Long attended South Pasadena High School, before moving on to the University of California at Los Angeles.
In 1954, he was a part of the team that shared the national championship with Ohio State University.
[2] On July 20, 1960, he was traded along with a first round draft choice (#10-Bobby Crespino), to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Jim Ninowski.
[3] On August 17, 1960, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for offensive end Leon Clarke.
[5] On September 7, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys along with defensive tackle John Meyers, in exchange for a third round draft choice (#32-Willie Brown).