Remember Howie Long? No, not the bespectacled and bookish Howie Long that sits behind a desk every Sunday on the Fox network, trading barbs with Terry Bradshaw. We're talking the tough, driven, body slamming, hot-tempered Howie Long that led the Oakland Raiders to their Super Bowl victory in 1984 and who perfected that great uppercut move called "the rip"? That Howie Long - remember him?

Anyone who's a fan of the glory days of the NFL will remember that Howie Long, and all the great bad boys of football like him. And what better way to celebrate your love of the game than with an NFL throwback jersey?

Wearing one of these great NFL throwback jerseys is a good way to show your love for classic teams or great players from the past, back before football became so politically charged and teams had to bow to filthy-rich owners. Back when the men were as tough as nails and had nicknames like The Fridge and The Bus. When you knew the players for what they accomplished on the field, not for who they were dating off the field. When the players cared about the game, not just their stats and signing bonuses and what commercial endorsements they could get. Owning an NFL throwback jersey shows that you appreciate the true game of football in all its rough and tumble glory.

If you want to choose an NFL throwback jersey for yourself, get one that has special meaning for you. If you remember when the Cowboys were unstoppable, then proudly wear the name Aikman on your back. If the endurance of John Elway is what you look up to, then get a Denver number 7 for yourself.

The key to choosing just the right NFL throwback jersey is to make it personal to you, not just what the sporting goods store has on clearance. Celebrate those games you saw and the players you loved.