Joe Alexander
was a three-time All-
America lineman at Syracuse University,
in 1917 and 1918 at guard, and in
1919 at the center position. Alexander’s
roving style was akin to the modern linebacker—unique
in the early days of
college football—and he was the team’s
offensive signal caller from his line position.
He played professional football
with an assortment of teams, including the Rochester Jeffersons,
Philadelphia
Quakers, Frankford Yellow Jackets,
Rochester Kodaks, Milwaukee Badgers,
and, finally, the New York Giants
from 1925 to 1927.
When the Giants were granted a
National Football League (NFL) franchise
in 1925, Alexander was the first
player signed by the New Yorkers. He
was named to the NFL All-Star team
that year.
A practicing medical doctor since
his college graduation in 1921, Alexander
was one of the few Giants to receive
a yearly salary. He took over as Giants
head coach in 1926, but relinquished
the job in his final year with the team.
In 1937, the New York World-
Telegram named Alexander to its Alltime
All-America Team at guard. Football
expert George Trevor selected him
as the greatest collegiate guard of the
decade 1919 to 1929. He was elected by
the National Football Foundation to the
College Football Hall of Fame.
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