Joe Alexander

Bio

Joe Alexander was a three-time All-America choice, making it as a guard in 1918-19 and center in 1920. He was Syracuse captain two years and also captained the lacrosse team one season. Alexander graduated from medical school and began practicing medicine in New York City. He specialized in lung treatment and helped found one of the first tuberculosis centers in New York. For seven years, 1921-27, he played in the National Football League on weekends while practicing medicine. He was playing coach of the New York Giants in 1926, posting an 8-4-1 record. Playing for Syracuse in 1918 against Rutgers, he picked up a loose ball and ran 75 yards for a touchdown. He starred in a 1919 conquest of Pittsburgh. It was Pitt's first loss in four years. Against Colgate in 1920, he lined up on defense on the one-yard line. Colgate ran four plays. Alexander made the tackle on the first three and intercepted a pass on the fourth. He stood 5-10, weighed 210 pounds, and Walter Camp called him "a whirlwind with weight." In 1937, the New York World-Telegram named him on an all-time All-America team. In 1954, Syracuse University started the Joseph Alexander Award, given each year to a Syracuse player for excellence in football, scholarship, and citizenship.

Career Highlights

• 1920 First Team All-America
• 1919 Consensus All-America
• 1918 Consensus All-America