CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Former Virginia defensive end Chris Long visited Scottsville Elementary earlier this month, reading to students and announcing the launch of EdZone’s new partnership with the school to help finance at-home libraries for its students.  The $7,000 grant will bring in several hundred new titles for the Scottsville Elementary Library according to a foundation release, including a select few by grade level curated for at-home reading.   

“Looking back, I wish I had read more and focused on it when I got home more,” Long said. “Our aim is that when kids get home, they have a home library and someone to read with.” 

The Chris Long Foundation’s EdZone Initiative, in partnership with Charlottesville City Schools, as well as educational non-profits First Book, Cradles to Crayons, and the little bit foundation, has ensured access to learning materials for hundreds of kids in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Community and beyond.   

Long was a part of two Super Bowl champion squads throughout his NFL career, playing for both the 2016 New England Patriots and 2017 Philadelphia Eagles.  Add to that his distinction of being the second overall pick in the NFL Draft and it makes for a compelling trophy cabinet when paired with his numerous accolades as a Wahoo.  

One award, in particular, has ostensibly informed much of his post-playing career actions however, and that is his 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. 

The award, named for the legendary Chicago Bears running back, highlights a player’s charitable works and philanthropy in his community and the nation at large.  Long began his eponymous charity, the Chris Long Foundation, in 2015, and its work with the Waterboys.org initiative, helping provide clean water to communities in East Africa, along with his donation of his 2017 season salary in its entirety to a myriad of different charities, earned him the award and explains much of his actions since hanging up his cleats.