Following some special arrangements at what wound up being Lorenzo Alexander's final home game with the Bills in Week 17, there was speculation that the linebacker's 15th NFL season could prove to be his last. At the close of a difficult overtime playoff defeat on Saturday, Alexander confirmed that his professional playing career is over.
"I'm done," he said. "I made the decision a while ago. It's more about choosing my family than not choosing football. I'm a man that holds my family in high regard and they've been with me for the last 11 years of my career, so, this is about being with them, being with my wife who's played such a vital role in my success. It's time for me to allow her to do some of the things she wants to do and just be a supportive husband and stay-at-home dad.
"I played 15 years. No regrets at all, met a lot of great teammates, people that I'll call family for the rest of my life. It's been a great ride. I've loved every minute of it."
Alexander cherished every minute of it because even he didn't think he'd be around this long. An undrafted free agent out of Cal, Alexander cut his teeth in the league as a special teams coverage player. To stay in the league he bulked up to play both defensive and offensive line, before transitioning back to a more natural position of linebacker for most of his career.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, once as a special teamer (2012) and once as a linebacker in the 2016 season with the Bills when he led the team with 12.5 sacks, Alexander truly defied the odds.
"I've accomplished everything for the most part that I wanted to outside of winning the Super Bowl with being an All-Pro, being a Pro Bowler. I played this league 15 years, we've set ourselves financially where I can do whatever I really want to do. So I'd rather choose my family and be with my sons be with my daughters and my wife and pour into them, because I'm at a point physically, emotionally and spiritually in my life where I really want to focus my attention [on them]."
Alexander said he came to his decision around midseason.
"You're kind of going back and forth, but at the end of the day it was about making a decision for my family and because it was about my family and not about walking away from something that I love, I think that made it more at peace for me."
In his four seasons with the Bills, Alexander produced three of the most productive seasons of his career, which included 24 of his 33 career sacks and all three of his career interceptions. As he always stated, he just needed a full-time opportunity, something that eluded him for much of his career. He became an unquestioned leader in Buffalo's locker room, who was instrumental in helping head coach Sean McDermott establish his culture change within the organization.
"It's been great to be a part of something special," he said. "I think we have started to set this organization on a track to where it can be a perennial playoff team and a contender every single year. So a lot of great young men and women in that building and hopefully I've impacted their lives in a positive way through the leadership and the way I show up every day. That's been a real special part of my time here in Buffalo."
Extremely active in the Buffalo community, Alexander in his final season is once again the Bills candidate for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
And though Alexander's playing career is over, he intends to keep up his appearances in Western New York.
"I'll still be around," he said. "I'm a part of this community in Buffalo. So hopefully I can do some things like Kyle Williams and Eric Wood is doing you know staying engaged and coming around and still being a Buffalo Bill. I'm a Bill for life."
Scroll through to view photos of Lorenzo Alexander's 15-season career. Alexander played 15 seasons in the NFL for Oakland, Arizona, Washington, and the Buffalo Bills. He ends his career having played in 191 games with 467 total tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 33 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions. Alexander played tight end, defensive line and linebacker in addition to his valuable special teams play. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and was a captain in Washington, Arizona and Buffalo.
Alexander played in Washington from 2007 - 2012.
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Washington Redskins defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander (79) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on December 13, 2009. The Redskins defeated the Raiders 34-13. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Alexander played in Washington from 2007 - 2012.
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Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander #97 moves towards the ballcarrier during the NFL Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins. The Eagles won 59-28 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sunday November 15th 2010. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
Alexander played in Washington from 2007 - 2012.
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Washington Redskins LB Lorenzo Alexander of the NFC in the fourth quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Honolulu, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Alexander played in Arizona from 2013 - 2014.
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Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (97) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alexander played in Arizona from 2013 - 2014.
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Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (97) on the field during an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Alexander played in Oakland during the 2015 season.
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Oakland Raiders linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (56) looks into during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at O.co Coliseum on September 20, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Raven 37-33. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Alexander played in Oakland during the 2015 season.
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Oakland Raiders linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (56) during an NFL regular game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in San Diego. The Raiders won, 37-29. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Lorenzo Alexander signed with Buffalo in 2016, then led the team with 12.5 sacks and was named a Pro Bowler at LB.
Lorenzo Alexander signed with Buffalo in 2016, then led the team with 12.5 sacks and was named a Pro Bowler at LB.
Lorenzo Alexander signed with Buffalo in 2016, then led the team with 12.5 sacks and was named a Pro Bowler at LB.
DEC 11, 2016, Orchard Park, NY: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Lorenzo Alexander
(c) 2016 Craig Melvin
AFC outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) of the Buffalo Bills, and tight end Travis Kelce (87), of the Kansas City Chiefs, raise the MVP trophy following the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The AFC defeated the NFL 20-13. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
A Bills captain for the first time in 2017, Alexander played in all 16 games and helped lead the team to the playoffs. Alexander will also be remembered for his lasting work in the WNY community.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
A Bills captain for the first time in 2017, Alexander played in all 16 games and helped lead the team to the playoffs. Alexander will also be remembered for his lasting work in the WNY community.
Buffalo Bills Play 60 Event at Bennett Park Montessori School. Photo by Bill Wippert.
October 3, 2017.
A Bills captain for the first time in 2017, Alexander played in all 16 games and helped lead the team to the playoffs. Alexander will also be remembered for his lasting work in the WNY community.
A Bills captain for the first time in 2017, Alexander played in all 16 games and helped lead the team to the playoffs. Alexander will also be remembered for his lasting work in the WNY community.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Man of there Year Buffalo Bills Play 60 Party at ADPRO Sports Training Center.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 5, 2017.
A Bills captain for the first time in 2017, Alexander played in all 16 games and helped lead the team to the playoffs. Alexander will also be remembered for his lasting work in the WNY community.
Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Field in Atlanta, Ga. on October 1, 2017.
Photo by Craig Melvin.
A captain again in 2018, Alexander had 74 tackles and 6.5 sacks while helping mentor young linebackers in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at New Era Field.
Photo by Kevin Hoffman
December 16, 2018
A captain again in 2018, Alexander had 74 tackles and 6.5 sacks while helping mentor young linebackers in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds.
Buffalo Bills Play 60
September 25, 2018
Buffalo Bills
Photo by Sara Schmidle
A captain again in 2018, Alexander had 74 tackles and 6.5 sacks while helping mentor young linebackers in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field.
Photo by Kevin Hoffman
October 7, 2018
Alexander signed a one-year contract in the offseason to keep him in Buffalo for the 2019 season.
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019. Photo by Craig Melvin
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills Lorenzo Alexander (57) vs Denver Broncos at New Era Field, November 24, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills at New York Giants, September 15, 2019 Metlife Stadium. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills Inspire Change Day , October 22, 2019. Photo by Sara Schmidle
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Washington Redskins at New Era Field on November 3, 2019. Photo by Craig Melvin
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) and family Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, December 29, 2019 at New Era Field.
Photo by Bill Wippert
During his final season in 2019, Alexander was once again a captain and played in all 17 games for the Bills. He was a very versatile player and a valuable member of the defense and special teams. His work in the community will be something he looks to continue in the future and is something he is very proud of during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets at New Era Field, December 29, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
