Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander
This past Tuesday, Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander appeared on Comcast SportsnetTV’s, Redskins Nation with host Larry Michael. They not only talked about Alexander, they talked about a charity event that is very important to the linebacker. The viewer came away with good insight to this very versatile Redskins player and some things that are important to him.
Michael began the interview by asking Alexander to comment on how many guys that are out at Redskins Park these days – even during their break before training camp begins.
Alexander replied that because the team’s record was 4-12 last year, and because they have a new head coach and new scheme this year, the guys are out there trying to build team chemistry and get ready for training camp. He said that he hopes it translates into some wins next season.
Michael then said that watching Alexander during OTAs, he seemed to be a natural at the linebacker position. Alexander answered that tackling and working on special teams had helped him as well picking the brains of teammates and fellow linebackers, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo.
Lorenzo Alexander, signed to the team’s practice squad on October 3, 2006, is a versatile and valuable player. During his career, he has played on both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as playing fullback and tight end on goal line formations.
This season, he has converted to linebacker to work in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s new 3-4 defense. Alexander appears to be the ultimate team guy and Haslett has noticed his value and likes it. After the first two mini-camps of this off-season, he raved about his versatile player, as reported by the Washington Post.
“He’s been awesome. The guy’s awesome. The guy’s unbelievable,” Haslett told reporters after a Wednesday practice. “He’s a better athlete than I would have ever guessed. If you’d told me last year he played three technique, I would have never guessed it. If you said he played linebacker, I would have said he played linebacker. He’s 275 pounds. He’s [the] ideal size for the position. He’s got good rush ability. He’s unbelievably smart. He’s tough as nails. I love the guy.”
Not only is the former Golden Bear a coach’s dream, he is a giving and charitable man. Throughout his time here in Washington he has been heavily involved in the Redskins Charitable Foundation, and he is currently getting ready to host a big-time bike ride with fellow teammate, defensive tackle Kedric Golston.
During the interview, Michael asked Alexander about the special event that Lorenzo hosts and that means so much to him.
Lorenzo went on to explain that, a couple of years ago he and Kedric Golston got into biking and they are now involved in a charity called “Ride to Provide” which will raise money to donate to orphans in Africa. You can tell by what Lorenzo is quoted as saying on the web page that it is important to him as he basically said something very similar to Larry Michael:
“Get up, Gear Up and Give a little of you to make a world of difference in the lives of the less-fortunate! Join me to celebrate National Make A Difference To Children Month and help ensure a brighter future for hundreds of local, underserved youth and abandoned children in Africa.”
This year’s event, to be held on July 18th, will involve other Redskins teammates as well as area radio and sports television celebrities. It will take place at the Reston Town Center Pavilion and run from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. The website is www.ridetoprovide.org.
Michael then brought up Alexander’s background, making the comment that he “beat all the odds” and saying, “you didn’t exactly grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth.”
Lorenzo relayed to the host that he grew up in Oakland, CA without a father. He noted that he grew up in a part of Oakland that was a typical inner city area. He said there were drugs and a low-income economy. Fortunately for Alexander, he had an uncle that was there for him but he said that having to work “extra hard to be on the team” was the “story of my life”.
Michael asked if that was why Alexander believed in giving back to the community so much.
“Most definitely,” he replied. “I give back by getting out there, talking to people – the same way people like Kedric Golston and London Fletcher do… by talking to the people.”
At the end of the interview, Michael gave Alexander a “Pop Culture” quiz. Alexander did great! Here is their Q & A session:
Michael: “What company is responsible for the Gulf oil [spill] disaster?”
Alexander: “Aw, BP. That’s very easy.”
Michael: “Alright. What are the names of those annoying horns at the World Cup?”
Alexander: “I’m probably going to mispronounce this but… VuVu Zelas??? (he did pronounce it correctly!)
Michael: “That’s two out of three! I told you if you get two out of three you’d be a winner! Here’s the last one – it’s the hardest… the name of President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court?”
Alexander: “I was just watching this last night!… I don’t know her name. All I know is that she’s never been a judge and that’s one of the knocks on her. I was just watching it last night… I just don’t know her name. It begins with a K… “
Michael: “it’s Kagan… I told you, you got two out of three!!! That’s pretty good!”
(Personally, I think Alexander should have gotten credit for that last one!)
Larry Michael ended the interview by asking Alexander whether it bothered him that people in America call soccer football. Alexander defended the fact that America is the only country that ONLY calls it soccer and that was the end of that subject!
Lorenzo Alexander is an asset to the Redskins and a very cool dude. No doubt about it… good player, good teammate, smart, easy to talk to, strong as an ox and giving.
Kudos to Larry Michael for having Alexander on the show. While he may not start, I would bet that we see a lot of the linebacker during the season. That is going to be a good thing.