Terry Long (American football)

Terry Long

No. 74
Position:	Guard
Personal information
Date of birth:	July 21, 1959
Place of birth:	Columbia, South Carolina
Date of death:	June 7, 2005 (aged 45)
Place of death:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	272 lb (123 kg)
Career information
High school:	Columbia (SC) Euclaine
College:	East Carolina
NFL Draft:	1984 / Round: 4 / Pick: 111
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (1984–1991)
Career NFL statistics
Games Played: 105 Games Started: 89

Terry Luther Long (July 21, 1959 – June 7, 2005) was an American college and professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the 1980s and early 1990s. He played college football for East Carolina University, and thereafter he played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

Early years

Long was born in Columbia, South Carolina.

College career

Long attended East Carolina University, where he played for the East Carolina Pirates football team from 1980 to 1983. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 1983.

Professional career

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Long in the fourth round (111th pick overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft, and he played for the Steelers from 1984 to 1991. During his eight NFL seasons, he played in 105 games, and started 89 of them.

Death

Long committed suicide in June 2005 from drinking 1 gallon of antifreeze. An autopsy revealed that Long suffered from CTE caused by his football career.^[1][2] He had previously attempted suicide in 1991, after testing positive for the NFL's steroid test.^[3]

References

1. Frontline. "The Autopsy That Changed Football". PBS. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
2. "Ex-Steeler Long drank antifreeze to commit suicide". ESPN.com. 2006-01-26. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
3. "Terry Long Says He Attempted Suicide". Los Angeles Times. 1991-08-01. Retrieved 2013-09-16.