ST. LOUIS — If there's any person the city of St. Louis should adopt as an honorary native, it's Chris Long.
Long hasn't called St. Louis home since 2015, his last as a Ram and the team's last in St. Louis, but he still can't quit our city.
Long has been one of the most vocal Blues fans on Twitter during the playoffs, and is in town to support the team for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Long's love for St. Louis is apparent, and his love for the Blues has only continued to grow.
"It's funny. When I was here I was into it, but I became more after. I grew up watching a lot of hockey but I didn't have a favorite team," Long said. "The Blues kind of fell into my lap as this exciting team. It wasn't the sexy pick. They haven't been to the Stanley Cup in years and years. They're always exciting. They're fast-paced and physical. If they'd just get over that postseason hump. That's what's so exciting this year. People have been waiting a long time."
When asked about who his favorite player was, Long mentioned Pat Maroon and Jordan Binnington, but admitted when Tarasenko first came to town he was immediately drawn to the Russian.
"I like Tarasenko a lot," Long said. "When he first came here he wore 91, and I was like, 'oh, there's another 91 I'm going to pay attention to him. And he's just a kick-ass player."
Long also talked about how odd it's been seeing a guy he shared the spotlight with while in St. Louis now facing off against the Blues in the Final.
"It's been weird seeing Backes on the other side of it. It's been weird," Long said.
Long also touched on St. Louis as a sports city, after Rams owner Stan Kroenke trashed the town on his way out with his football team.
"Stan's a businessman. I'm not going to sit here and hash his business acumen. But he's dead wrong about inferring that St. Louis is not a good sports city," Long said. "This is a great sports city. You look at the Cardinals. You look at the Blues. You look at the Rams when they were rolling. You look at the Rams when we weren't rolling. I always tell people it's amazing how many people showed up every week who supported us through all that losing and the loyalty I feel when I come back. That bond is really tight. The fans are loyal here."