Top 30 NFL players of the 1980s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA; Howie Long of the Los Angeles Raiders circa 1987 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Owen Shaw/Getty Images) (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

19. Howie Long

Howie Long must be drinking from the same fountain that Paul Rudd drinks from, because from 1980 until now, he hasn’t aged a day. Long was one of the best defensive lineman of the decade, and could stuff a run quicker than you could say “Broken Arrow.” He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection throughout the decade, including five straight appearances from 1983-87.

Long was also selected as a First-Team All-Pro in consecutive seasons in 1984 and 1985. He had 12 sacks in 1984, followed by 10 sacks in 1985. He was one of the key members of the Raiders team that beat Washington 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII.

Long was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro. He is a member of the 1980s All-Decade team, and he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. The Long name was carried on in the NFL, as Howie’s two sons, Kyle and Chris both established successful careers for themselves.

As one of the best Raiders of all time, Long is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive lineman of the 1980s. He can be found on FOX NFL Sunday every week previewing and recapping each week of games.

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