LSU Running Back Charles Alexander Named to College Football Hall of Fame: Fan's Take
Charles Alexander, who played running back for LSU from 1975-1978, has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame. Alexander was a two-time All-American and finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
"Alexander the Great" to LSU fans, Alexander rewrote the LSU record books during his years in Baton Rouge. He still holds LSU rushing records for most attempts in a game (43), most yards in a season (1,686) and most yards gained per game in a season (153.3). Alexander was an All-American during his junior and senior seasons. He finished ninth in Heisman balloting as a junior and fifth as a senior. After his LSU career, Alexander was the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and played in Super Bowl XVI. Alexander, who is from Texas, is now a businessman in Houston, Texas.
LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said about Alexander, "This is an important recognition for one of the legendary figures in LSU athletics history. This honor is one of the most significant and prestigious honors in all of sports and one which is well-deserved. Charlie played an important role in LSU football history and the University congratulates him on this tremendous honor."
Alexander will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. He will be the eighth LSU player inducted into the Hall of Fame. The other LSU players inducted, by the year of their induction, were: Jerry Stovall (2010), Billy Cannon (2008), Tommy Casanova (1995), Doc Fenton (1971), Ken Kavanaugh (1963), Abe Mickal (1967), and Gaynell Tinsley (1956).
I never saw Alexander play for LSU as he was in school before I was born. Luckily, it is possible to see him in action thanks to YouTube. To get a sense of how good Alexander was you can watch videos of him (click here to see him in action). When I watch Alexander run, I notice the size, the cutback ability, the speed and the power. In short, he was a great running back who would have had no problem playing in the college game today. What I also see in the video are some rushing plays I wish our Tigers would include for the upcoming season.
As an LSU fan, I'm proud to see another one of our Tigers make into the College Football Hall of Fame, despite the institution's shortcomings when it comes to the balloting process.
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Source:
"Alexander named to College Football Hall of Fame", LSU Sports.net
