane Addonizio |
| Siblings | Kyle Long, Howie Long Jr. |
| Net Worth | About $40 million (estimated) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) |
| Weight | 270 lbs (122 kg) |
| Notable Works | Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, Waterboys initiative |
| Awards/Honors | 2× Super Bowl champion, 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, 2007 Ted Hendricks Award |
| Social Media | Twitter/X, Instagram |
Early Life and Family Background
Chris Long was born on March 28, 1985, in Santa Monica, California. He is the oldest son of Howie Long, the Hall of Fame defensive end who starred for the Raiders and later became a well-known NFL analyst on television. Football was part of the household from day one.
The family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, while Chris was still young. That town became his true hometown. It is where he went to school, played college football, and later returned to build a family of his own.
Football talent runs deep in the Long family. His younger brother Kyle Long became a Pro Bowl NFL guard with the Chicago Bears. His other brother, Howie Long Jr., went into team operations and worked as a personnel and scouting assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders.
There is also a Hollywood thread in the family tree. Chris is the godson of Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, his father’s longtime broadcasting partner. Relatives on his mother’s side include film director Irvin Kershner, and as an infant, Chris even appeared in an anti-underage drinking PSA.
High School Career at St. Anne’s-Belfield
Long played his high school football at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville. As a senior, he was a dominant strong-side defensive end, recording 91 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. Those numbers helped lead his team to an undefeated season and a state title.
He was not just a football player. Long also played basketball, baseball and lacrosse, which gave him the footwork and body control that later made him so hard to block. He has described his younger self as a gangly kid who grew into his frame late.
By the end of his senior year, he stood 6-3 and weighed around 268 lbs. Recruiting services rated him a 4-star prospect and one of the best prep defensive ends in the country, ranking around sixth at the position.
He played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and committed to the University of Virginia in 2003. Staying home in Charlottesville to play for the Cavaliers turned out to be the decision that launched his career.
College Career at Virginia
Long played for the Virginia Cavaliers from 2004 to 2007 under head coach Al Groh. His early years were quiet. He started as a backup on the defensive line, and in 2005, a bout of mononucleosis cost him several games and slowed his progress.
His breakout came in 2006, when he earned second-team All-ACC honors as a junior. He posted 46 tackles and started to show the pass-rush burst that scouts would later love.
His senior season in 2007 was one of the best by any defender in the country. He recorded 14 sacks, ranking 4th nationally, along with 19 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback pressures. As team captain, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-American.
Long won the 2007 Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi, Lott and Nagurski trophies and even drew votes in Heisman balloting, which is rare for a defensive lineman.
Virginia retired his No. 91 jersey on November 24, 2007, while he was still an active player. Few schools do that, and it shows how much he meant to the program. He also won the Dudley Award as the best college player in the state of Virginia.
2008 NFL Draft and Combine
Long entered the 2008 NFL Draft as one of the safest prospects in the class. At the Combine, he measured 6’3″ and 272 lbs with 32¾” arms and 10⅛” hands. He was always going to be judged as the son of a Hall of Famer, and he handled that pressure well.
His testing numbers confirmed his athleticism. He ran the 40-yard dash in about 4.75 seconds, posted a 34-inch vertical and a 10’4″ broad jump. He skipped the bench press due to an injured thumb but performed well at his Virginia Pro Day.
| Combine Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’3″ |
| Weight | 272 lbs |
| Arm Length | 32¾” |
| Hand Size | 10⅛” |
| 40-Yard Dash | 4.75 seconds |
| Vertical Jump | 34″ |
| Broad Jump | 10’4″ |
On April 26, 2008, the St. Louis Rams selected him No. 2 overall in the first round. Head coach Scott Linehan made it clear he would have to earn the role, but he was the presumptive starter from day one.
On July 19, 2008, Long signed a six-year deal worth $56.5 million with $29 million guaranteed. That contract put him among the highest-paid rookies of his class.
Chris Long NFL Career
Searches for Chris Long NFL usually focus on his three stops: eight seasons in St. Louis and then back-to-back Super Bowl runs in New England and Philadelphia. Each chapter showed a different side of him as a player.
St. Louis Rams (2008–2015)
Long started all 16 games as a rookie in 2008 and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and Sporting News All-Rookie teams. He recorded 4 sacks and 43 tackles that year. His first career sack came in an early-season game, and he quickly became the anchor of the Rams’ left defensive end spot.
His production climbed steadily. In 2010, he posted 8.5 sacks. In 2011, he exploded for a career-high 13 sacks, his best season as a pro. He followed that with 11.5 sacks in 2012 and 8.5 in 2013, giving him four straight years as one of the most productive pass rushers on the team.
In 2012, the Rams rewarded him with a 4-year, $50 million extension that included $27 million guaranteed. He was consistently among the league leaders in QB pressures and hurries, even in seasons when his sack totals dipped.
Things got rougher after that. In a heated Rams–Bears game on November 24, 2013, against his brother Kyle’s team, Long was ejected for throwing a punch and later fined $15,750. Then in 2014, ankle surgery limited him to just 6 games, and 2015 brought more injuries and only 12 games.
The Rams released him on February 19, 2016. He left St. Louis with 54.5 sacks, which ranked near the top of the franchise’s list. Watching his film from the 2011 season, what stands out is how often he won with effort alone. He never had the flashiest moves, but he simply refused to stop.
New England Patriots and Super Bowl LI
On March 18, 2016, Long signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the New England Patriots. It was a “prove it” contract for a player many thought was past his prime. He wore No. 95 and played in every game, starting 7 of them.
Bill Belichick used him as a situational rusher and rotational edge player rather than a full-time starter. He recorded 4 sacks during the 14–2 regular season. The role change actually extended his career by keeping him fresh.
His first Super Bowl came in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. New England trailed 28–3 before pulling off the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and winning 34–28 in overtime.
Long played a key role in that comeback. Late in the fourth quarter, he drew a holding penalty on Falcons tackle Jake Matthews that pushed Atlanta out of field-goal range. That one play is rarely mentioned in highlight reels, but it helped save the game.
Chris Long Eagles Years and Super Bowl LII
The Chris Long Eagles era began with a two-year deal in 2017. He switched to No. 56 and became one of the most valuable rotational pass rushers in the NFC. On a deep defensive line, he gave the team fresh legs every series.
In 2017, he recorded 5 sacks and a career-high 4 forced fumbles while playing in all 16 games. He also became a locker-room leader. During the playoffs, he wore the famous underdog mask after Philadelphia was listed as underdogs with backup quarterback Nick Foles under center.
The Eagles beat Minnesota in the NFC Championship and then faced Long’s former team, the Patriots, in Super Bowl LII. Philadelphia won 41–33. That gave Long back-to-back Super Bowl titles with two different teams, something very few players have ever done.
His final season in 2018 was quietly excellent. He posted 6.5 sacks, 15 QB hits and 53 total pressures. Pro Football Focus gave him a 74.4 overall grade with a 71.7 pass-rush grade, ranking him 26th among 107 qualified edge defenders.
Retirement
Long last played in the 2018 Wild Card round with the Eagles. Many expected him to come back for one more season, and Philadelphia was open to it. Instead, he took time to think it over during the offseason.
On May 18, 2019, he announced his retirement on Twitter. The post was typical Chris Long: honest, funny and full of gratitude toward teammates and fans. He finished with 11 seasons in the league.
His timing was smart. He left as a respected veteran coming off a strong season and the 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, rather than fading out with injuries. Few players get to choose their exit that cleanly.
Chris Long Stats
The full Chris Long stats line shows a durable, productive edge defender. He played 162 games across 11 years of experience, with 103 starts. His career total sits at 70 sacks, 332 combined tackles and 15 forced fumbles.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 162 |
| Games Started | 103 |
| Sacks | 70.0 |
| Combined Tackles | 332 |
| Solo Tackles | 252 |
| Tackles for Loss | 85 |
| QB Hits | 150 |
| Forced Fumbles | 15 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 6 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
By team, his sack split shows where he did most of his damage:
| Team | Years | Sacks |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Rams | 2008–2015 | 54.5 |
| New England Patriots | 2016 | 4.0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2017–2018 | 11.5 |
His best season came in 2011 with 13 sacks. In the playoffs, he played across 8 games and recorded half a sack. His career Approximate Value sits at 58, which reflects a long, steady career rather than a short peak.
Awards and Honors
Long’s trophy shelf covers college, the NFL and community work. That last category is where he stands apart from most former players.
- 2× Super Bowl champion (Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LII)
- 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
- 2017 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award
- 2008 PFWA All-Rookie Team
- 2007 Ted Hendricks Award
- 2007 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2007 unanimous first-team All-American
- 2007 first-team All-ACC and 2006 second-team All-ACC
- Dudley Award winner
- No. 91 jersey retired at Virginia
The Walter Payton award matters most to many fans. It recognizes community impact, not stats, and Long earned it after years of charity work that he often did without cameras around.
Waterboys and the Chris Long Foundation
Long founded the Chris Long Foundation and launched Waterboys in May 2015. The idea came after a Tanzania trip where he climbed Kilimanjaro and saw the region’s water crisis firsthand. Roughly 1 in 9 people worldwide lack access to clean water, and that statistic stuck with him.
Waterboys builds well-building projects for communities in need across East Africa. The original goal was to fund 32 water wells, one per NFL team. Other players joined in, and the program now aims to provide clean water to 1 million people.
The initiative also supports military veterans. Long teamed up with former Green Beret and NFL long snapper Nate Boyer to bring veterans and NFL vets on Kilimanjaro climbs that raise money and awareness.
His most famous act of giving came in 2017. He donated his entire 2017 salary to education causes. His first six game checks funded scholarships in Charlottesville, and the rest went to education equality programs in the cities where he played, including the Summer Search Philadelphia program.
The foundation also focuses on youth education and military appreciation. In my view, what makes his charity work credible is that it came before the awards, not after. He was building wells long before anyone handed him a trophy for it.
Media Career: Green Light Podcast and Inside the NFL
After retirement, Long moved into media almost immediately. He became host of the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, which runs on the Blue Wire network. The show mixes football analysis, athlete interviews and celebrity interviews.
The podcast works because of his personality. He talks like a player, not a broadcaster, and guests relax around him. Episodes cover everything from locker-room stories to betting talk and current NFL storylines.
He also founded Chalk Media, a media company that produces sports content and podcasts. Running a company gave him more control over the shows he wanted to make.
In 2023, he joined Inside the NFL as an analyst and panelist. That show has a long history, and his spot on the panel put him alongside some of the biggest names in football analysis. Much like his father, he has found a second career in front of the camera.
Chris Long Net Worth and Contracts
The estimated Chris Long net worth is around $40 million. Most of that comes from NFL contracts earned over 11 seasons, plus income from his podcast, media work and Chalk Media.
| Contract | Team | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Rookie Deal | St. Louis Rams | 6 years / $56.5M ($29M guaranteed) |
| 2012 Extension | St. Louis Rams | 4 years / $50M ($27M guaranteed) |
| 2016 Deal | New England Patriots | 1 year / $2M |
| 2017 Deal | Philadelphia Eagles | 2 years |
His biggest payday came from the 2012 extension in St. Louis. After his release, he chose shorter, cheaper deals to chase a ring, and that decision paid off twice.
It is worth noting that his net worth would be higher if not for his giving. Donating a full season’s salary in 2017 is rare at any level of the sport. That choice says more about his priorities than any contract figure.
Chris Long Wife and Children
People searching for Chris Long wife are looking for Megan O’Malley. She is a UVA graduate and a former UVA women’s lacrosse player. The two met through the Virginia athletics community.
They married on June 22, 2013, in Charlottesville. Megan has kept a lower public profile than her husband, but she has supported the Waterboys mission and his foundation work.
The couple has two sons. Their first son was born on March 2, 2016, and their second son arrived on November 26, 2018, during Long’s final season with the Eagles.
The family lives in Charlottesville, close to where Chris grew up. For a player who bounced between St. Louis, New England and Philadelphia, returning home was always part of the plan.
Social Media Personality
Long is one of the funniest former players online. On Twitter and Instagram, he mixes football takes with jokes, dog photos and life lessons. He is a proud dog lover, and his pets show up in his posts often.
He is also a music fan, with a love for classic guitarists like Hendrix and Clapton. He often shares music picks alongside sports commentary.
Some of his posts became viral moments. He once joked about buying Powerball tickets, poked fun at rival Tom Brady after Super Bowl LII, and shared a miniature-art Super Bowl scene a fan made for him. He also traded jokes with teammate Rod Carriker and other players.
What fans like is that he does not take himself too seriously. He can talk about clean water in East Africa one day and roast a local news crew the next. That balance made him one of the most-followed retired defensive ends online.
Other People Named Chris Long
The name Chris Long belongs to several well-known people, which is why search results often get mixed up. Here is how to tell them apart.
Chris Long and Janel Parrish: The Chris Long Janel Parrish search refers to a different person. Actress Janel Parrish, known for Pretty Little Liars, married businessman Chris Long in 2018. He is not the former NFL defensive end, whose wife is Megan O’Malley.
Chris Long and Juice WRLD: Searches for Chris Long Juice WRLD come from the music world. That link involves a different Chris Long connected to the late rapper’s circle, not the football player.
Herdy Gerdy lead programmer Chris Long: The Herdy Gerdy lead programmer Chris Long search points to a video game developer. He worked on Herdy Gerdy, the 2002 PlayStation 2 game, and has no link to the NFL.
Ruth’s Chris Long Beach: Searches for Ruth’s Chris Long Beach or Ruth Chris Long Beach are about the Ruth’s Chris Steak House location in Long Beach, California. The overlap is just a name coincidence with “Chris” and “Long.”
FAQs
How Old Is Chris Long?
Chris Long is 41 years old as of 2026. He was born on March 28, 1985, in Santa Monica, California, which makes him an Aries.
Is Chris Long in the Hall of Fame?
No, Chris Long has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Hall of Fame Monitor score is 27.78, compared to 102.38 for the average Hall of Fame defensive end, ranking him 154th among defensive ends. His father, Howie Long, is the Hall of Famer in the family.
How Many Super Bowls Did Chris Long Win?
Chris Long won 2 Super Bowls. He won Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots and Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning back-to-back titles with two different teams.
What Jersey Numbers Did Chris Long Wear?
He wore No. 91 with the St. Louis Rams, No. 95 with the New England Patriots and No. 56 with the Philadelphia Eagles. His No. 91 college jersey is retired at Virginia.
Is Chris Long Related to Kyle Long?
Yes. Kyle Long is his younger brother and a former Pro Bowl guard for the Chicago Bears. The two faced each other several times when the Rams played the Bears.
What Is Chris Long Doing Now?
Chris Long works in sports media as host of the Green Light Podcast and as an analyst on Inside the NFL. He also runs Chalk Media and continues his charity work through Waterboys and the Chris Long Foundation.
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