Howie Long

“The beauty of having played pro football for so long is that people haven't seen me angry, overly happy or despondent - the range of emotions a human being shows.”

“I'm a nervous dad.”

“My grandmother is the type of person, I'd be down playing cards in the park, and she'd take the dog and walk down to the park, like 10:30 or 11 at night. I was 12 years old. She'd come down yelling for me. I'd be embarrassed in front of my friends. She'd grab me by the hair on my head.”

“I've been operated on a whole bunch. I've broken everything there is to break.”

“I'm a Catholic.”

“As a kid, my goal was survival.”

“I was a quiet kid. I was very introverted, believe it or not. I never spoke above a whisper. I was always, 'Yes sir.' I was raised that way.”

“I have always felt a responsibility to pay it forward.”

“I've always been a nice guy, but let's face it football's a mean game.”

“I was uncontrollable. I didn't like school. I was younger than everyone in my class by two years. I had few friends. I never had a girlfriend. I was kind of a grandmother's boy.”

“The head coach is the director, the quarterback is the lead actor and the offensive linemen are the grips.”

“I played 13 years. I did quite well in professional football. Therefore, I do not need.”

“I'd cut school and go over to the Lori-Ann Donut Shop and eat doughnuts. I got a job at the pet store near Lechmere, unloading fish tanks. They gave me $10 for unloading a full long-bed truckload. I never broke a fish tank. When I asked for a raise, I got fired.”

“My philosophy with Hollywood is the same as when I played ball. I try to bring everything I know to whatever I do. If I fail, then it's not for lack of trying.”

“When Hall of Fame voters decide who is inducted, it's a really difficult process. Players have to have an advocate in the room, and it's typically their own local beat writer.”

“I'd never played on a team until high school. It gave me a sense of belonging, a focus, and helped build my confidence. I liked the feeling of accomplishment and the respect. Sports ideally teach discipline and commitment. They challenge you and build character for everything you do in life.”

“As a broadcaster, I've always taken the approach that I want to be informed. I want to understand. It's easy to mail it in and throw a take out there.”

“I was a street kid, but that meant hopping a ride on the back of the MTA down to Revere Beach - that's the beach that's made out of concrete - or sneaking into the Boston Garden to watch the Celtics or the Bruins.”

“I usually wear my Hall of Fame ring on a more regular basis because it is more like a college ring. It is a little more understated. The Super Bowl ring is kind of loud, but I take great pride in those two things.”

“Some teams hold a little more than others. It's an art, but it's not an art I appreciate.”