Former Eagles DE Chris Long announces retirement

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After an offseason of questions and uncertainty, veteran defensive end and two-time Super Bowl champion, Chris Long, has decided to hang up the cleats once and for all.

The 34-year old spent his last two seasons in Philadelphia following a one-year stint in New England and an eight-year tenure with the Rams.

During his first year with the Eagles, the Super Bowl winning season, Long amassed 28 tackles and 5 sacks before helping the Birds beat his former team to bring home the City’s first ever Super Bowl.

Not only that, but Long made an unprecedented impact on the City through his gracious and selfless charity work for the Chris Long Foundation, the donation of his entire 2017 salary to help educational equality, his kindness interacting with the community, and his impact in local communities. Long won the Walter Payton Man Of The Year award one year later.

In that same year, Long recorded 23.0 tackles and 6.5 sacks, helping the Eagles return to the postseason.

But with Father time no longer on his side and the drive for a starting role that Phialdelphia just couldn’t provide him with, Long decided to call it a day. Transparent from the off, Long was open in wanting to return to Philly, stating it was never about the money…and his actions proved that time and time again.

It’s hard to think of someone who has left such a strong mark on the City of Philadelphia, let alone someone who has done so in such a short space of time. Chris Long was a leader. Someone who children and younger players could look up to and as a result, he’ll likely never have to buy a beer in Philadelphia again.

As far as where the Eagles go from here, the team drafted Shareef Miller in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft and brought back Vinny Curry, but all of the analysis will follow shortly. This moment should be savored for thanking Chris Long for everything he’s brought to Philadelphia.