Shaun Alexander

Born and raised in Florence, Kentucky, Shaun Edward Alexander quickly emerged as one of the most decorated high school football players in state history. A standout at Boone County High School, Alexander rewrote the Kentucky prep record books with his combination of speed, vision, and power.

As a senior, he rushed for an astonishing 3,166 yards and 54 touchdowns, earning Kentucky’s “Mr. Football” honors and consensus All-State recognition. His performances helped Boone County reach unprecedented heights on the field, drawing national attention to his talent.

By the end of his prep career, Alexander had amassed 6,657 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns, cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific running backs in Kentucky high school football history. He was selected to numerous All-American teams, earned Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year, and became one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation.

Alexander accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama, where he became one of the most productive and beloved players in Crimson Tide history. After making an immediate impact as a freshman in 1996, he went on to rewrite the Alabama record book over four standout seasons.

A powerful and durable runner, Alexander set 15 school records, including career rushing yards (3,565), career rushing touchdowns (41), and single-game rushing yards (291 vs. LSU in 1996). He was a consistent offensive force, earning All-SEC honors multiple times and helping lead Alabama to several bowl appearances, including the 1999 SEC Championship Game.

His senior season in 1999 was particularly memorable. Serving as team captain, Alexander rushed for 1,383 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American honors, and finishing as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back.

Alexander was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He became Seattle’s featured back in 2001 and quickly emerged as the engine of the Seahawks’ offense.

His career peak came in 2005, when he delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in NFL history. Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards and scored an NFL-record 28 total touchdowns (27 rushing), earning both NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors. That year, he led the league in rushing and scoring, shattered multiple franchise records, and became the first Seahawk ever to win the league MVP award, while

Throughout his career, Alexander was named to three Pro Bowls (2003–2005), earned First-Team All-Pro honors twice, and was selected to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, reflecting his sustained excellence during his prime. His career touchdown total ranks among the best of his era, and his impact on Seattle’s rise to national prominence was profound.

In 2022, Alexander received one of the franchise’s highest honors when he was inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in team history.

After a brief stint with the Washington Redskins in 2008, where he appeared in four games, Alexander officially retired from the NFL, closing the book on a decorated nine-year professional career.

Following his playing days, Alexander turned his focus to family, faith, and philanthropy, areas that had always been central to his life. A devout Christian, he became a frequent speaker at churches, youth events, and leadership conferences across the country, sharing his personal testimony and emphasizing character, perseverance, and purpose beyond the game.

Shaun Alexander and his wife, Valerie, are raising a large family, and he has often spoken about fatherhood as one of his greatest callings. The Alexander’s currently have 13 children (10 daughters and 3 sons), and as of September 2025, they are expecting their 14th.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. 2002 Topps Trading Card. Biography by Chris Aldridge.