Long's way to Canton

Hall of Famers Published on : 8/4/2010

The Pro Football Hall of Fame received a mid-summer gift this past week. Howie Long, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his 2000 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, sent a treasure trove of photos and artifacts from his playing and acting career to the Hall of Fame.

{GALLERY}Included among the mementos were the defensive end's jersey, helmet, shoulder pads and shoes from his final season with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993. One of the most decorated defensive players of his era, Long provided many of the trophies he earned during his 13 illustrious years in the NFL as well. Among them were his 1984 and 1985 NFL Alumni Defensive Player of the Year awards and his 1986 NFL Players Association Mackey Award which honors the AFC's Defensive Lineman of the Year. Long's jersey from the 1993 Pro Bowl was also sent in the prized shipment.

Long, who transitioned to a distinguished career in television and movies following his playing days, included a prop that he wore during the 1998 Hollywood production of "Firestorm." In that movie Long played a firefighter who successfully battled a massive forest fire and the gang of criminals who set the blaze in an attempt to recover millions of dollars in stolen cash. Additionally, he provided two still images of himself while on the set of the 1996 action-thriller "Broken Arrow" which Long starred in alongside John Travolta.

"It is really exciting when we receive objects from a member of the Hall of Fame," commented Jason Aikens, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Collection Curator. "Part of the Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve professional football's historic documents and artifacts. This large addition from Howie really helps us fulfill that goal."

The newly acquired artifacts are now on display in the Hall of Fame's interactive area.