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Long ago journey to the Heisman award
He went from the plains of the Midwest to the bright lights of New York City, a lightly recruited high school quarterback who reached the doorstep of college football’s most coveted individual award.
Chuck Long led his Wheaton (Ill.) North High School team to a state championship but it was largely a running team and Long averaged only five or six pass attempts per game. Iowa coaches never saw him play in person, but they offered him a scholarship after watching 11 game films. Northern Illinois and Northwestern were his only other suitors.
By the time his college career was over, Long amassed numerous records and played in five bowl games for the Hawkeyes. He was the first player to pass for over 10,000 yards in a college career. He was given an extra year of eligibility due to a red-shirt rule that no longer exists.
So he decided to forego the NFL draft and return for another season in 1985. Long quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy along with Auburn running back Bo Jackson. Long had led Iowa to the Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth, with signature victories over No. 2 Michigan and Michigan State.
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