A defensive lineman from just down the road, Long arrived on Grounds in the fall of 2004 and was quickly embraced for his work ethic, leadership, and talent. By the time he finished in 2007, Long, a two-time captain, had racked up most every award imaginable: at the University, in the conference, and nationally, including a Top 10 finish in the 2007 Heisman Trophy race. Long’s #91 was retired that season, making it the first time the University had retired the number of an active player.

Chris was selected as the 2nd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and went on to play 11 years, winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

While in the league, Long was highly respected for his work with charitable causes. In 2017 Long donated his entire salary to different education charities and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2018. That work has since continued through the Chris Long Foundation, which relentlessly serves our overlooked neighbors, both domestic and international, by creating solutions for clean water and education access.

Long’s Waterboys initiative has partnered with communities to dig dozens of wells, providing clean water to over half-a-million people, while his EdZone program provides books and other resources to low-income families in Charlottesville, Philadelphia, and St. Louis, eliminating barriers to learning and helping children arrive at school comfortable and ready to learn.