INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Hunter Long scored nine touchdowns in his three-year career at Boston College. In his 33rd game of his four-year NFL career, Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, reached the end zone for the first time as a pro.

Long, a tight end for the Los Angeles Rams, was called up on special teams as the Buffalo Bills were poised to punt from their own 48 in the second quarter of Sunday’s game at SoFi Stadium.

Buffalo player Sam Martin’s kick was blocked by Jacob Hummel. Long was there to pick up the ball and returned it untouched 22 yards for a touchdown, giving the Rams a 17-7 lead at the time.

Long’s parents, Jean and Stephen, and his girlfriend watched the historic moment from their seats at SoFi Stadium.

“We cried for him with pride,” said Jean Long when he was reached shortly after landing. “He worked so hard for this moment. A big moment for him.”

This article originally appeared in the Portsmouth Herald: Exeter’s Hunter Long scores first NFL touchdown against Los Angeles Rams Bills