Former Jets running back Kevin Long died Tuesday night at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina. wrote in a statement.
He was 69 years old.
The cause of death has not been revealed.
A native of Clinton, South Carolina, Long made history with the Gamecocks in 1975 when he rushed for 1,133 yards, becoming the first player in team history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.
Long had a stellar career at the University of South Carolina (1973-76) with 2,372 rushing yards, which ranks 10th in school history.
The Jets took a chance on him in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL Draft, which helped him realize his dream of becoming a professional football player.
In 2020, Long looked back fondly on his career with the Jets. In an interview on the team's website.
“I'd always wanted to play in the NFL. I didn't know if I was going to get drafted, but when I did get drafted, I thought there couldn't be a better place to go to. It was my first time going to New York, and I was scared to death,” Long said. “We flew over the city to get to LaGuardia Airport. [Airport] I was just in awe. There were about 20,000 people in my hometown of Clinton, South Carolina.
“They told me to look for a guy with a sign, and there was a guy there in a chauffeur's uniform. He walked me outside, and I got into this long black limousine. I'd never been in a limousine in my life. It was a 'If only they could see me now' moment.”
In five seasons with Gang Green, he rushed for 2,190 yards and totaled 28 touchdowns.
A big part of that came in 1978, the best season of his career, when he started all 16 games and rushed for 914 yards and 10 scores, leading the Jets in both categories.
He also scored a touchdown in the Jets' only playoff game in 1981.
Long was traded to the Bears before the 1982 season, but was released before playing a single game.
It was during this time that he made his mark in the USFL, playing one season with the Chicago Blitz and two with the Arizona Wranglers. Two full members were traded for each other He was traded to the NBA in an infamous trade before the league folded, and in three seasons he racked up an impressive 2,316 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Long was inducted into the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame as well as his alma mater's Hall of Fame.
According to the University of South Carolina, funeral plans have not yet been finalized.
