A number of generations of soccer followers have recognized Howie Lengthy as a studio analyst for Fox Sports activities’ protection of NFL video games.
However again within the day, he was an impressive defensive lineman for the then-Los Angeles Raiders who was named to the Professional Bowl eight instances and received a Tremendous Bowl championship throughout the 1983 season.
Whereas on “The Rush” podcast, he revealed the measly wage he performed for throughout the Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties.
“My recreation examine after taxes was $1007,” Lengthy mentioned.
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 massive-money period in not simply the NFL, but in addition 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 revenue that would appear very meager by right this moment’s requirements.
However even when Lengthy’s paycheck appeared small again then, his recreation was the other.
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 Crew.
He performed 13 seasons within the NFL, and even halfway by his profession, he had his sights set on changing 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 reminiscent of Terry Bradshaw, he helped the community turn into largely related to the nation’s hottest sport.
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