Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Long wins Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award

While his playing career may be over, ex-Philadelphia Eagles lineman Chris Long is still racking up awards for his commitment to humanitarian efforts.

Chris Long is one of the best people to ever suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles, and on Wednesday night, he was once again honored for his off-field commitment to community service by being named the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award winner at the 2019 ESPY Awards.

And really, it couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

In 11-years of service spread out over the then-St. Louis Rams, the New England Patriots, and most notably the world champion Philadelphia Eagles, Chris took the torch from his Hall of Fame father and kept the Long name relevant both on and off the field.

Whether he’s confronting homelessness, donating his salary to promote child literacy, or promoting Waterboys, his charity that ‘Bringing life-sustaining drinking water to communities in need’, Long has established a new, hands-on commitment to community outreach in the NFL that should hopefully continue with the players he’s touched along the way.

I know athletes in Philadelphia will certainly be held to a higher standard in the post-Chris Long world.

Now joining an exclusive club of past winners that also includes Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, Calgary Flames‘ defenseman Mark Giordano, now-Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul (crazy, right?), and then-Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings, Long’s (presumed) final on-field award is one for the record books and should serve as a wonderful bookend to a career well-played.

And crazy enough, that’s almost excluding just how great Long played on the field.

With 70 career sacks, Long is tied for 92nd overall in NFL history among all defensive players, falling 14 shy of Hall of Fame (Villanova alum) father Howie.

Though it’s unfortunate he couldn’t leapfrog his father on the all-time list, it’s safe to say Chris Long has etched his place in NFL history not only for his accomplishments on the field but for his commitment to excellence off it.