Games with Names - Dudes on Howie Long

Episode Date: May 2, 2026

We're covering NFL Hall of Famer, Howie Long! Gronk, and Julian Edelman discuss what makes Howie so great and some of their favorite stories.Support the show: http://www.gameswithnames.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the I-Hard Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On The Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins. But the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Ellen's, correct?

I doctored the test once. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through. the same thing. Grega lesbian. Michael Ranjini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police.

As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Dudes on dudes. I'm Julian Edelman and we're bringing you one of our favorite segments from the show talking about one of our favorite dudes in the NFL. Let's go. You're looking jacked.

Like, I worked out this morning for this episode. Look at that. Look at my. But you never not jacked. I know how Camille never not dancing? You're never not jacking. Look at that. Look at that, baby.

Should I show you a six-pack right now? I'm feeling good. Let's see. Put your dong away. As a dude, you got a flex. God. I'm looking at that, baby. How?

He still got it. I'm just being a dude. I'm just being a dude, okay? That's all. Sit down, you big old dude. Trying to be like Dola. Dola is ripped, man. Dola is like playing Patrick Swayze right now on Dancing on Stars. Let's go vote for him.

He's ripped than you. Yeah, he probably's cutter. He's cutter. Oh, you said that. Let's get on to our next contestant. Our next guy. Absolute legend. Absolute legend.

We'll start the clock in five seconds after I say who he is. He's just a man's man. Our new teammate, someone that we've all looked up to. You're right. He's not a dude. he's a man you can't call him dude so this is this is dudes on man yeah this is dudes on man howie long howie long howie long howie long howie long what is the howie long a i say howie long has a huge slong whoa what the heck what the heck a i inappropriate inappropriate

how long we'd be like, geez, geez, you guys are just characters. He would. Yeah, you guys are just characters. Always just, you know, just chopping it up. He always, he always says, just keep being you, bud. Yeah. He would love that line. He would.

He would. He would. Even if he has a small one, he would be like, thank you. Yeah, I don't know if he does. You don't got to last. He's not a hammer. Yeah, he's how he long, bro. He's a talk about.

He's a man. He got a chin in your face. He produced. two huge NFL sons. Huge. Huge. Like first round O Lyman, first round,

first top 10 pick, Chris Long, D. Lyman, Kyle Long, O Lyman. Kyle Long played baseball. It's just a fucking, they just have champion,

they have champion sperm. All right. Let me get to AI. They have champion sperm. He does have championship sperm. Howie Long was a dominant defense event in the NFL, known for his powerful past rushing ability and strong run.

defense. He played primarily for the Oakland Raiders. Who was the second team? I thought he was an Oakland Raiders. L.A. Raiders. L.A. Rators. Wait, then that's still the same team. AI. That's really weird. Fucking AI. They're not there yet. Two different cities. He might as well have played for the frickin Las Vegas Raiders. Yeah. At this point. I mean, he's associated with them. He could still, he looks like he still play. He should be the Raiders owner, not Tom. Just kidding, Tom. Yeah. We need you as a Raiders owner because then you'll be like really rich and then you can You get a yacht and Julie and I can come on it. Yeah.

Yeah. And then you can give us like cushy like scouting jobs for like a million dollars a year. Yeah. We love you, Tom. Yeah, we love you. Howie's not the owner. You're the owner. We need you, buddy.

We hang out with you more. So we need you to be the owner. And maybe if we need a job in the future. That's what dudes and dudes do. If you're a bro, like one dude always gives a job to their like bro. That's called that's a triple deed. That's called daydreaming duding. All right.

A dude daydream. We're back. All right. We're back. We're back. AI. Where he earned eight Pro Bowl selections and was named to the NFL's all-decade team of the 1980s. 80s.

80s decade. When I was born in 89, so. 86. Wow. He probably sacked a guy and got our mother's pregnant from such a big hit. That was awful. Awful take. But knowing Howie, probably not.

Howie is a stand-up guy. Yeah, knowing howie, you're right. He definitely would. He goes, yeah. They, they just, our parents just got so turned on from his sack. From his sack in the 80s. That's why we were born. It's a bone crushing sack.

Yeah. Because my dad's a big fan. My big fan of Hollywood. What, what dad is not a fan of Howie Long? I think, I think our parents, our dad's got so turned on from Howie Long's hits that we made us. We were created. They made us.

Very well could be. This is how he was bowling. Long was known for his athleticism, intensity, and versatility, which allowed him to excel both in rushing the passer, defending against the run. His impact on the game and his leadership on and off the field

solidified his reputation as one of the premier defensive players of his era. I mean, we threw on the highlights. He's just nasty. He's like the guy you send in. He's like a bomb squad guy. You know, you send Howie it, but he doesn't wear armor.

He just goes in and does it with like his teeth. You know, like you send him in there and he'll do it like some shit that no one wants to do. He'll get the job done. He's so intense. He was like, and you could see it when he played. He was so powerful. He knew the game of football. He was a really smart football player.

He looked apart of a raider with the bull ring. He was like one of the original dudes that wore the bull ring. Like that was like hard nose. Any kid in Pop Warner when I was a kid that wore a bull ring was like that did eat cement. And that's what fucking how he, I think I literally saw him at Fox once in between games that you guys were doing. I saw him take a teaspoon of cement when he, with his,

with his coffee. Like that's how manly he is. This guy, if you're going in a back alley and you're about to brawl, you're about to take on 10 other mother efforts. Yeah. And you're by yourself and you had to choose one other guy to go in that back. alley, you bring Howie long with you.

And then guess what? You would just sit back because he would take on all ton of those guys and fucking whoop all their asses for you. But then I think afterwards he would sit them down and tell them where they need to work on their fighting skills. And like he would sit there after like, you know, giving them like a rag for the nose that he just broke from some dude. Like he would sit there and he'd be like, yeah, buddy, like, yeah, you got to be smarter than

that. You can't go against, you know, while like looking at his surroundings. I remember the first day I met him on Fox. You know, we had a dinner like the Friday before, and it's my first show, and I'm a little nervous. And so I had a dip in at the dinner. And I thought no one saw. I had a little baby dip in. Two days later, we had our first live show and Howie was in there.

And we had a production meeting where we were with the big show, the other show. And all of a sudden, how he came in, didn't say a word. Pulled out a tin, put it right on my thing. put one finger and just slit it to me and give me a head nod and just walked by. That was the first interaction I ever had with him. It couldn't have been any more Howie Long. He might be one of the greatest guys I've ever met.

And I don't think it's talked about enough is that he might be the best role model, you know, out there. Yeah. NFL history. I mean, the guy's up there. The guy's been through it all. He grew up in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He's an orphan.

Yes. So, you know, he's got that. He's not. He's like the movies. He's got that, you know, that Boston Hardo in him. Hardo. He takes no shit at all. But let me tell you.

Then he goes to Philly at Philanova. Yeah. And gets a little that more East Coast assy, assholesness. All-American man. He has great kids. Great kids. They grew up to be first round NFL players. Do you remember Chris?

I remember Chris, man. Great guy. Loved him in the locker room. Loved him in the locker room. He's always beholden court in his little section with Nikovic, like him. and Chris, like him and Niko would be sitting there. Nico would just be sitting there like marveling at Chris because Chris was like so paid and had a sleeve

and he was a white dude that had swag. Nico would just do anything. You remember those? Nico copied everything Chris Long did. He was Chris Long's shadow. Because like by that age, you know, Nico has been like institutionalized by the Patriots where like any outsider, he's like, oh my God,

this is what it's like. If you had a problem or situation in life and you needed an answer, you would hit up Howie Long. 100%. The guy's been through everything from A through Z in life. Just a great role model overall. Very positive guy.

Yeah. When it comes to crunch time, he's right there on your side. It's taken me under his wing at Fox. His knowledge for the game of football is through the roof. If you have any questions, he's there to give you answers. And then he doesn't care if you give him the credit or not. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies.

Since retirement from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now got my own show. So if you're tired or lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeartRadio app. 2%. That is the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter, and on my podcast, 2%,

I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. I'll be speaking with writers, researchers, and other health and fitness experts, and more, to look past the impractical and way too complex pseudoscience that dominates the wellness industry. We really believe that seed oils were inherently inflammatory. We got it wrong. Many of the problems that we are freaked out about in the world are the result of stress.

Put yourself through some hardships, and you will come out on the other side a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%. That's T-W-O-Persent on the I-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw,

unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. In 2023, former bachelor star Clayton Eckerd found himself at the center of a paternity scandal. The family court hearings that followed revealed glaring inconsistencies in her story.

This began a years-long court battle to prove the truth. You doctored this particular test twice in so-ins, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to crack the case. I wanted people to be able to see what their tax dollars were being used for. Sunlight's the greatest disinfectant. They would uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing.

Greg Lepin and Michael Marantini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trap. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news at Americopa County as Laura Owens has been indicted on fraud charges. This isn't over until justice is served in Arizona.

Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And he's fucking great looking, too. Look at how Jack he is in that goddamn movie. He still looks the freaking same as he did when he was playing. I want to say he's got top, top three chins all time. Top three chins. Cowards won, Coach Coward, Howie. Brady's got a nice chin.

But like this is like man, like Brady's like pretty chin. I never looked at. This is like when you used to draw up like old action heroes. I never looked at chin. I never looked at chin. You know how they, they were just big grown men with huge chin like the cartoon. I don't look at chins. Look at the, like, that's just a man.

Yeah, that's a mansion. You're right. And he had the best flat top ever. He still has it. What about that neck roll that he played with? Does that neck roll make you more badass? It kind of reminds me of James Devlin. Like, he was more badass when he had the neck roll on.

Neck rolls definitely give you two points on hard-assness. Two points for sure. Who else do we have on? Eric Dickerson had a good chin, the all-chin team? No, not the, not the chin. He had a neck roll. What about Brian Bosworth? Oh, what about his neck roll?

That was pretty badass. Tom Rathman. What about Mike Allstadt? Fucking gnarly. Ultimate neck roll. Ultimate player. What about Kent State going flash Jack Lambert? Ooh.

I think he's a bunker guy. I think he's in a bunker right now. I don't even know what Kent State is. No, I've tried to get in contact. What's Kent State? They call it, someone would call it the Harvard of the Midwest. I don't know if you ever heard of it. But yeah, neck rolls.

Howie Longst. He's a huge part of that, like old school guy that had neck roll, made you look tough. And he's Hollywood. He's been in movies. Like, his story about, like, he stopped doing movies because it just was too much. He told me that. He's like, yeah, you know, I had to get, I just needed more time with my family. He kept on sending me scripts.

I was like, man, how he's so cool. He's like, fuck the movie. Fuck that. He's a great family man. And that's why I said, if you have any questions about life, you ask Howie long. And he just. And he has to write answer every time. He really does in any situation.

What kind of dude is Howie Long? Well, he's a loyal dude as well. I mean, he's the first one. He started the Fox gig with Terry Bradshaw and Jimmy Johnson. He's been there for 31 years now. Yeah. Yeah, the Fox pregame show. And it's just an honor to be just to be a part of it.

Yeah. A little ounce of it just to be with those guys. I mean, it's incredible. Dude, without a doubt, what they have done. They transcended post career after NFL. 100%. They've given an example of how, if you want to get into this industry, how you got to do it. You know, with not just they're on-camera chemistry, but the way they freaking prepare, I get to be a fly in the wall, watching them in between shows, watching you get ready. And those guys are just, he's just a stud.

And exactly what I just said, he's a stud. He's a freak. Yes, he's a freak of nature. He's got the dog in him. He's definitely a dude's dude. He is a dudes dude. But when... Locker room guy, he's a wizard as well. I mean, this guy literally is all five categories. And that's why he's so successful in life. What do they do with the Kentucky Derby racehorse come? What do they do?

They stud them out. They stud them out. That's what fucking Howie Long is. He's a stud. Like, when you look at a racehorse... And it was a proven stud too, because he produced two first rounders. Two first rounders. Like, when you look at a stud, a horse,

Howie's the human version of a racehorse. A. I even knew he had a huge slong. Did you hear me read it at the beginning? Howie Long has a huge slong. Did he really say that? Yeah, really said that. That's crazy. I think he literally could probably win the Kentucky Derby.

He could. Because that's how manly of a man he is. When you call his son and talked him on the phone, Chris, what did he say about Howard? Chris said he's a fucking stud. So he's a stud. No doubt about a stamp it. Stud. Stam stud.

Stud muff. Our first stud. No. Tony Gonzalez was a stud. Was Tony a stud too? Yeah. Different type of stud. Different stud.

This was like a badass stud. Tony's like a smooth stud. Yeah. Yeah. But both studs. Thanks for listening. Catch brand new episodes of dudes on dudes on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else you get your podcasts.

And if you enjoy this, here's a snippet of an episode I think you'll love. Ray Lewis. Scary, SOB. Let's see what AI has to say about him. All right, we got some dude synopsis here. Scary as dude, number one, is Ray Lewis. Let's see what AI has to say.

What's AI I got to say? Ray Lewis is widely regarded. Ray Lewis is widely regarded as one of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history, known for his intense playing style and leadership. on the field and off the field he overcame personal challenges and became a motivational figure. Motivation. Often speaking about discipline

and perseverance. Lewis had significant impact on the Baltimore Ravens leading them to two Super Bowl victories and earning the Super Bowl MVP in 2000 and one. Wow. Wow. I was 12 years old in 2001.

Jules. How old were you about? 15? 14. 14? 15. Notably, he is the only player in NFL history with over 40 career sacks and 30 interceptions. Instinctive. Additionally, he was a 12-time pro-baller and a two-time NFL defensive player of the year.

Ray Lewis for you, ladies and gentlemen, brought to you by AI. I think AI is pretty right. I worked with Ray as soon as I retired on inside the NFL. And in those pre-production meetings, he would speak. and I felt like I wanted to run through a goddamn brick wall every time he would speak. He sounded like a pastor with the mix of craziness and a mix of a gladiator quote. Ray, don't think I don't know where your quotes come from. We went to Rome together and I figured out that all of Ray's motivational quotes come from the movie, the gladiator.

It was crazy. I remember playing him. He knocked me out of game first off. What game was that? And what year was that? He knocked you out of the game. It was, remember, when Deon Branch came back for the first game back? So about, was it 2013?

Your fourth year? No, this was like 2012. 11 or 12. Yeah, it was 2011. Deon Branch came back on the team. On the team on 10 or 11. Yes, yes. 2010, my rookie year, Randy Moss was traded after the fourth game of the season.

And didn't we trade for? We traded back for. DM Branch, right, that year? So it was my rookie year. It was your rookie year. Yes, 2010, the same season that Randy Moss got traded. Yeah. And he hit me on under in the red area. And I remember Helodinata, like picking me up and saying, hey, buddy, your, your sidelines that way. That was at Gillette Stadium. At Gillette. Yes, and it was 2010. 2010. Yes, it was. He lit me up. And then the year before, this is my second year in the league, year before in the playoffs, he scored and I, on a scramble in the red area.

Tom darted it to me. I caught it and I got a touchdown. And Ray was right behind me and he needed me so hard in my left butt cheek that like I got a crazy hematoma and I looked like I had J-Lo booty on. Like my butt was just, I had one big butt. It was so fucking crazy. If we would have, we got smoked that game, but I wouldn't have been able to play the next week because I had like internal bleeding.

It was fucking nuts. So that dude is scared the shit out of me. What do you think about? First off, AI hit it on point, but they didn't, you know, talk about all his characteristics that he brings to the table as well. Yes, a great motivational speaker, great player, you know, all the accolades, two-time Super Bowl champion, whatever, 12-time Pro Bowler. But they didn't talk about the characteristics that makes him himself, vicious out in the field.

Vicious. Absolutely vicious. Intimidating. 100%. I would put my hand down and I was already scared of Ray Lewis when he was lined up in front of me. When you're scared of a player, you're kind of already beat as well. Just that's how intimidating he was just the nature of just the way he carried himself, the energy that he brought to the table. You did not want to mess with Ray Lewis. No doubt, no aunts, ifs, or buts about that. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits,

my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

So let's get to it. Listen to The Cliverts show on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Keer Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that doesn't. not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins. But the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Owens, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg, a lesbian. Michael Mancini.

My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.