Alexander The Great?

Shaun Alexander wants you to know that he's the NFL's next star running back. But it's his coaches who need convincing.

Updated: October 1, 2003, 12:31 PM ET

By Tim Keown | ESPN The Magazine

Shaun Alexander possesses many fine qualities. Perhaps none is finer than his willingness to forgive those who don't realize or fully acknowledge Shaun Alexander's greatness. He's a tolerant man. He forgives with his winning smile and a few kind words. He's a patient man. He figures the uninformed won't stay that way forever.

You can't help but like the guy, even though, as he talks, you repeatedly wonder, does he realize how that sounds? He's accommodating and polite, bright and thoughtful. You ask, he answers. He speaks of family and values and God (and then God a little more). When he's told the idea behind this story is to anoint him the NFL's next great running back, he laughs -- almost a giggle -- and says, "I agree completely. Let's go with that."

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