Chris Long isn’t going to “stick to sports,” no matter how much NFL fans would like him to.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive end and former football player at the University of Virginia tweeted about the chaos in Charlottesville over the weekend and put his critics in their place when they suggested he keep his opinions to himself.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“Some people are tired of hearing me tweet because they want me to stick to football but I like to use social media like I was a regular guy because I think I am,” Long told CSNPhilly.com. “I don’t tell people to stick to their job when they want to talk politics. And this isn’t political. That’s the thing. Everybody is trying to turn this political. This isn’t a political issue. This is right or wrong.” (RELATED: Two New England Patriots Explain Why They Won’t Visit The White House)
Long grew up in Charlottesville where he attended St. Anne’s-Belfield and went on to be a standout for the UVa Cavaliers, leading the protests hit home more for him than most. He has been an outspoken critic of Trump and although he took a few shots at the president with regards to the protests in Charlottesville, his comments were fueled by his love for his hometown.
Hate these images… This isn’t CVille…. The tantrum will be over soon #insecurity
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 12, 2017
Insanely frustrating. Evolution will favor the self assured… not man babies with tiki torches or people playing “militia”
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 12, 2017
“I believe you’r on one side or the other. For me, being from Charlottesville, no one wants to see you sit idly by and watch that stuff happen and not say anything. And I wish there was more categorical denial from some very important people in this country who have had the opportunity to strike it down but didn’t.”
This would be a moral layup yet you go with “on many sides.” Unreal. https://t.co/Cb5XjFmrdH
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 13, 2017
Wow… to think that failure to condemn white supremacy is a form of political self preservation in America right now…. tough day.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 13, 2017
Long was one of the handful of New England Patriots players who refused to visit the White House in recognition of their Super Bowl win. He was traded to Philadelphia during the off-season.