The longest yard: MF salutes the guy who came up 36 inches short of last year's NFL rushing title

Men's Fitness, Dec, 2005 by Brian Libby

Last year Seattle Seahawks tailback SHAUN ALEXANDER lost the NFL rushing title by one yard. Yes: one frickin' yard! But for this Pro Bowler, who entered the league in 2000 as the Alabama Crimson Tide's all-time leading rusher, life is about looking forward, not, back.

Does missing the rushing title by such a small amount motivate you, or is it something you'd like to put to rest?

Honestly, it was bigger for the media than for me. To think I was tipping over tables or fighting with Coach Holmgren--that's just not me. But I do remember some guys coming up and saying, "Hey, dog, I may not be in the Pro Bowl, but I want to block for the guy who wins the rushing title." So I want to go get it for them.

You missed your first NFL start for the birth of your daughter. Does putting family first ever conflict with the pressures of the NFL?

Matter of fact, it's probably better for your work. Your company will see the values in you--that you put the important things first. I remember that game I missed the first quarter-and-a-half while my daughter Heaven was being born. We were in the hospital and my wife said, "OK now, I'm feeling fine, and it's time for you to get with your boys and help the team win." So I took off, and I got there in the second quarter. We were down 10 points. I broke off a couple runs, and we came back and won the same. It was the first time we'd started off the season 3-0 in about 10 years.

Your coach, Mike Holmgren, seems like a pretty stern guy. Is there a side we don't see?

[Laughs] Actually, a little-known fact is that when he was teaching high school, Coach Holmgren was the lead singer in a pop band made up of him and some other teachers. Can you imagine him onstage?

Uh, not really. Most running backs average only three years in the NFL. What's your secret to staying healthy?

During the season, I try not to lift so many weights that I'm tearing the muscle, but enough that I stay strong. You want to peak in September when the season starts, not in May or June. The guys who don't rest are the ones I run by in October and November.

What do you enjoy most in the game?

I enjoy everything. I like to soak up every moment.... But am I satisfied? No. I'm just ready for whatever comes next.

pros picks

You don't need All-Pro skills to be able to run the pigskin like Seattle's Shaun Alexander--just the right ball, autographed by Alexander himself. Luckily, MF is giving away just that. Wilson's F1000 football is the NFL's official game ball. One of you lucky bastards will win it by telling us in 10 words or less how it will help your gridiron game. Send your answer to shaunsfootball@ mensfitness.com. The most original entry wins.

3 (OTHER) FAMOUS NEAR MISSES

* 2000: In Super Bowl XXXIV, the Tennessee Titans were driving for a potential game-tying score. But Tennessee's Kevin Dyson was stopped by Rams linebacker Mike Jones on the one-yard line, ending what many have called the greatest Super Bowl in history.

1986: At the Masters. Greg Norman led the tournament not only going into the final round but also entering the last hole. But after his approach on 18 sailed into the crowd, an aging golfer by the name of Jack Nicklaus stole the tournament by one stroke.

1972: During the bizarre finish of the Olympic basketball final between the U.S. and the USSR, the clock was reset to three seconds ... twice! A late Soviet basket led to a 51-50 victory. None of the Americans has ever collected his silver medal.