John Wesley Alexander (born November 12, 1955) is an American former professional

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defensive end Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football. This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formation (American football), formations over the years have substantially ...

who played two seasons with the

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...

of the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL). He was selected by the Dolphins in the 11th round of the

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after playing

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Rutgers Rutgers University ( ), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College and was aff ...

Early life and college

John Wesley Alexander was born on November 12, 1955, in

Hattiesburg, Mississippi Hattiesburg is a city in the U.S. state of Mississippi, located primarily in Forrest County, Mississippi, Forrest County (where it is the county seat and most populous city) and extending west into Lamar County, Mississippi, Lamar County. The ci ...

. He attended Plainfield High School in

Plainfield, New Jersey Plainfield is a City (New Jersey), city in Union County, New Jersey, Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Nicknamed "The Queen City",

. Alexander was a four-year

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for the

Rutgers Scarlet Knights The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus. In sports, Rutgers is famously known for being the "Birthplace of College Football", hosting the first ever intercollegiate football ...

Rutgers University Rutgers University ( ), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a Public university, public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's C ...

from 1973 to 1976. He earned

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(AP) second-team All-East honors in 1975. In 1976, he was named first-team All-East by both

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and the AP. Alexander was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.

Professional career

Alexander was selected by the

in the 11th round, with the 291st overall pick, of the

. He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on July 13. He was activated on October 29, 1977, and played in four games for the Dolphins during the 1977 season. Alexander was released on August 29, 1978. He was re-signed on October 4, 1978, and appeared in eight games that year. He was released again on August 21, 1979. Alexander signed with the

Washington Redskins The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East ...

on April 8, 1980. He was released on July 24, 1980.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Stanley 1955 births Living people American football defensive ends Plainfield High School (New Jersey) alumni Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players Miami Dolphins players Players of American football from Hattiesburg, Mississippi 20th-century American sportsmen Washington Redskins players