Ray Alexander (gridiron football)
| No. 80, 87 | |
| Born: | January 8, 1962 Miami, Florida |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | WR |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College | Florida A&M |
| High school | Mobile (AL) Shaw |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1984 | Denver Broncos |
| 1985–1986 | Calgary Stampeders (CFL) |
| 1987–1989 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1990–1994 | BC Lions (CFL) |
| 1995 | Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1991 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1986, 1990, 1991, 1994 |
| Career stats | |
| |
Vernest Raynard Alexander (born January 8, 1962) is a former gridiron football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys.[1] He also played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League for three teams. He played college football at Florida A&M University.[2]
Early years
Alexander attended John Shaw High School, before moving on to Florida A&M University. He became a starter at wide receiver as a sophomore, posting 38 receptions for 535 yards and one touchdown. The next year, he registered 41 receptions for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was a dominant player as a senior, earning MEAC offensive player of the year honors, while tallying 57 receptions for 1,079 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Alexander finished his college career with school records for career receptions, career receiving yards (2,632), career touchdown receptions (20), career 100-yard receiving games (6), single-season receiving yards (1,079), single-season receptions (57), single-game receptions, single-game receiving yards and single-game receiving touchdowns (3).
In 1995, he was inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.[3]
Professional career
Denver Broncos
Alexander was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos after the 1984 NFL Draft. He played as a reserve in 8 games, registering 8 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown.[4] He was waived on August 26, 1985.[5]
Calgary Stampeders
In 1986, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was named a starter at wide receiver, registering 88 catches (third in the league) for 1,590 yards (second in the league) and 10 touchdowns, while receiving West All-Star honors.
Dallas Cowboys
On March 23, 1987, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent, hoping that his success in Canada could translate into the National Football League.[6] He suffered a broken left wrist during training camp and was placed on the injured reserve list.[7]
The next year, the team lost promising wide receiver Mike Sherrard to injury for a second year in a row and Alexander became a starter in a young receivers corps, that included rookie Michael Irvin. He led the team with 54 ctaches for 788 yards and 6 touchdowns. Almost a third of his 54 receptions were a first down (11) or a touchdown (5) on third or fourth down situations. He had a career-high 112 yards on 8 receptions against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was released on September 1, 1989,[8] and later re-signed on September 18 to play in two games.[9]
BC Lions
On March 13, 1990, he returned for a second stint in the Canadian Football League, signing as a free agent with the BC Lions.[10] In his first season back, he recorded 65 receptions for 1,120 yards and his second West All-Star award.
In 1991, he had a career-year with 104 catches for 1,650 yards and received both West and CFL All-Star honors. He was released in June 1992, only to be re-signed in August, finishing with 10 games and 56 receptions for 786 yards.
In 1993, he returned to form with 77 receptions for 1,300 yards and 4 touchdowns. The next year, he recorded 85 catches for 1,234 yards and 6 touchdowns, receiving his last West All-Star nod.
Ottawa Rough Riders
In 1995, he was signed as a free agent by the Ottawa Rough Riders, posting 59 receptions for 801 yards and 5 touchdowns in 14 games. On March 13, 1996, he was traded back to the BC Lions in exchange for wide receiver Robert Gordon, but never played another game.[11]
References
- ^ Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. 554.
- ^ Hollander, Zander. The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1989. Canada: Penguin, 1989. 72.
- ^ "Johnson Among B-cc Trio Honored". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Youth will be served in the Denver Broncos' training camp". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Cowboys ink Alexander". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Florida Players". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Sports Transactions". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Johnson Searching For Winning Answers". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Tuesday's Moves". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Wednesday Moves". Retrieved January 29, 2018.