The Sea of Red was ever present, but white, blue and military camouflage were also boldly featured Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
During their Big Ten football game with Maryland, a 13-10 loss, the Nebraska Cornhuskers saluted those who've served and are serving their country as apart of their Veterans/Military Appreciation Day. Former Blair Bear and Nebraska lineman Chris Long, 30, was among those recognized. With more than 85,000 fans on their feet, he led the 2023 Huskers out of the tunnel and onto the field.
The son of Pat and Stacy Long — and brother to Nic and husband to Ashley — graduated from Blair High School in 2011 after playing a key role during the Bears' two winningest seasons since the 1988 state championship campaign. The Class B all-stater's success earned him an opportunity at NU, where he continued his football career through the 2015 season.
Long made the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll six times during his college career, and was a member of both the Tom Osborne and Brook Berringer Citizenship Teams.
Since his time in scarlet and cream, though, the BHS grad has worked in fire and rescue and enlisted into the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2019. He is a flight paramedic, according to a Nebraska release.
Long's mother, Stacy, said last week her son “works very hard.” The family, she noted, is thankful for all of the opportunities he's had since his final days at BHS.
In addition to Long's role, Nebraska's Veterans Day salute included a 100-yard American flag display during the national anthem. Three Army Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Grand Island flew overhead during pregame festivities, too, before the servicemen onboard were recognized on the field during the conference tilt.
Brig. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska's Adjutant General, participated in the coin toss as well, while Nebraska servicemen and women stationed all across the world were showcased in video packages throughout the game.
Additionally, fans in the stands who have served or are serving were asked to stand to be recognized by the crowd at Memorial Stadium. It was small part of the days' overall efforts to honor servicemembers, but warranted a hearty cheer from the red-clad football fans.
