MINNEAPOLIS – Chris Long has spent this season playing for nothing – but a second Super Bowl ring in as many seasons would be more than adequate compensation for the hulking Philadelphia Eagles defensive end.
The 32-year-old veteran made headlines this year by giving away his entire paycheck to worthy causes, a way of expressing gratitude for a decade in the bruising front lines of the NFL.
The articulate, 6 ft 3 in (1.91m) linebacker is now back in the Super Bowl for a second straight year, 12 months after winning the title with the New England Patriots, who he will line up against on Sunday.
As well as his salary give-away, Long has also been a vocal supporter of Eagles team-mates who have protested against social injustice this season. Just as he did last year following the Patriots win, he has already vowed not to attend a White House reception should the Eagles win.
“Everybody wants to improve their country,” Long told reporters in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
“And athletes have a big platform. And at the end of the day I think we have a responsibility,” he added, while playing down the significance of his decision to give away his paychecks.
“I’ve been lucky, played 10 years and made a lot of money,” Long told AFP.”So I make no bones about it. I’m not the first guy to give away a million dollars to a cause. There’s a lot of charitable guys in the league, and a lot of charitable guys outside the league.”
