When fans think back to the Philadelphia Eagles’ unforgettable 2017 Super Bowl run, images of underdogs, dog masks, and Nick Foles’ miraculous postseason performances come to mind. But behind the curtain of that storybook season lies a lesser-known, deeply personal moment—one that started not on the field, but with a single phone call. That call, now revealed by former Eagles defensive end Chris Long, may have helped change the course of NFL history. In a recent episode of the “Exciting Mics” podcast, Long opened up about the moment he decided to personally recruit his former Patriots teammate, LeGarrette Blount, to join him in Philadelphia. The message was clear and direct: “Bro, it’s awesome here… you need to get down here.” That wasn’t just a friendly nudge—it was the spark that helped light the fire for one of the most iconic seasons in Eagles history.
The timing of Long’s call is crucial. Having just signed with Philadelphia after a season in New England that ended with a Super Bowl win, Long had a unique perspective. He was a veteran who had seen the top of the mountain, but he also understood what it meant to be more than a cog in the machine. In New England, players often sacrificed individuality for the sake of a system. In Philadelphia, Long sensed something different—something more open, more unified, more expressive. And he wanted Blount to be part of it. The two had forged a friendship in Foxborough, bonded by grit and shared goals. Long saw not only Blount’s power and production but his passion and leadership. To him, Blount wasn’t just a bruising back; he was a culture-changer, and Philadelphia was a team on the verge of something special.
Blount had options that offseason. Despite being a Super Bowl champion and leading the league in rushing touchdowns the previous year, his market was uncertain. Age, position value, and the league’s shift toward committee backfields all played a role. But Long’s call came at the perfect time. It wasn’t just a recruitment pitch—it was a personal invitation, a vouch from a trusted source. And in the world of pro sports, sometimes that matters more than money or fit. Long wasn’t offering promises—he was offering belief. That belief, coupled with the appeal of joining a rising NFC contender, helped sway Blount’s decision. He signed with the Eagles, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The addition of Blount to the Eagles’ roster was monumental. Though he would eventually share carries with the likes of Corey Clement and midseason acquisition Jay Ajayi, Blount brought more than stats to the table. He brought championship DNA. He brought toughness. And in the postseason, he brought impact. His bruising touchdown run against the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game was vintage Blount—raw, punishing, and tone-setting. And then came the Super Bowl. Against the very team he’d left behind, Blount ran with purpose, slicing through the Patriots’ defense for 90 yards and a touchdown. Every carry seemed to carry extra weight, each yard earned with a defiant sense of redemption.
Meanwhile, Chris Long was making his presence felt on the other side of the ball. His veteran leadership in the locker room helped unite a defensive line that wreaked havoc throughout the postseason. His strip sack of Case Keenum in the NFC title game helped swing momentum. And in the Super Bowl, his relentless pressure on Tom Brady contributed to one of the biggest defensive plays in Eagles history—the Brandon Graham strip sack. Together, Long and Blount weren’t just contributors—they were catalysts. They helped galvanize a locker room that believed in itself even when the outside world didn’t. Long’s phone call was the kind of behind-the-scenes moment that rarely sees the light of day, but it encapsulates the spirit of that Eagles team—brotherhood, belief, and boldness.
What makes Long’s revelation so impactful is the insight it gives into how team chemistry and personal relationships can shape the course of a franchise. Front office decisions, coaching schemes, and player development all matter—but sometimes, it’s the human element that tips the scales. The Eagles’ 2017 team was full of personalities, but not in the diva sense. These were guys who embraced their roles, who bought into Doug Pederson’s vision, and who genuinely cared for one another. That culture doesn’t materialize overnight—it’s built through moments like Long’s phone call to Blount, through trust and respect. It’s easy to look at rosters and stats and assume success is formulaic. But football, like all great sports, is also emotional. It’s personal. Long didn’t need to make that call. He wasn’t obligated. But he saw something brewing in Philadelphia, and he knew who he wanted in the trenches with him.
Even years after that Super Bowl, the legacy of that team endures. Nick Foles’ heroics, Jason Kelce’s parade speech, the Philly Special—it’s all etched into football folklore. But hearing Long peel back the curtain reminds fans that those moments didn’t happen in a vacuum. They were built on choices, on leadership, on trust. Long could’ve focused solely on his own transition to a new team, but instead, he helped recruit a player who would become a vital piece of the puzzle. And he didn’t do it through an agent or a public plea—he picked up the phone and called a friend. That speaks volumes about the authenticity of Long as a teammate and the closeness of that Eagles squad.
It also speaks to the changing nature of NFL free agency. While front offices draw up the contracts, players themselves are often the most persuasive recruiters. When a respected veteran vouches for an organization, that carries weight. In Blount’s case, the call from Long likely resonated more than any press release or sales pitch. And it paid off. For Long, it was about building something bigger than himself. For Blount, it was about joining a team that not only wanted him but needed him—and where he could again prove his worth on the biggest stage.
Long’s revelation is a reminder that championship teams aren’t built solely with talent—they’re built with intention. Every locker room has its stars, but what sets a great team apart is how those stars align. The 2017 Eagles weren’t just a good team—they were the right team, at the right time, with the right mix of heart, talent, and resilience. That year, they weren’t just fighting for a trophy—they were fighting for each other. Chris Long’s call to LeGarrette Blount wasn’t just a recruitment—it was a declaration of belief in what they could achieve together. And when confetti rained down in Minneapolis, it was proof that belief had been well placed.
Even now, years removed from that magical season, stories like these breathe fresh life into what that Eagles team represented. They weren’t supposed to win. Their starting quarterback went down. Their roster had holes. The analysts doubted them. But internally, they had something stronger than hype. They had brotherhood. Chris Long’s phone call to LeGarrette Blount might not be remembered in stat sheets or highlight reels, but its impact is undeniable. It was a moment of foresight, of connection, of leadership—and it helped shape a championship legacy that Philadelphia will never forget.
