The Seattle Seahawks have released running back Shaun Alexander, the team announced today.
"This was an extremely difficult decision," said President/General Manager Tim Ruskell. "We thank Shaun for his commitment both on and off the field over the last eight years. He played a huge role in the renaissance of football in Seattle and for that we will always be grateful."
Originally joining the Seahawks as the 19th selection overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, Alexander started 97 of 119 career games after becoming the regular starter during his second season. Helping Seattle win the last four NFC West division titles, he became the Seahawks career leader in rushing yards (9,429), attempts (2,176), total touchdowns (112), and 100-yard rushing games (37). He owns or shares at least 37 franchise single-game, single-season and career records. His 100 rushing touchdowns are tied with Marshall Faulk for seventh most in NFL history while his rushing yards rank 24th.
A three-time Pro Bowler (2003-05), in 2005 Alexander became the first Seahawks player to earn NFL MVP honors after breaking the NFL record for most touchdowns in one season (since broken by LaDainian Tomlinson - 31). Alexander's 28 total touchdowns in 2005 eclipsed Priest Holmes' 2003 mark of 27. That same season he also helped the Seahawks reach their first Super Bowl while winning the NFL's rushing title with a franchise-record 1,880 yards and averaging a franchise-best 5.1 yards per carry.
Alexander became the first player in NFL history with 15 or more touchdowns five consecutive seasons (2001-05), one of just five players in NFL history to score 20 touchdowns in consecutive seasons (2004-05) and one of five players to rush for back-to-back 1,600-yard seasons (2004-05).
