Joining the Cavaliers

In 2004, Chris Long signed to play football with the Virginia Cavaliers. It was a fairly easy decision for Long since Virginia has a great reputation achedemically and he lived right accross the street. Although many people think that having a father like Howie Long is a great thing it also comes with it's disadvantages. For example, throughout Long's childhood people were constantly questioning his ability and his work ethic, but as time has proved he is truly a very hard worker and a great player.

One example of this is when Long emailed another recruit for the Cavaliers, Clint Sintim, after he had signed to introduce himself. As time passed he never received a response. Clint Sintim said that he wasn't a big fan of Chris Long and that he thought, "he was just another rich kid with a famous dad."

After Chirs Long and Clint Sintim arrived to Charlottesville it wasn't before long that Sintim realized that he's ideas about Long were completely wrong. Many football players get fired up about hardships that they have fought through in their lives, but for Long it was to prove that he wasn't just riding on his father's coattail. Whenever Long hears someone say that he is soft, it makes him that much more pumped up to prove them wrong in the next game.

There are also many football players out there that aren't known and they have to have the determination to make a name for themselves. For Long he needs to prove to people that he really does have what it takes. Long has the mentality that you can never have practiced enough.

As a freshman, Chris Long was said to be a, "promising lineman who provided valuable depth along the defensive line." In 2004 he played in six games. He started off the season with limited playing time in the first three games and then had to sit out for the next five due to an illness. After he returned he was part of five tackles and one sack.