Bill Text: VA SJR242 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Christopher Howard Long.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ242ER) [SJR242 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR242-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Christopher Howard Long, defensive end in the National Football League and Virginia Cavalier, retired from professional football on May 18, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Christopher "Chris" Long began his football journey in the Commonwealth as a standout at both St. Anne's-Belfield High School in Charlottesville and the University of Virginia; in his final season as a Cavalier in 2007, Chris Long recorded 14 sacks, was named both the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, and won the Hendricks Award, a national honor given each year to the best defensive end in college football; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Chris Long was drafted second overall by the St. Louis Rams; he played for the Rams for eight seasons, followed by one season with the New England Patriots and two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles; and
WHEREAS, over his 11-year career, Chris Long recorded 70 sacks and was widely regarded as one of the best defensive ends in the National Football League; he was a member of two different Super Bowl-winning teams in back-to-back years, the Patriots in the 2016–2017 season and the Eagles in the 2017–2018 season, a feat that has rarely been accomplished in the history of the league; and
WHEREAS, Chris Long concluded his professional football career in inspiring fashion, both by starting the organization Waterboys, which works to bring clean drinking water to communities in need, and by giving his entire 2017 salary to charity, including his first six game checks to fund scholarships at his alma mater, St. Anne's-Belfield High School; for these efforts, he was recognized by the National Football League as the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Chris Long has used his platform to work for the benefit of others; as a result of his dedication, thousands of individuals are living better, healthier lives and countless more will be inspired to answer the call to serve; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Christopher Howard Long, an esteemed member of the Charlottesville community, on the occasion of his retirement from professional football; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Christopher Howard Long as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his service and best wishes for the future.
