Howie Long is widely known as a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end who spent 13 seasons with the Raiders, won Super Bowl XVIII, and later became a longtime analyst on Fox NFL Sunday. Raised in Boston by his grandmother and uncles, he rose from a tough childhood to become one of the most feared pass rushers of the 1980s.
Many younger fans know Howie Long as the calm, sharp voice beside Terry Bradshaw on Sunday mornings. Older fans remember him as a towering No. 75 who chased quarterbacks for the Raiders. His story connects both worlds.
This article covers his early life, college days, NFL career, Hall of Fame honors, TV and film work, and the family he built. Every part is written in simple words so anyone can read and enjoy it.
Quick Facts: Howie Long
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Howard Matthew Moses Long |
| Born | January 6, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Somerville, Massachusetts |
| Raised In | Charlestown, Boston |
| High School | Milford High School |
| College | Villanova University (communications) |
| NFL Draft | 1981, 2nd round, 48th overall |
| NFL Team | Raiders (1981–1993) |
| Jersey Number | 75 |
| Position | Defensive end |
| Super Bowl | XVIII champion |
| Pro Bowls | 8 |
| Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2000 |
| TV Career | Fox NFL studio analyst since 1994 |
| Wife | Diane Addonizio (married 1982) |
| Children | Chris, Kyle, and Howie Jr. |
Who Is Howie Long?
Howie Long is a former NFL defensive end who played his whole career with the Raiders. He joined the team in 1981 and retired after the 1993 season.
He was known for his size, speed, and toughness. At 6 feet 5 inches and about 268 pounds, he was a nightmare for offensive linemen.
After football, Howie built a second career on TV. Since 1994, he has worked as a studio analyst for Fox Sports’ NFL coverage.
He also tried acting, starring in action films in the 1990s. Today, many fans know him as both a football legend and a familiar TV face.
Howie Long’s Early Life in Boston
Howie was born on January 6, 1960, in Somerville, Massachusetts, just outside Boston.
He grew up in Charlestown, a tough, working-class Boston neighborhood. He was raised mostly by his maternal grandmother and his uncles.
That childhood was not easy. But it helped shape the hard-working, tough player he would become.
As a teen, he attended Milford High School in Milford, Massachusetts. There, his size and strength started to stand out on the football field.
Howie Long’s College Years at Villanova
Howie played college football at Villanova University near Philadelphia from 1977 to 1980. He earned a degree in communications, which later helped his TV career.
He started out as a tight end but moved to the defensive line. As a freshman, he started every game and made 99 tackles.
He led Villanova in sacks as a sophomore and again as a senior. In his final year, he earned All-East honors and honorable mention All-American recognition.
He was also named MVP of the Blue–Gray Football Classic in 1980. College set the stage for his NFL career.
How Howie Long Met Diane Addonizio
Villanova also changed Howie’s personal life. During his freshman year there, he met Diane Addonizio, who would become his wife.
The two married in 1982, during Howie’s early years with the Raiders.
Diane later spoke about his intensity in a 1985 Sports Illustrated story. She described him as being “like a volcano about to erupt.”
Their marriage has now lasted more than four decades. You can read more about Diane’s own story in our full profile of Diane Addonizio.
Howie Long’s NFL Draft and Raiders Debut
The Oakland Raiders picked Howie in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft, with the 48th overall pick.
He spent his rookie season in Oakland. The team then moved to Los Angeles, where he played the rest of his career.
He wore the number 75, which became one of the most famous numbers in Raiders history.
When he retired, he was the last player on the team who had been a Raider before the move to Los Angeles.
Howie Long’s Super Bowl XVIII Win
The 1983 season was one of Howie’s best. He recorded 13 sacks, his career high.
That year included a huge game against the Washington Redskins on October 2, 1983, when he had five sacks.
The Raiders and Washington met again in Super Bowl XVIII in January 1984. Playing left defensive end, Howie helped shut down Washington’s strong running game.
The Raiders won the title, giving Howie the only Super Bowl ring of his playing career.
Howie Long’s Peak Years
From 1983 to 1985, Howie was named first-team All-Pro three years in a row. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors in 1986 and 1989.
In 1985, he shared the NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year award with Andre Tippett. He also won the George Halas Trophy.
He was voted defensive lineman of the year by both the NFL Alumni and the NFLPA that season.
His signature move was the “rip,” a quick, uppercut-like motion that broke a blocker’s grip. Many young players tried to copy it.
Howie Long’s Career Stats and Honors
Over 13 seasons, Howie earned eight Pro Bowl selections.
He finished with 91.5 sacks, though only 84 are official because sacks were not tracked in his rookie year. He also had two interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.
He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That same year, he was named the Walter Camp Man of the Year.
Howie Long’s Move Into Broadcasting
Howie planned his TV career early. In 1986, he told Inside Sports he wanted to stay close to football through broadcasting after his playing days.
He kept that promise. After retiring following the 1993 season, he joined Fox in 1994 as a studio analyst.
On Fox NFL Sunday, he often plays the calm “straight man” next to the jokes of Terry Bradshaw. Their friendship has become part of the show’s charm.
In 1996, Howie won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality and Analyst.
Howie Long’s Acting Career
Howie also tried acting in the 1990s, mostly in action films.
In 1996, he co-starred with John Travolta in Broken Arrow. His character’s death scene used a sound effect that became famous as the “Howie scream.”
In 1998, he took the lead role in Firestorm. In 2001, he had a part in 3000 Miles to Graceland with Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell.
He also filmed a role in That Thing You Do! (1996), but it was cut from the theater version and only appeared in the extended DVD cut in 2007.
Howie Long’s Commercials and Book
Howie has appeared in many national TV commercials over the years. He was a well-known spokesman for Radio Shack, filming ads with actress Teri Hatcher.
He has also worked with brands like Chevrolet, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Pizza Hut.
In the early 2000s, he hosted Howie Long’s Tough Guys, an award show on Fox that honored the NFL’s toughest players.
He also co-wrote Football for Dummies (2003) with John Czarnecki. The book helps everyday fans understand the game.
Howie Long’s Sons and Football Legacy
Howie and Diane have three sons, and football runs in the family.
Their oldest, Chris Long, became a defensive end like his dad. He played for the Rams, Patriots, and Eagles and won two Super Bowls.
Their middle son, Kyle Long, became a guard. The Chicago Bears picked him 20th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021.
Their youngest, Howie Long Jr., worked in player personnel for the Raiders, his father’s old team.
Howie Long’s Faith and Giving Back
Howie is a Roman Catholic. Faith has been part of his life away from the cameras.
He is also an alumnus of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and volunteers his time with the group.
Growing up in a tough Boston neighborhood, he knows how much support matters for young people.
His friendship with Terry Bradshaw has also been described as being as strong as brothers, showing the loyal side of his personality.
Final Thoughts
Howie Long’s story is one of steady climbing. He went from a hard childhood in Charlestown to Villanova, the Raiders, a Super Bowl ring, and the Hall of Fame.
When his playing days ended, he did not fade away. He followed the plan he spoke about years earlier and built a lasting TV career.
Maybe his greatest legacy is at home. A family with two NFL players and a Raiders front office worker shows how deeply his love for the game was passed on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What team did Howie Long play for?
Howie Long played all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Raiders, from 1981 to 1993, in both Oakland and Los Angeles.
Did Howie Long win a Super Bowl?
Yes. Howie Long won Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders in January 1984, beating the Washington Redskins.
When was Howie Long inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Howie Long was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Who is Howie Long’s wife?
Howie Long’s wife is Diane Addonizio. They met at Villanova and married in 1982.
Are Howie Long’s sons in the NFL?
Two of his sons played in the NFL. Chris Long won two Super Bowls as a defensive end, and Kyle Long played guard for the Bears and Chiefs. His youngest son, Howie Jr., worked for the Raiders.
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