Former UAB, Chargers Kicker ty Long Announces Retirement From Football
By Jesse Kelley
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - March 10, 2025
Former UAB placekicker Ty Long announced his retirement from professional football on Saturday. Long announced on social media and immensely credited his collegiate career at UAB for molding him into a better football player and person. “UAB…Ever faithful, ever loyal,” said Long on his X/Twitter account. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to wear the green and gold and to have created so many cherished memories in Birmingham - a city that has become my home. I will forever appreciate the unwavering support from my UAB family.”
A native of Roswell, Georgia, Long played for the Blazers from 2011 to 2014 and was a four-year captain under three different head coaches (Neil Callaway, Garrick McGee and Bill Clark). Long is the all-time leader in points scored in UAB football history with 322, and his 59 made field goals mark the most in school history. During his sophomore season in 2012, Long drilled a 54-yard field goal at Ohio Stadium against an Urban Meyer-led Ohio State team that finished the season at 12-0. Coming out of college, Long was signed by the Washington Redskins, playing in three preseason games in 2015, but was waived a few weeks before the start of the season. After signing a brief reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Long headed north of the border to sign with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. In his two years in the CFL, Long connected on 82-of-93 field goals and averaged 48.3 yards per punt. He was named a two-time CFL All-Star in 2017 and 2018. The Lions released Long in January 2019 to allow him the opportunity to pursue an active roster spot with an NFL team. A few days later, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him to a reserve/future contract, making him the starting punter for the Chargers in 2019. Long was with the Chargers for three seasons, ending his NFL career with 124 total punts for 7,016 yards (47.2 average) and adding a long punt of 51. He also went 7-of-9 on field goals while in the NFL. Long’s last stop in the league was with the New York Jets practice squad for a brief stint during the 2022 season.
In Long’s social media post, he mentioned launching his kicking company, Ty Long Kicking. “I couldn’t be more excited. Helping the next generation with everything - the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of this game - is something I’ve truly enjoyed. I’m forever grateful for the wild journey God put me on in my playing career. The adversity I had to learn to overcome helped me develop into the man you see today.”