Robert Wendell Long (born February 24, 1934) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Early life

Long attended South Pasadena High School, before moving on to the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1954, he was a part of the team that shared the national championship with Ohio State University.

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Long was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (18th overall) of the 1955 NFL draft. On October 2, he was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a draft choice.

Detroit Lions

The converted Long from a defensive end into a linebacker. In 1957, he was a starter at linebacker for the NFL Championship winning team. On July 20, 1960, he was traded along with a first round draft choice (#10-Bobby Crespino), to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Jim Ninowski.

Cleveland Browns

On August 17, 1960, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for offensive end Leon Clarke.

Los Angeles Rams

In 1960, he played in 9 games. In 1961, he played in 13 games. He was released on September 4, 1962. On September 7, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys along with defensive tackle John Meyers, in exchange for a third round draft choice (#32-Willie Brown).

Dallas Cowboys

In 1962, he was a backup linebacker, appearing in 8 games.

Personal life

In 1983, he was an assistant football coach at Kansas State University.