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LSU announces jersey retirement of all-time great running back
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
LSU has produced its share of great running backs, and in 2025, one of them will have his jersey retired.
Charles Alexander, who ranks near the top of just about every major rushing category in school history, will be honored with a jersey retirement in the 2025 season, the program announced on Thursday.
A Galveston, Texas native, Alexander totaled 4,035 rushing yards from 1975-1978, ranking 3rd in program history. His 1,686 yards in 1977 was the Tigers’ highest single-season total until Leonard Fournette recorded 1,953 yards in 2015. Alexander also has 40 touchdowns — tied for 3rd-most in school history — and rushed for 4 touchdowns in a single game in 1977, which stood as a record for 20 yards. That 1977 season saw him pick up SEC Player of the Year honors while he was a first-team All-SEC performer and consensus All-American pick in 1977 and 1978.
After his college career, Alexander was a 1st-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, spending 8 seasons with the franchise before retiring in 1985. His best season was in 1980, when he ran for 702 yards on 169 carries.
In 2012, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
