Syracuse Football: Top 10 players that should have their jerseys retired
- Played at Syracuse from 1916-20.
- Three-time All American (twice consensus): 1918, 1919, and 1920.
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
- Elected to Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
Even though jersey numbers weren’t a thing yet, a blank jersey with his name on the back of it would certainly suffice.
Many Syracuse football fans weren’t alive to appreciate Joe Alexander, but hopefully, you can understand some of his career accomplishments. For instance, Alexander and Ernie Davis are the only two players in program history to earn multiple consensus All-American honors.
Versatility was the name of his game not only on the football field but off of it. He captained the Syracuse lacrosse team for one season. J.A. was a member of Syracuse’s All-Century football team and was a local product of old Central High School in Syracuse. Finally, in his three A-A seasons, SU went 19-6-1 and tossed 14 shutouts. It outscored the opposition 473-89 in dominant fashion.
After his Syracuse career, he went on to play professionally as a “roving center” a position we now call “linebacker”.
Played in the NFL on weekends between 1921-27, practicing medicine in between. He ended up spending 40 years as a physician/surgeon. While a pro was twice an All-Pro. Also spent two seasons as both head coach AND player (one with the Rochester Jeffersons; one with the New York Giants).
His nickname was “Alexander The Great”, he is honored today with Syracuse annually handing out its’ Joseph Alexander Award to the Orange football player who best personifies excellence in football, scholarship, and citizenship.