Shaun Alexander to be Seahawks’ 15th Ring of Honor inductee

When the Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals for a Week 6 NFC West clash at Lumen Field, there will be something new added to the stadium.

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That’s because the team announced Thursday morning that it will be inducting running back Shaun Alexander, the only player in franchise history to be named league MVP, into the Seahawks Ring of Honor.

Alexander will be the 15th member of the Ring of Honor, joining many franchise icons, including his former head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, both of whom were inducted last year, as well as Hall of Fame left tackle Walter Jones, who blocked in front of Alexander for the star back’s entire Seahawks career.

Alexander was the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft after an All-American career at Alabama. Though he rushed for just over 300 yards as a rookie in 2000, Alexander quickly became one of the NFL’s top running backs, rushing for 1,318 yards and an NFL-leading 14 touchdowns in 2001, the first of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

One of the best RBs of the 2000s. @shaunalexander was special. 🎉 (via @nflthrowback)

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— NFL (@NFL) August 3, 2021

Alexander’s best year was 2005 when he set a then-NFL record for most rushing touchdowns (27) and scrimmage touchdowns (28) while rushing for 1,880 yards. His play won him NFL MVP honors and was key in the Seahawks reaching the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

Overall, Alexander rushed for 9,429 yards and 100 touchdowns in eight seasons in Seattle. He also had 12 receiving touchdowns. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Alexander led the NFL in rushing touchdowns twice and rushing yards once. He still holds many Seahawks franchise records, including career rushing yards, career rushing touchdowns, career total touchdowns, rushing yards in a single season, rushing touchdowns in a single season, 100-yard rushing games (37), single-game touchdowns (five) and rushing yards in a single game (266).

“The Seahawks are proud to recognize the incredible impact Shaun had on our organization by making him the 15th member of the Seahawks Ring of Honor,” said Seahawks president Chuck Arnold on the team’s website. “Shaun is the true definition of a champion both on and off the field, and we are excited to formally celebrate him in front of the 12s this season with his induction ceremony.”

“It’s so exciting and such an honor to just be a part of the Ring of Honor,” Alexander said. “When you come to Seattle and you look up in the stadium, you see some of the greats up there in the Ring of Honor. I remember seeing Steve Largent and the highlights of him, and Jim Zorn. And then me being a running back, you see Curt Warner. You’re like, ‘Dang, I’ve got to go after their records. This is going to be exciting.’ So to be mentioned with those guys, and of course Walt and Cortez (Kennedy), who were like big brothers when I first got there. It’s really cool, super excited.”

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