It's been a rough road to Halas Hall For Long: living in the shadow of his father, Howie Long, and brother, Rams defensive end Chris Long, overcoming academic, drug and alcohol issues.
Now Long has to face the scrutiny of a cynical Chicago media and unimpressed fan base.
"I'm looking forward to earning the respect of my teammates," Long said.
Long was a surprise and somewhat disappointing first pick to a lot of Bears fans reporters, but Bears GM Phil Emery claims he had the pedigreed Oregon guard targeted all along.
"Very clear statement that we wanted this player," general manager Phil Emery said Thursday. "The draft's not over, so we'll have other opportunities at those other positions. This is the player we wanted."
Long will wear number 75.
