From NFL first-round pick to esports owner and television analyst
In short: Kyle Long’s journey through professional football was marked by elite talent and significant physical setbacks. After a standout career with the Chicago Bears, the former first-round selection transitioned from the gridiron to the broadcasting booth and the world of competitive racing.
Born on December 5, 1988, in Ivy, Virginia, Kyle Long entered professional football with a storied pedigree. A multi-sport talent during his secondary school years, Long played football and baseball; he is the brother of Chris Long and son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long. After the Chicago White Sox picked him during the 2008 MLB draft's 23rd round, he opted for football, attending Florida State before moving to the University of Oregon.
Long was selected 20th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2013 NFL draft, becoming the team's first first-round guard since Roger Davis in 1960. His tenure in Chicago was highly decorated, including three consecutive Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro selection. His career was defined by both high-level performance and persistent injury struggles, including a torn labrum, a strained triceps, and severe ankle and hip injuries that eventually led to his retirement in 2020.
Following his departure from the NFL, Long has successfully pivoted into new professional spheres. He returned to the field briefly with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, though injuries prevented him from playing a single snap. Today, he serves as an in-studio analyst for the NFL on CBS and hosts The NFL Today+ for Paramount+. Beyond the broadcast booth, Long has expanded his influence into esports as a part-owner of Mode Motorsports, competing in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.
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