Derrick Alexander (wide receiver)

Derrick Scott Alexander (born November 6, 1971) is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and in 2000 set the Kansas City Chiefs record of 1,391 receiving yards in a single season.

College career
Alexander was a wide receiver for the University of Michigan from 1989-1993. After the graduation of Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, he became the Wolverines top receiver. In his junior and senior seasons he led the team in receptions and receiving yards. In 1993 he had a career game against Illinois, catching seven passes from quarterback and future teammate in the NFL as well, Todd Collins for 188 yards and two touchdowns. His 90-yard touchdown reception stood as the longest completion in Michigan football history until Mario Manningham surpassed it with a 97-yard reception on November 10, 2007 at Wisconsin.

In his final college game, he returned a punt for 79 yards, the longest punt return in Outback Bowl history, as well as the only punt returned for a touchdown.

Alexander was twice named to the All-Big Ten Conference team, and was honored as an All-American in 1992.

Professional career
Derrick Alexander was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the final pick in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He had an immediate impact, leading the playoff-bound Browns in receiving as a rookie.

After playing only sporadically in 1995, Alexander recorded two consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. He is the Ravens all-time leader in yards-per reception (16.6). He also has the most 100-yard receiving games in Ravens history, as well as the longest pass reception.

For the 1998 season, he signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Chiefs signed him as a complement to Pro Bowl receiver Andre Rison, Alexander led the team in receiving yards. In 2000, he set a team record for receiving yards in a season, with 1,391. The Chiefs quarterback that year was his former Michigan teammate, Elvis Grbac.

After playing through 2001 with a persistent abdominal injury, Alexander was released by Kansas City and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Again, he was signed to line up opposite a premiere receiver; this time, Randy Moss. However, he was only occasionally effective. A knee injury ended his season prematurely, and the Vikings released him in the off-season.

On July 22, 2003, he signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. He ended his career with 417 receptions for 6,971 yards and 40 touchdowns.