Steve DeLong

Steven Cyril DeLong (July 3, 1943 – August 18, 2010) was an American professional football defensive lineman who played in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was a first round draft selection in both the AFL and NFL drafts in 1965.^[1][2] He played collegiately for the University of Tennessee, and professionally for the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears. In 1969 with San Diego, he set a team record with 17 sacks, a mark which stood until Gary Johnson had 17+1⁄2 in 1980.^[3] He was traded from the Chargers to the Bears on July 26, 1972, for a fourth-round selection in the 1973 NFL draft (84th overall–Jim Thaxton).^[4][5]

Steve DeLong

No. 56, 82
Position:	Defensive end / defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1943-07-03)July 3, 1943 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Died:	August 18, 2010(2010-08-18) (aged 67) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Oscar F. Smith (South Norfolk, Virginia)
College:	Tennessee
NFL draft:	1965: 1st round, 6th pick
AFL draft:	1965: 1st round, 6th pick
Career history
San Diego Chargers (1965–1971) Chicago Bears (1972)
Career highlights and awards
AFL All-Star (1969) AFL sacks leader (1969) Outland Trophy (1964) 2× First-team All-American (1963, 1964) 2× First-team All-SEC (1963, 1964) Senior Bowl MVP (1965)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 103 Games started: 14 Interceptions: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

DeLong was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He was the father of professional football player Keith DeLong, who also played for the University of Tennessee.

See also

• List of American Football League players