Quotes from Howie Long

I really did retire to spend more time with my boys.

Some guys, when they retire, they say they're doing it to spend more time with their family and then they do five other things.

When I was playing football, I was offered little parts in movies, but I always said 'No, thanks.' It didn't seem to be the right time.

At the end of the day, it is not about money. It is not about cars. It is about legacy and it is about rings.

People are nice in Seattle.

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 enjoy what I do on the field. In fact, I need it. But I don't have a problem separating my on-field life from my off-field life.

I think people have a different perception of me than what I am. I think they get me confused with Lyle Alzado.

I had a mental block. I didn't think I could be successful at right end.

When I played, I thought I was one of the 10 baddest guys in the world and should change for work in a phone booth. You need to think that way.

I think you get used to being looked at. It used to bother me when I was young. But you get more secure with yourself at least as a man the older you get.

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

Philadelphia is a football town. Boston is a baseball town.

I'd never carried on a conversation with a black until college.

I'm a Catholic.

For a while here in L.A., we had a problem with the wave. They didn't quite know when to wave.

As a kid, my goal was survival.

The identity of the Raiders was linked to Oakland, and the identity of Oakland was linked to the Raiders. They're synonymous. It's one and the same.

My poor wife, we stopped on the way back to the suite after our wedding reception so I could pick up a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread. I mean, I'm not a real exciting guy.

You can recover from a concussion in a week. But a knee injury can end your career.

Listen, if Bill Belichick were coaching in Poland, I think you'd be excited about playing for him.

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.

It's not like I'm a Buddhist or anything, but I think we've all got, to a certain extent, a predestined life. My journey took me from Boston to Philadelphia to Oakland to Los Angeles and then as a broadcaster. I've been fortunate.

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.