Most NFL players spent the month between spring practices and training camp doing a lot of the typical things. Some go on vacation, some relax, some give back to their communities.
But over the last month, Chris Long has taken on an even greater purpose. No, we're not talking about his organization Waterboys (although you should probably check that out too) and we're not even talking about his efforts to level the playing field in the American education system. No, this is perhaps even nobler.
He's on a mission to get a mural of Beau Allen somewhere in Philadelphia.
Really.
I might pay someone to put up a mural of @Beau_Allen in Philly.— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) July 8, 2018
Of course, that isn't where it ended for Long. He's spent a decent amount of time going back and forth with folks who can help him complete this mission. Some folks with artistic ability and some folks who might have a home for the artwork. This wouldn't even be the first Eagles-themed mural in the city after the Super Bowl (see story), but the idea of a Beau Allen mural is still pretty great.
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
By the way, the Eagles' former defensive tackle, who is now with the Tampa Bay Bucs, is on board with his friend's mission.
ok— Beau Allen (@Beau_Allen) July 8, 2018
So as training camp kicked off Thursday, I found Long to ask the question on everyone's mind - well, I guess some people wanted to know about Carson Wentz's rehab - "Any update on the Beau Allen mural?"
Beau Allen mural … I'm working on it. Trying to find people that will give up the wall outside their house or their apartment. I've got an artist that I found. It's gonna happen, I think. It needs to happen. The city can't forget Beau.
The lasting image of Allen is probably going to be of the former seventh-round pick in his American flag button-up shirt during the Super Bowl parade down Broad Street.
I made a mistake and asked Long if that's what Allen would be wearing in the mural.
"I don't know if he's going to be wearing much of anything," Long said of his 330-pound former teammate.
On second thought, maybe the city isn't ready for this mural after all.
