Long gets nod from Obama for donating his salary
PHILADELPHIA » Tweeting favorite end-ofthe year stories has become the rage, former President Barack Obama jumping on the wagon Friday.
Obama targeted an NFL player, among others, tweeting: “For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what’s best about America.”
Among those highlights was the story of Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long, who has pledged to donate his entire salary from the year. A tweet from @BarackObama read: “Chris Long gave his paychecks from the first six games of the NFL season to fund scholarships in Charlottesville, VA. He wanted to do more, so he decided to give away an entire season’s salary. That’s a story from 2017.”
The tweet included a link to a Philly.com story about Long’s charitable donations.
The tweet generated millions of retweets and put a smile on the face of Long, who used the money and the matching funds to set up scholarships and educational opportunities for youth.
“At the end of the day that’s an honor that it would even fly across our former President’s radar,” Long said. “That’s the whole point of trying to do good things in the community and spreading positivity. It’s an honor to be mentioned.”
Long has had a solid season with the Eagles, notching five sacks in a rotation that has few peers in the league right now.
The Eagles (13-2) locked up the top seed in the NFC, and after opposing the Cowboys Sunday, have a bye week before prepping for their first game in the postseason since the 2013 campaign.
Long is among five Eagles who have a Super Bowl title ring. The list includes Malcolm Jenkins, LeGarrette Blount, Chris Maragos and Will Beatty.
Long and Jenkins are among the team’s most active players in the community. Jenkins, upon being named the Eagles’ Walter Payton man of the year candidate, was flattered to receiver the honor with teammates like Long on the squad.
Long was asked if he thought of a postfootball career in politics.
“No, not really,” he said. “I’m thinking about the Cowboys.”