Saint Xavier’s Shane Longest Signs As Free Agent With Chicago Bears

CHICAGO – Saint Xavier University senior placekicker Shane Longest (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington) was picked up as a free agent by the Chicago Bears as the 2008 NFL Draft wrapped up its final picks of the seventh and final round late Sunday afternoon. Longest will officially sign a contract with the Bears later this week and will report to mini-camp in the near future. Details of the contract have not been disclosed.

“I am very excited to sign with the Chicago Bears, especially considering I get to stay close to home,” said Longest. “It has been a fun experience with the NFL Combine and now the NFL Draft, but I’m really looking forward to getting into a camp this summer and showing what I can do.”

Longest had a monster senior season with the Cougars last fall helping lead the team to the quarterfinals of the 2007 NAIA Championship Series. He handled all kicking duties (field goals, punting, and kickoffs) for the team in 2007 and excelled in every facet. Longest led the entire NAIA with 27 field goals made this past fall and was also the NAIA’s third best punter with a 43.2 yards per punt average. In December 2007, he was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)-NAIA Coaches’ All-America Team and was one of just three specialists to make the team.

For more information, contact Rob Huizenga at (773) 298

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