Spencer Long: From Medical School to Center for the Washington Redskins

Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins center Spencer Long (61) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins center Spencer Long (61) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Spencer Long has had an interesting path to the NFL. Now, he appears to be the uncontested top option at center as the Washington Redskins head towards the offseason.

Spencer Long followed in his dad’s footsteps when he walked on at Nebraska.  It was fully expected that when he graduated from Nebraska he would follow in his dad’s footsteps once again and become a doctor.

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Dr. Doug Long is a successful neurosurgeon in Omaha, Nebraska who played one year of football for Tom Osborn at the University of Nebraska as a walk on. Long and his twin brother, Jake, both turned down scholarships to the University of Nebraska Omaha in order to walk on at the University of Nebraska.  For Spencer, a funny thing happened on the way to medical school.

According to Randy York’s N-Sider, Long, while playing at Nebraska, when asked about his future plans said:

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"I have an awful lot of work yet to do before I see how it all plays out. I just want to make a positive influence on society. I want to be the best man I can and help out my neighbors. I want to have fun at the same time I’m having a positive impact on people’s lives."

How it has all played out since then is that Spencer Long is the starting center for the Redskins.

When Kory Lichensteiger went down the Redskins called on Long to take over for him. Long’s 3.79 GPA in Biological Sciences (Pre-Med) comes in handy when reading defenses and making line calls. His work ethic makes him a valuable member of the Redsins locker room.

According to Randy York’s N-Sider, one of their Nebraska teammates said of the Long twins:

"They’re competitive. They care, and they have great work ethic. Football means a lot to them, and that’s probably the biggest reason why they play."

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With Long at center it can surely be said that each play begins with the ball in good hands. His strong work ethic and steady demeanor will make him a potential building block on the team’s strong offensive line as they move forward.