Introduction
Shaun Alexander remains one of the most celebrated running backs in NFL history. From his standout years in Seattle to his life as a husband, father, and public figure, Alexander’s personal and professional journey offers compelling narratives. In this article, we explore Shaun Alexander’s age, wife and family life, children, net worth, and his career earnings, giving you a full picture of the man off the field as well as on it.
Early Life & Background
Shaun Alexander was born on August 30, 1977, in Florence, Kentucky. Growing up, he displayed athletic prowess in multiple sports. In high school, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, drawing attention from college scouts. His college football career took place at the University of Alabama, where he etched his name into the program’s history.
At Alabama, Alexander established multiple rushing records, helping cement his status as a top NFL prospect. After his collegiate success, he declared for the NFL draft and was selected in the first round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2000.
Age & Personal Profile
As of 2025, Shaun Alexander is 48 years old (born August 30, 1977).
Beyond his age, Alexander is known for being a devoted Christian, a family man, a public speaker, and someone who has used his fame for philanthropic efforts. His post-NFL life has been anchored by faith, family, and mentoring youth.
Wife: Valerie Alexander
Early Life & Marriage
Shaun Alexander is married to Valerie Alexander (née Boyd). The two first met before his NFL prominence, dated for approximately two years, and tied the knot in April 2002. Valerie has remained a steadfast support throughout Alexander’s career and beyond.
According to media reports, Valerie has often played a quiet but central role in the family: coordinating homeschooling, managing the household, and nurturing their large brood.
Her Role & Public Presence
Though not as publicly visible as Shaun, Valerie’s contribution is widely acknowledged. She has helped manage the family’s operations, supported homeschooling initiatives for their children, and shared glimpses of daily life on social media. Their life is infused with faith, and together they often speak about how spirituality guides their decisions.
In recent interviews and press, aspects of their marital dynamic, parenting philosophy, and struggle with grief (especially after the loss of a child) have surfaced, highlighting a deeply bonded partnership under difficult and joyful times alike.
Kids & Family
One of the most remarkable aspects of Shaun Alexander’s personal life is the size of his family.
Number of Children & Recent Update
As of late 2025, Shaun and Valerie have 13 living children, and they announced they are expecting their 14th child.
Shaun revealed the news during a talk show appearance, stating “number 14 is in the belly.”
Names & Gender Composition
Their children’s names are widely reported in media:
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Heaven
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Trinity
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Eden
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Joseph
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Justus
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Temple
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Honor
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Jedidiah
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Torah (deceased)
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Eternity
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Hosanna
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Hope
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Judea
Out of the children, they have ten daughters and three sons currently.
Tragically, their child Torah passed away 70 days after birth. The family often speaks about how they remember and honor her life.
Parenting & Homeschooling
Given the large family, the Alexanders have adopted a homeschooling model for their children. Shaun has spoken in interviews about structuring daily routines around schooling in the afternoon, dinner as a family unit, and so forth.
He once described a typical schedule:
“From 1:30 pm–4:30 pm, I’m doing something related to home schooling for my kids … At 5 pm, we usually have a big family dinner. Six to 8 pm is family time … kids are usually being put to bed from 8 to 9 pm.”
The couple often emphasize that their large family is grounded in faith, with shared values guiding their choices, discipline, and priorities.
Challenges & Joys
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Grief & Loss: The death of their child Torah deeply affected them, and they have spoken publicly about processing grief through faith.
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Logistics: Managing schedules, meals, transportation, schooling, and healthcare for so many children presents constant logistical challenges. However, the Alexanders appear to handle these with discipline, structure, and mutual support.
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Community & Support: Their extended family, church community, and public presence provide a network that likely assists in child-rearing and social support.
Career & NFL Achievements
Before delving into earnings, let’s recap Shaun Alexander’s football career, since his success on the field laid the foundation for his post-career life.
NFL Career Highlights
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Alexander played in the NFL from 2000 to 2008.
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For most of his career, he was with the Seattle Seahawks, and in his final year, he spent time with the Washington Redskins (Washington).
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His best season was 2005, when he rushed for 1,880 yards and scored 27 rushing touchdowns, earning him NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-Pro honors.
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He set franchise records with the Seahawks and remains one of their all-time leading rushers.
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Over his career, he accumulated 9,453 rushing yards and 112 total touchdowns (rushing + receiving) in the NFL.
Legacy & Recognition
Alexander’s 2005 season is often cited among the greatest running back campaigns in NFL history. His consistency (with five consecutive 1,100+ yard seasons) earned him a reputation for durability and effectiveness.
After injuries began to impact him post-2006, his production declined, and in 2008 he moved to Washington before retiring.
Post-career, his reputation has been bolstered by his faith, family focus, public speaking, and mentorship through youth programs and foundations.
Career Earnings & Contracts
A critical component of any athlete’s long-term stability is how much they earned during their playing days. In Alexander’s case, his earnings were substantial.
Total Career Earnings
Over his nine NFL seasons, Shaun Alexander earned approximately $34,346,649 in salary alone.
This figure is often cited and reported across financial and sports outlets.
Contracts & Peak Value
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After his outstanding 2005 MVP season, Alexander signed a major contract extension with Seattle — reportedly an 8-year, $62 million deal, which at that time was among the richest ever for a running back.
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The contract included an $11.5 million signing bonus, which is typical of large NFL deals to guarantee early compensation.
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In his peak years, Alexander earned millions per season, reflecting his top-tier status in the league.
Year-by-Year Earnings (Approximate)
While full verified breakdowns are harder to obtain, Celebrity Net Worth and other sources share approximate per-year salaries:
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2000: ~$4.1 million
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2001: ~$298,000
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2002: ~$575,000
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2003: ~$650,000
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2004: ~$3.5 million
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2005: ~$6.3 million
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2006: ~$15.1 million
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2007: ~$3.4 million
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2008 (Washington): ~$730,000
Adding these up matches closely to the $34+ million total.
Earnings vs. Endorsements & Other Income
These figures reflect salary alone. They typically do not include additional income streams such as:
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Endorsements
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Public speaking engagements
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Book royalties
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Media appearances
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Investments or business ventures
Thus, Alexander’s total lifetime earnings (beyond salary) may be higher, though public estimates often focus on the $34M figure.
Net Worth
Reported Estimates
As of 2025, most sources estimate Shaun Alexander’s net worth between $12 million and $15 million.
Celebrity Net Worth lists $12 million.
Some media outlets cite a range up to $15 million.
These figures consider post-career spending, taxes, lifestyle, investments, and other financial obligations.
Context & Considerations
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Taxes & Expenses: Professional athletes often face high tax rates, agent fees, and lifestyle costs, which can diminish retained wealth.
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Family Costs: Raising a large family with 13–14 children is expensive. Some estimates speculatively suggest the cost to raise 14 kids over time could exceed $5.5 million (if multiplied by average child-raising costs over 18 years).
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Real Estate & Assets: The family reportedly purchased a 14-acre property in Purcellville, Virginia (in 2014) for $1.1 million, with two homes totaling over 7,000 square feet.
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Legacy & Investments: Alexander’s post-football life includes motivational speaking, writing, and mentoring — potential revenue sources that may add to net worth over time.
Thus, though $12M–$15M is the commonly reported figure, the true net worth may fluctuate depending on investment performance, liabilities, and revenue beyond NFL contracts.
Balancing Family & Career: Insights
Prioritizing Family
For Alexander, family has always come first. He often speaks about structuring routines around them, homeschooling, prayer, and creating a stable, faith-centered home.
He has remarked that post-retirement, one of his goals was to be more present for his children and wife.
Financial Responsibility
Earning $34+ million in salary is significant, but to sustain, especially with a large family, demands prudent financial planning. Alexander’s visible commitments to education, community, and faith suggest a long-term oriented mindset.
Public Role & Influence
Though he is no longer an active athlete, Alexander remains in the public eye through speaking, writing, and community outreach. His life story — combining athletic excellence, deep faith, and large-scale family life — resonates with many.
Challenges of Large Families
With so many children, challenges include:
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Scheduling and logistics (meals, transport, schooling)
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Health care and emergencies
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Emotional and individual attention
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Educational resources
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Privacy vs. public exposure
The Alexanders seem to address these via structure, community support, and shared values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many children does Shaun Alexander have?
He currently has 13 living children and is expecting his 14th.
Q2: What is his net worth?
Most sources estimate a net worth between $12 million and $15 million as of 2025.
Q3: How much did he earn in his NFL career?
His NFL salary earnings total about $34,346,649 over nine seasons.
Q4: When did he marry Valerie?
They married in April 2002, after dating for two years.
Q5: What was his best season?
2005 stands out as his peak year: 1,880 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns, MVP honors, and leading the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl.
Conclusion
Shaun Alexander’s story is far more than touchdowns and yardage. It’s a story of faith, family, sacrifice, and legacy. From a stellar NFL career to a life committed to his wife, children, and values, Alexander is an example of how success on the field can transition into meaningful life off the field.
At age 48, with 14 children (13 living currently), a wife of over two decades, a net worth estimated in the low teens (million dollars), and a career earning over $34 million, his life encapsulates highs and challenges alike.
His path reminds us that for many athletes, true wealth isn’t just in contracts and statistics — it’s in the relationships, impact, and integrity one sustains long after the final whistle.
