Charles Alexander (running back)

Charles Fred Alexander, Jr. (born July 28, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the late 1970s and 1980s. Alexander played college football for Louisiana State University, and received All-American honors. He was a first-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.^[1]

Early years

Alexander was born in Galveston, Texas.

College career

Charles Alexander was a four-year letterwinner on the LSU Tigers football team. He was selected as a first-team All-American and All-SEC in 1977 and 1978. In 1977 he was selected the SEC Most Valuable Player by the Nashville Banner. Alexander set nine SEC records, tied one and set 27 LSU records during his college career. He still holds the LSU records for most rushes in a game (43), most yards in a season (1,686) and most yards gained per game in a season (153.3).^[2]

Alexander set two Sun Bowl rushing records, carrying 31 times for 197 yards, as he won Offensive Player of the Game honors in the 1977 Sun Bowl. Despite Alexander's efforts, LSU fell to Stanford 24-14. He played his last game as a Tiger in the 1978 Liberty Bowl. Alexander gained 133 yards on 24 carries in the 20-15 loss to Missouri. In 1989, Alexander was inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Selected 12th in the first round of the 1979 draft, running back Charles Alexander would play seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was a member of the 1981 team that went 12-4, won the AFC Championship, and played in Super Bowl XVI in Pontiac, Michigan. Down 20-0 at the half, the Bengals launched a comeback against the San Francisco 49ers that fell-short 26-21.

Inductions

Alexander is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

References