Shaun Alexander became a standout player for the Seattle Seahawks, where he made his mark as one of the franchise’s most productive running backs, though he also briefly played for the Washington Commanders before retiring. Born on August 30, 1977, in Florence, Kentucky, Alexander stands 5’11” and weighs 224 pounds, boasting the ideal frame for his position.
Shaun Alexander’s early years
Alexander played college football at the University of Alabama, where he starred for the Alabama Crimson Tide. His stellar performances nearly earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best college football player in the nation. Unfortunately, an injury late in the season forced him to miss several games, ultimately costing him a real chance at winning the award.
In the 2000 NFL Draft, Alexander declared his eligibility and was selected in the first round with the 19th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks, marking the beginning of what would become a highly impactful professional career.
A remarkable career in the NFL
From the moment he arrived in Seattle, Alexander made his presence felt and began setting records almost immediately. By 2005, he had established a new NFL mark for total touchdowns in a single season with 28, including 27 rushing touchdowns. This tied him with Priest Holmes of the Kansas City Chiefs for rushing scores.
However, his record stood for just one year. In 2006, LaDainian Tomlinson of the then San Diego Chargers surpassed Alexander’s milestone, tallying 31 total touchdowns, 28 of them on the ground.
Alexander was instrumental in leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl that same season. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, Seattle fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the championship game. In that matchup, Alexander rushed for 95 yards before suffering an ankle injury that forced him to leave the field.
In 2007, following his MVP-caliber 2005 season, Alexander graced the cover of the popular Madden NFL video game. At his peak, he became the highest-paid running back in the league. Still, injuries continued to take a toll, causing him to miss six games that year and slowing his production significantly.
As his performance began to decline, the Seahawks released him in 2008. Over the following months, Alexander explored opportunities with other teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions, but he never signed a long-term deal with any of them.
Later that same year, he signed with Washington , appearing in just four games before being released once again, effectively signaling the end of his NFL career.
Shaun Alexander’s personal life and net worth
Off the field, Alexander leads a large family. He and his wife, Valerie Alexander, have 14 children together. In 2025, the couple announced they were expecting their final child.
Through his successful years with the Seahawks and his brief stint with Washington, Alexander built a net worth of approximately $12 million, reflecting his impact on and off the field.
Read the full article here
