By Jordan Howard, PSO Asst. Director of Sports Analytics
Aug 30, 2022

As Seahawks fans celebrate their GOAT RB Shaun Alexander on his 45th birthday, check out some of the best records to know about the legendary Running Back.

Shaun Alexander was drafted 19th overall in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks out of the University of Alabama. The 5’11”, 225lb power back entered the league coming off of a dominant college career where he led the NCAA in total touchdowns his Senior season with 23, earning him First-Team All-America honors. The NFL’s eighth all-time rushing TD leader served mainly as a backup initially, but he took full advantage of his opportunity in 2001.

The Kentucky native became the full-time starter in 2001 for the Seahawks, where he quickly became a defense’s worst nightmare. Alexander’s combination of brute power, elite change of direction, and breakaway speed left Linebackers piling up as he found the endzone a league-leading 14 times carrying the rock for Seattle in his Sophomore campaign. The former Alabama standout also rushed for 1,318 yards in ’01, beginning a historic streak of five straight seasons with 1,000+ RUSH YDS which is still unprecedented in Seattle for others.

The 3x Pro Bowler averaged 15 RUSH TD per year from 2001-2004, solidifying himself as a top-tier RB in the NFL, but it wasn’t until 2005 when Alexander took the league by storm. He rushed for a whopping 1,880 yards and tied the single-season RUSH TD record with 27, set by Priest Holmes two years earlier. This historic campaign earned him 2005 NFL MVP and OPOY honors. Following his spectacular 2005, #37’s production dropped dramatically, dealing with injuries and a depleted Seahawks O-line, and was never able to return to his early 2000s form.

Here are some of the greatest records to know about Shaun Alexander:
Shaun Alexander stats records rushing yards touchdowns
Via Pro Football Reference
 

The Alabama All-American brought his physical game to the NFL, dominating the league for 5 straight seasons

Shaun Alexander’s career resume:

  • 3x Pro Bowl
  • 2005 NFL MVP & OPOY
  • 2005 All-Pro 1st Team
  • 2004 All-Pro 2nd Team
  • 2x NFL RUSH TD leader
  • 2005 NFL RUSH YDS (1,880) leader
  • 2000s NFL All-Decade
  • Seahawks career RUSH YDS (9,429) leader

Seattle’s former 1st-round pick dominates their record book, cementing himself as the franchise’s GOAT RB

Shaun Alexander’s Seahawks records:

  • Career RUSH YDS (9,429)
  • Career RUSH TD (100)
  • Career RUSH YPG (79.2)
  • Season RUSH YDS (1,880)
  • Season RUSH TD (27)
  • Season RUSH YPG (117.5)
  • Season YScm (1,958)
  • Seasons (5) of 1,000+ RUSH YDS
  • RUSH YDS (266) in 1 game
  • Games of 50+ RUSH YDS
  • Games of 100+ RUSH YDS
  • Games of 150+ RUSH YDS

“Alexander the Great” separated himself from the pack as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher

Most career RUSH YDS in Seattle Seahawks history:

1. Shaun Alexander (9,429)

2. Chris Warren (6,706)

3. Curt Warner (6,705)

4. Marshawn Lynch (6,381)

5. Russell Wilson (4,689)

The 2005 NFL MVP had a nose for the end zone, recording a ridiculous 87 RUSH TD over a 5-year stretch

Most career RUSH TD in Seattle Seahawks history:

1. Shaun Alexander (100)

2. Marshawn Lynch (58)

3. Curt Warner (55)

4. Chris Warren (44)

5. Sherman Smith (28)

#37 ran freely and physically during his prime, leaving defenses clueless on how to contain the dominant RB

Most RUSH YDS during 1 game in Seattle Seahawks history:

1. 2001 Shaun Alexander (266)

2. 2015 Thomas Rawls (209)

3. 1983 Curt Warner (207)

4. 2006 Shaun Alexander (201)

5. 2004 Shaun Alexander (195)

SHAUN IS SEATTLE’S GOAT RB

Help Pro Sports Outlook continue to grow:

– Share this Shaun Alexander records article with friends

– Click FOLLOW for high-quality sports content delivered to your email or your platform of choice

– Follow @PSO_Sports on Twitter & Instagram | Pro Sports Outlook on YouTube, Facebook, & LinkedIn

– Get 10% off all exclusive PSO designed sports t-shirts & jerseys on FanGearNation.com: Code PSO10 at check out