SHAUN ALEXANDER SETS NFL RECORD WITH FIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN ONE HALF
Wayne Atcheson
Mr. Sunday Night Football is the new title tagged on Shaun Alexander, Alabama’s latest pride and joy who is literally making a name for himself in the National Football League.
His five first half touchdowns Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings was a first in NFL history. No other player had scored five TD’s in one half. Three players including Gayle Sayers have the NFL record with six touchdowns in one game.
Shaun’s Seattle Seahawks thumped the Vikings 48-23 Sunday night on ESPN, and scored 28 points in a 1-minute, 47-second span just before the half.
Last September in a Sunday night game against the Oakland Raiders, Shaun had 266 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns on an ESPN telecast. The yardage was a team record and was the third highest in NFL history.
Against the Vikings, the Seahawks scored on its opening drive with Shaun taking it in from the 2-yard line. On its next possession, Shaun burst down the left side for 43 yards and scored on the next play from the 20-yard line.
In the second quarter, Shaun took a screen pass from Trent Dilfer and traveled 80-yards down the field for another score. On the kickoff, the Seahawks forced and recovered a fumble and Shaun scored against from three yards out. Another fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff gave Shaun the opportunity to score from the 14-yard line.
Shaun’s 30 points, four rushing touchdowns and 273 combined yards are new team records. “We wanted to make a statement,” Shaun said afterwards. “We wanted to show we were better than what we’ve done the last three weeks (0-3). Things just connected today.”
Sunday was special for Shaun in the all-important spiritual aspect of his life. Shaun was featured on Evangelist Billy Graham’s “Hour of Decision” radio broadcast that reaches across American and many countries abroad.
On June 30, Shaun gave a brief testimonial of his faith in Jesus Christ at the Billy Graham Crusade in Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati before 66,000 people. Shaun’s witness that day was included on Sunday’s Billy Graham radio program.
“I grew up in Florence, Kentucky across the river and came to know Christ at age ten at the St. Stephen’s Baptist Church. He has been dear to my heart and life ever since. To be on God’s team is to be on a team that is undefeated and never loses,” said Shaun to that Sunday night crusade audience.
So indeed, Sunday was a huge day for Shaun who became one of Alabama’s all-time favorite sons on the gridiron and as the campus leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
This weekend, the Seattle Seahawks have an open date so Shaun will bring his broad smile and presence to Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday for the Alabama-Georgia game.
He would be a big hit even without scoring five touchdowns Sunday.
His next game will be on Monday Night Football on Oct. 14 in Seattle against the San Francisco Forty-Niners. Shaun will once against be in the spotlight where he always shines and gives his fans pleasure with his God given talent.
This is his third season in the NFL. He should have plenty of golden days ahead with the start he has in scoring touchdowns and running the football at will. His chosen lifestyle of Christian faith, integrity and providing a shining role model for youth is cause enough for all good things ahead.