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Howie Long disputes authenticity of Raiders jersey with metal under the numbers

Long

“Just Win Baby” was a general directive. The specifics were left to the will and creativity of those the late Al Davis expected to just win.

If Heritage Auctions is to be believed, Raiders Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long’s jersey once contained the product of some overly exuberant will and/or creativity.

Per Darren Rovell of ESPN.com, the auction house has a game-worn Howie Long jersey that allegedly has “metal pebbles” sewn under the numbers, with the apparent intent of making any interactions between the front of the jersey and the hands of an offensive lineman unpleasant.

Long brushes off the notion that he once wore a jersey that had been enhanced to tear off the skin from an opponent’s hands.

“It’s just bizarre,” Long said, via Rovell. “It’s just all so ridiculous.”

Long pointed out that, if the jersey included metal under the numbers aimed at ripping flesh, why wouldn’t the jersey or the numbers be torn?

The jersey currently has a high bid of $3,000. It’s unknown whether the metal pebbles are sold separately.