Lorenzo Alexander

Lorenzo John Alexander (born May 31, 1983) is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2005.

Alexander has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins.

High School Career
Alexander went to Saint Mary's College High School, where he played as a defensive lineman. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30, 2000.

College Career
Alexander went to the University of California, Berkeley.

Carolina Panthers
On April 29, 2005, the Carolina Panthers signed Alexander as an undrafted free agent. He re-signed with the Panthers' practice squad on September 5, 2005 and was released on September 3, 2006.

Baltimore Ravens
He was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on September 7, 2006 and released only five days later.

Rest of 2006 Season - 2009 Season
Alexander was signed to the Washington Redskins' practice squad on October 3, 2006.

He made his NFL debut in Week 5 of the 2007 season against the Detroit Lions. Later in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had his first career start.

Alexander's first three seasons on the team were spent primarily playing on special teams and as a reserve defensive tackle. He also saw time on the offense as an offensive guard and tight end.

2010 Season
On February 27, 2010, it was reported that Alexander would switch to outside linebacker. On October 3, 2010, he delivered a hit on Philadelphia Eagles kickoff returner Jorrick Calvin in the Redskins' 17-12 win that prompted head coach Mike Shanahan to call it "one of the best hits I've been around since I've been in the NFL." Later in the season, Shanahan called Alexander the best special teams player he'd been around. Midway in the 2010 season, Alexander was made the permanent special teams captain. At the end of the season he was the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

2011 Season
Alexander continued to be captain of special teams throughout the 2011 season. Along with working on special teams, he was made the backup left outside linebacker for Ryan Kerrigan. Alexander led special teams with 21 tackles on punt and kickoff coverage. He was chosen as an alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl along with teammates, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo. On January 5, 2012, it was announced that Alexander was chosen as the Redskins' nominee for the Walter Payton Award for the second straight year. He was also named the Redskins' 2011 Special Teams Player of the Year.

2012 Season
On April 17, 2012, it was announced that Alexander would transition from an outside linebacker to a inside linebacker for the 2012 season to act as a backup for starting inside linebackers, London Fletcher and Perry Riley. On September 21, he was fined $15,750 by the NFL for using a horse collar tackle on Danny Amendola in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams. He had an impressive performance in the Week 6 win against the Minnesota Vikings. He not only recorded one and a half sacks on Christian Ponder, but also recovered the ball after Ponder fumbled that set up ideal positioning for the Redskins to score the next play. Alexander was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as the designated special team performer.

With Alexander set to become a unrestricted free agent in the 2013 season, the Redskins had made him an offer to stay with the team, but it was not close to what Alexander was seeking. His leaving from the team was considered a casualty of the $36 million salary cap penalty that the team suffered in the 2012 offseason. Alexander, himself, even stated "But I know, in my heart of hearts, if it wasn’t for the cap, I would’ve been here.”

Arizona Cardinals
Alexander signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 13, 2013 to a three-year, $9.5 million contract with $3 million guaranteed.

Personal
Alexander was raised by his mother and his maternal uncle. He is married and has three daughters. He is also diabetic and has stated that he has a family history of diabetes and thus a spokesmen for the National Kidney Foundation.

When he joined the Redskins in 2006, Alexander gained the nickname, "One Man Gang", due to the versatility of football positions he can play; offensive guard, tight end, linebacker, fullback, defensive tackle, defensive end, and special teams.

Alexander co-owns and runs a Pilates studio in Ashburn, Virginia called The Studio M.B.S. (Mind, Body, Soul) with Redskins teammate, Kedric Golston.

Lorenzo has a yearly charity bike ride called "Ride to Provide" along the W&OD trail.