Kevin Long, the Gamecocks’ first 1,000-yard rusher, has died

South Carolina running back great Kevin Long has died. He was 69 years old.

Long died Tuesday, according to a statement from USC. He an athletics Hall of Fame member for both the university and the state of South Carolina.

From the town of Clinton, Long was a four-year letterman for the Gamecocks at running back from 1973-76. He is 10th on the school’s all-time career rushing list with 2,372 yards.

Desiring to be like Jim Brown and not quiet about it, Long finally earned his shot in coach Jim Carlen’s split-veer system. Long was the first Gamecock to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season with 1,133 yards in 1975. That feat ranks sixth all-time at USC.

In that 1975 season, he had six games with more than 100 yards, including a career-best 160 yards against N.C. State.

The State in 2017 named Long to its list of the top 50 Gamecocks of all time .

Long and teammate Clarence Williams both eclipsed 1,000 yards in the 1975 season. Long did it first, breaking 1,000 yards in the 10th game. Williams followed him a week later.

Long was drafted by the New York Jets in 1977 and played five seasons in the NFL, rushing for 2,190 yards and 25 touchdowns, and catching 74 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns.

He also spent time in the USFL from 1983-85 with the Chicago Biltz, Arizona Wranglers and the Arizona Outlaws.

Myers Mortuary and Cremation Services in Columbia is handling the funeral arrangements. Visitation is 3-6 p.m. Friday with the funeral set for 11 a.m. Saturday at New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Columbia.

USC football rushing yards in a season

• 1. George Rogers (1980) 1,894
• 2. George Rogers (1979) 1,681
• 3. Marcus Lattimore (2010) 1,197
• 4. Mike Davis (2013) 1,183
• 5. Kevin Harris (2020) 1,138
• 6. Kevin Long (1975) 1,113
• 7. Duce Staley (1996) 1,116
• 8. Clarence Williams (1975) 1,073
• 9. Derek Watson (2000) 1,066
• 10. Harold Green (1987) 1,022

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