A number of generations of soccer followers have identified Howie Lengthy as a studio analyst for Fox Sports activities’ protection of NFL video games.
However again within the day, he was an excellent defensive lineman for the then-Los Angeles Raiders who was named to the Professional Bowl eight instances and received a Tremendous Bowl championship in the course of the 1983 season.
Whereas on “The Rush” podcast, he revealed the measly wage he performed for in the course of the Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties.
“My game check after taxes was $1007,” Lengthy stated.
Howie Lengthy revealed his recreation examine from the Eighties 🤯💰
FULL HOWIE LONG EPISODE ⬇️https://t.co/KDaC5jTuWw pic.twitter.com/XKTUwGtarM
— The Rush Podcast (@TheRushWithMaxx) June 28, 2024
Whereas the NFL has lengthy been America’s hottest professional sports activities league, gamers didn’t make almost as a lot within the Eighties as they’ve made since.
The large-money period in not simply the NFL, but additionally the NBA, didn’t actually begin till the Nineteen Nineties.
Within the Eighties, only a few soccer gamers made seven figures a 12 months, and gamers at sure positions made an earnings that would appear very meager by in the present day’s requirements.
However even when Lengthy’s paycheck appeared small again then, his recreation was the alternative.
At 6-foot-5 and 270 kilos, he was a hard-hitting defensive finish who recorded double-digit sacks in three seasons and ended up being named to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s NFL Eighties All-Decade Workforce.
He performed 13 seasons within the NFL, and even halfway by way of his profession, he had his sights set on turning into a broadcaster as soon as his taking part in days ended.
Shortly after his retirement, he joined Fox’s NFL broadcast crew when the then-fledgling community received protection rights, and together with colleagues resembling Terry Bradshaw, he helped the community turn out to be largely related to the nation’s hottest sport.
NEXT:
There Is A Clear Betting Favourite To Win The AFC North This Season