Eagles Say Emotional Goodbye To Chris Long

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Fan and franchise favorite player, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long, formally announced his retirement this weekend. The hours since have been filled with emotional goodbyes from a city, a franchise, and an athlete who defined the 2018 Super Bowl champs and this era of Eagles football as much as anybody.

"When you look at everything Chris Long accomplished as a player and person, it's easy to see how fortunate we've been to have him on our team," the Eagles said in a statement issued following his retirement announcement. "There aren't many players who can say they won back-to-back Super Bowls and the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award."

Among many things — the way he comported himself, competed, and lifted up his teammates — Long gained national headlines when he donated the salary from his last 10 game checks in 2017 to education equality groups in Philadelphia, Boston, and St. Louis.

He followed that up with another major donation to an early literacy program in 2018.

Long, 34, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, had an 11-year NFL career, spending eight seasons with the St. Louis Rams, one with the New England Patriots, and two with the Eagles.

"There's no question that his work ethic combined with his unique talent made him into one of the greatest of this era's professional athletes," the Eagles statement continued.

Long had nothing but love for the city of Philadelphia and its fans, too.

Various Eagles players wished Long farewell on social media.

Long also had some parting words for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, perhaps making a reference to a report from January which questioned him.

The Eagles will kick off their 2019 preseason against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 8.

See related:

• Read Nick Foles' Emotional Goodbye Letter To Philly
• Eagles Victory Over Bears Already Becoming Stuff Of Legend