History of Kyle Long in Timeline
Kyle Howard Long, son of Hall of Famer Howie Long and brother of Chris Long, is a former NFL guard. He played college football at Oregon after attending Florida State and Saddleback College. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round in 2013, Long spent his initial seven seasons there.
1960: Historic Draft Pick
The Chicago Bears' decision to draft Kyle Long in the first round marked the first time since 1960 that the team had chosen a guard in the first round.
December 5, 1988: Birth of Kyle Long
Kyle Howard Long was born on December 5, 1988.
2008: High School Achievements and Draft Selection
In 2008, Kyle Long participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a testament to his high school football skills. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but opted to pursue college football at Florida State University.
January 2009: Leaving Florida State
In January 2009, Kyle Long left Florida State University due to academic reasons following a DWI arrest.
2009: Breaking a Bears Record
Kyle Long's selection to the 2014 Pro Bowl made him the first Bears rookie to achieve this honor since Johnny Knox in 2009.
2010: Return to Football at Saddleback College
In 2010, Kyle Long returned to football after enrolling at Saddleback College. He initially played as a defensive end before transitioning to the offensive line.
December 18, 2011: Commitment to Oregon Ducks
On December 18, 2011, Kyle Long committed to playing for the University of Oregon Ducks football team, marking a significant step in his college football journey.
2012: Playing for the Ducks and NCAA Ruling
Kyle Long played for the Oregon Ducks in 2012, starting in six out of twelve games. His request for an additional year of college eligibility was denied by the NCAA.
2013: Drafted by the Chicago Bears
In 2013, Kyle Long was drafted by the Chicago Bears, marking a significant milestone in his NFL journey.
2013: Drafted into the NFL
In 2013, Kyle Long was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.
2013: Rookie Season with the Bears
Kyle Long started his rookie season with the Chicago Bears as a right guard, making history as the first rookie in team history to start a season opener at that position during the Super Bowl era.
2013: Start of Pro Bowl Streak
Kyle Long's NFL career began in 2013, marking the start of his consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
January 8, 2014: Named to Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie Team
Kyle Long's impressive rookie season was recognized with his inclusion in Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie Team on January 8, 2014.
January 20, 2014: First Pro Bowl Selection
Kyle Long earned his first Pro Bowl selection on January 20, 2014, as a replacement for the injured Mike Iupati.
2014: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Recognition
In 2014, Kyle Long received further accolades, earning another Pro Bowl selection and being named to the Second-Team All-Pro team.
2014: Second-Team All-Pro Selection
Kyle Long was recognized for his outstanding performance in 2014 with a Second-Team All-Pro selection.
2015: Position Change and Pro Bowl Selection
The 2015 season saw Kyle Long transition back to the guard position, and his consistent performance earned him his third Pro Bowl selection.
2015: End of Pro Bowl Streak and Position Change
In 2015, Kyle Long earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection. This year also marked a change in his position as he transitioned from guard to tackle.
March 10, 2016: Signing of Bobby Massie
The Chicago Bears signed right tackle Bobby Massie on March 10, 2016.
April 15, 2016: Contract Extension
On April 15, 2016, the Chicago Bears exercised the fifth-year option on Kyle Long's rookie contract, extending his time with the team.
September 7, 2016: Multi-Year Contract Extension
On September 7, 2016, Kyle Long secured a four-year contract extension with the Bears, solidifying his place within the team.
2016: Injury-Plagued Season
In 2016, Kyle Long faced multiple injuries, including a torn labrum, a strained triceps, and a severe ankle injury that led to him being placed on injured reserve.
December 5, 2017: Placed on Injured Reserve
On December 5, 2017, Kyle Long was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury aggravated in Week 13. He also battled ankle and finger injuries throughout the season.
2017: Contract Extension through 2017
Kyle Long's contract extension secured his position with the Chicago Bears through the 2017 season.
November 3, 2018: Placed on Injured Reserve
On November 3, 2018, Kyle Long was placed on injured reserve, marking another setback due to injuries.
December 29, 2018: Activated from Injured Reserve
On December 29, 2018, Kyle Long was activated from injured reserve.
2019: First Retirement
In 2019, Kyle Long made the decision to retire from professional football.
2019: Hip Injury and Injured Reserve
In 2019, Kyle Long was sidelined by a persistent hip injury that led to his placement on injured reserve.
January 6, 2020: Retirement Announcement
On January 6, 2020, Kyle Long announced his retirement from professional football, marking the end of his career with the Chicago Bears.
March 18, 2020: Contract Option Declined
The Chicago Bears declined Kyle Long's contract option for the 2020 season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
September 16, 2020: Esports Team Ownership and Talk Show Hosting
As of September 16, 2020, Kyle Long is a part-owner of the esports team Mode Motorsports in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. He also co-hosts a weekly talk show on NASCAR.com's YouTube channel with Paul Swan.
March 18, 2021: Signing with the Kansas City Chiefs
On March 18, 2021, Kyle Long signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after deciding to come out of retirement.
2021: Short-lived Comeback
Kyle Long returned to the NFL in 2021 after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs but did not participate in any games due to injuries.
2021: Contract Extension through 2021
Kyle Long's contract extension was set to keep him with the Chicago Bears through the 2021 season.
March 9, 2024: Hall of Fame Induction
Kyle Long's contributions to college football were recognized on March 9, 2024, when he was inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Hall of Fame.