Howie Long Defends Son's Right to Protect Groin on Bizarre Penalty

FOX Sports video screenshot

Kyle Long had a rough Sunday.

In addition to the 51-23 humiliation his team endured at the hands of the Patriots, the Chicago Bears offensive lineman received a flag after having the gall to protect his McNuggets from destruction.

The bizarre incident occurred in the second quarter after a New England sack of Jay Cutler. Patriots linebacker Akeem Ayers ended up at the bottom of a pile after the play, and in extricating himself, slammed a cleat into Kyle’s family jewels.

Click here for video of the kick.

Naturally, Kyle took objection to the attempted on-field vasectomy and pulled Ayers from the pile by the offending leg. The pull resulted in a penalty for unnecessary roughness and several raised eyebrows around the league.

One of those concerned was Kyle’s father, longtime Fox NFL analyst Howie Long, who would prefer his son isn’t rendered sterile on the job. Howie expressed disapproval of the penalty during “Tough Calls With Mike Pereira,” interrupting the segment to defend Kyle's right to protect his guavas.

“Do you actually think he was pulling the guy out of the pile?” Long asked host Mike Pereira. “I think if we go back to the video, we spot-shadow the crotch area. That was what was happening…notice the kick to the crotch…is that what the league wants?”

After spot-shadowing the crotch area (a delightful phrase), Pereira agreed the officials missed the call.

"I think after further review, I think that Ayers should’ve been called for the penalty,” Pereira said. “Because Kyle, all he did was grab the leg that was stuck in his crotch.”

“I’m proud of Kyle,” Howie said. “A year ago he might still be choking [Ayers].”

As for Kyle, he’s just glad dad is looking out for him.

That’s a distinct change of tone for the Chicago lineman, who earlier in the day was telling his father to stop looming over him at work.

Sorry, Kyle. You may be a grown, bald man with a beard, but Pops is always going to be looking out for you. He isn’t about to see his hopes for grandchildren lost on a cheap shot. And after all, watching over you is literally his job.

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