Howie Long -- Gov't Shutdown RUINING Football for Our Troops

Football legend Howie Long has a message for our government -- GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER SO TROOPS CAN WATCH SOME NFL FOOTBALL!!

Long says ... due to the standoff in D.C., the Armed Forces network can't operate at full speed --which means no NFL for our soldiers.

The NFL Hall of Famer issued a pretty heartfelt statement about the situation during Sunday's NFL broadcast on FOX ... explaining how NFL broadcasts help our men and women in uniform:

"These games bring a welcome piece of home and a much deserved respite from the dangerous work [the troops] do protecting our liberty."

Long finishes up saying "regardless of politics" ... the whole "NFL on FOX" team wants the shutdown to end soon.