Celibacy refers to a state of being unmarried, or a state of abstinence from sexual intercourse or the abstention by vow from marriage.^[1]

Etymology[link]

The English word celibacy derives from the Latin caelibatus, "state of being unmarried", from Latin caelebs, meaning "unmarried". This word derives from two Proto-Indo-European stems, *kaiwelo- "alone" and *lib(h)s- "living".^[2]

Abstinence and celibacy[link]

The words abstinence and celibacy are often used interchangeably, but are different. Sexual abstinence, also known as continence,^[3] refers to abstaining from all sexual activity, often for some limited period of time.^[4] Asexuality is considered distinct from abstention from sexual activity and from celibacy, which are behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal or religious beliefs.^[5]

In her book The New Celibacy, Gabrielle Brown states that "abstinence is a response on the outside to what's going on, and celibacy is a response from the inside."^[6] According to this definition, celibacy (even short-term celibacy that is pursued for non-religious reasons) is much more than not having sex. It is more intentional than abstinence, and its goal is personal growth and empowerment. This perspective on celibacy is echoed by several authors including Elizabeth Abbott, Wendy Keller, and Wendy Shalit.^[7]

Buddhism[link]

The rule of celibacy in the Buddhist religion, whether Mahayana or Theravada, has a long history. Celibacy was advocated as an ideal rule of life for all monks and nuns by Gautama Buddha, except for Japan where it is not strictly followed due to historical political developments following the Meiji Restoration. In Japan, celibacy was an ideal among Buddhist clerics for thousands of years. But violations of clerical celibacy were so common for so long that, finally, in 1872, state laws made marriage legal for Buddhist clerics. Subsequently, ninety percent of Buddhist monks/clerics married.^[8]

Gautama, later known as the Buddha, is very well known for his renunciation of his wife, Princess Yasodharā, and son, Rahula. In order to pursue an ascetic life, he needed to renounce aspects of the impermanent world, including his wife and son. Later on both his wife and son joined the ascetic community and are mentioned in the Buddhist texts to have become enlightened.

Hinduism[link]

In Hinduism, celibacy is usually associated with the sadhus ("holy men"), ascetics who withdraw from worldly ties.

Celibacy, termed brahmacharya in Vedic scripture, is the fourth of the yamas and the word literally translated means "dedicated to the Divinity of Life". The word is often used in yogic practice to refer to celibacy or denying pleasure, but this is only a small part of what brahmacharya represents.^[9] The purpose of practicing brahmacharya is to keep a person focused on the purpose in life, the things that instill a feeling of peace and contentment.

The Vedic literature, Srimad-Bhagavatam, reject from its very beginning kaitava-dharma or false philosophy, thus it frankly speaks about the principle of material life, and it does have a meaningful relation to celibacy. Srimad Bhagavatam does not establish broad terms destined to fulfil the demographic expansion of mundane religiousity.

Lord Rishabadeva instructed his 100 sons in this way:

pumsah striya mithuni-bhavam etam

tayor mitho hrdaya-granthim ahuh

ato grha-ksetra-sutapta-vittair

janasya moho 'yam aham mameti

The attraction between male and female is the basic principle of material existence. On the basis of this misconception, which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life's illusions and thinks in terms of "I and mine." (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.8)

According with the Yajnavalkya-smrti, as quoted in Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.13-14) (A.C. Bhaktivedanta's authorized commentary), bramacarya means celibacy:

karmana manasa vaca

sarvavasthasu sarvada

sarvatra maithuna-tyago

brahmacaryam pracaksate

"The vow of brahmacarya is meant to help one completely abstain from sex indulgence in work, words, and mind – at all times, under all circumstances and in all places."

There are eight aspects of brahmacarya, as described in Sridhara Swami's commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.12:

smaranam kirtanam kelih

preksanam guhyabhasanam

sankalpo ‘dhyavasayas ca

kriya-nirvrttir eva ca

One should not:

1. Think about women.
2. Speak about sex life.
3. Dally with women.
4. Look lustfully at women.
5. Talk intimately with women.
6. Decide to engage in sexual intercourse.
7. Endeavor for sex life.
8. Engage in sex life. (SB 6.1.13 Purport)

One who practices brahmacarya is called a brahmacari. In the varnasrama system, the brahmacari-asrama is the first of four, namely, brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa.

"According to Vedic principles, the first part of life should be utilized in brahmacarya for the development of character and spiritual qualities." (SB 3.22.19)

Brahmacarya is thus student life. It was traditionally rigorous, disciplined, and austere. It is a life of cultivation, of preparing for the future. In all asramas devotees are cultivating Krsna consciousness, preparing for the examination of death. But the brahmacari period is specifically meant for training: training in how to control the senses and subdue the mind; training to be a grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasi. This training is by submission to, service to, and friendship to the guru. (SB 7.12.1)

In terms of varnasrama principles, the highest standard of brahmacarya means the vow not to marry but to observe strict celibacy throughout life. (SB 7.12.7) This is called the brhad-vrata ("great vow"), or naisthika-brahmacarya. "Naisthika-brahmacari refers to one who never wastes his semen at any time." (SB 3.24.20) "The word maha-vrata-dharah indicates a brahmacari who has never fallen down." (SB 6.17.8)

Prahlad Maharaj, the Vaisnava devotee of Lord Nrisimhadev had prayed:

om namo bhagavate narasimhaya

namas tejas-tejase avir-avirbhava vajra-nakha

vajra-damstra karmasayan randhaya randhaya

tamo grasa grasa om svaha; abhayam

abhayam atmani bhuyistha om ksraum.

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world."

Unless one is completely freed of all material desires, which are caused by the dense darkness of ignorance, one cannot fully engage in the devotional service of the Lord. Therefore we should always offer our prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva, who killed Hiranyakasipu, the personification of material desire. Hiranya means "gold," and kasipu means "a soft cushion or bed." Materialistic persons always desire to make the body comfortable, and for this they require huge amounts of gold. Thus Hiranyakasipu was the perfect representative of materialistic life. He was therefore the cause of great disturbance to the topmost devotee, Prahlada Maharaja, until Lord Nrsimhadeva killed him. Any devotee aspiring to be free of material desires should offer his respectful prayers to Nrsimhadeva as Prahlada Maharaja did in this verse. (SB 5.18.8 Text and Purport. See also 5.18.10 and 14):

yadi dasyasi me kaman

varams tvam varadarsabha

kamanam hrdy asamroham

bhavatas tu vrne varam

"O my Lord, best of the givers of benediction, if You at all want to bestow a desirable benediction upon me, then I pray from Your Lordship that within the core of my heart there be no material desires." (Text SB 7.10.7)

Celibacy also is also the natural state of a pure and advanced devotee of the Lord. This principle of having a superior taste depicted in Bhagavad-Gita as param dristva nivartate is clearly expressed by the great Saint Sri Yamunacharya:

yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravinde

nava-nava-rasa-dhamany udyatam rantum asit

tad-avadhi bata nari-sangame smaryamane

bhavati mukha-vikarah susthu nisthivanam ca

"Since my mind has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, and I have been enjoying an ever new transcendental humor, whenever I think of sex life with a woman, my face at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought."

It is also advised by the avatar of Lord Visnu, Devahuti-suta-Kapiladev that the attraction to the oppossite sex is the cause of material captivity:

yopayati sanair maya

yosid deva-vinirmita

tam iksetatmano mrtyum

trnaih kupam ivavrtam

The woman, created by the Lord, is the representation of maya, and one who associates with such maya by accepting services must certainly know that this is the way of death, just like a blind well covered with grass.

Sripad Sankaracarya showed how one must one consider illogical that so called beauty of a woman's body as an argument to stay celibate:

nari-stana-bhara-nabhi-desam

drstva ma ga moha-vesam

etan mamsa-vasadi-vikaram

manasi vicintaya varam varam

Having seen the supposed beauty of a woman's heavy breasts and her thin waist, do not become agitated and influenced with illusion, for these attractive features are simply transformations of fat, flesh & toxins. One should chant this in his mind again and again.

Christianity[link]

According to Paul the Apostle, marriage is a social obligation that has the potential of distracting from Christ. For him, celibacy is the single life, free from such distraction, not a life of saintly denial. Sex, in turn, is not sinful but natural, and sex within marriage is both proper and necessary.^[10] According to the later St. Jerome, celibacy is a moral virtue, consisting by not living in the flesh but outside the flesh (vivere in carne praeter carnem). Celibacy excludes not only libidinous acts, but also sinful thoughts or desires of the flesh.^[11] The first Conciliar document on celibacy of the Western Christian Church (Canon 33 of the Spanish Council of Elvira, c. AD 305) states that the discipline of celibacy is to refrain from the use of marriage, i.e. refrain from having carnal contact with your spouse.^[12]

Many evangelicals prefer the term "abstinence" to "celibacy." Assuming everyone will marry, they focus their discussion on refraining from premarital sex and focusing on the joys of a future marriage. But some evangelicals, particularly older singles, desire a positive message of celibacy that moves beyond the "wait until marriage" message of abstinence campaigns. They seek a new understanding of celibacy that is focused on God rather than a future marriage or a lifelong vow to the Church.^[13]

Celibacy is viewed differently by the Catholic Church and the various Protestant communities. It includes clerical celibacy, celibacy of the consecrated life, voluntary lay celibacy, and celibacy outside of marriage. In Matthew 19, Jesus Christ says "11 Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted. 12 Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."

Thinking that the end of the world was near, a time of great upheaval, the Apostle Paul advised the Corinthian people to remain as they were, either married or unmarried:

"To the married I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord) A wife should not separate from her husband. A husband should not divorce his wife...Because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife and every woman her own husband...Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time to be free for prayer, but then return to one another so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control. Now to the unmarried and widows, I say it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do but if they cannot exercise self control they should marry for it is better to marry than to be on fire. Now in regards to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord but I give my opinion as one who is trustworthy. Time is running out. For the world in its present form is passing away...I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world – how she may please her husband. This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction"^[14]

Celibacy as a vocation may be independent from religious vows (as is the case with consecrated virgins, ascetics and hermits). Traditionally though, most celibate persons have been religious and monastics (monks resp. brothers and nuns resp. sisters). In the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions, bishops are required to be celibate. In the Eastern Christian traditions, priests and deacons are allowed to be married, yet have to remain celibate if they are unmarried at the time of ordination.

The Protestant Reformation rejected celibate life and sexual continence for preachers. Protestant celibate communities have emerged, especially from Anglican and Lutheran backgrounds.^{[citation needed]} A few minor Christian sects advocate celibacy as a better way of life. These groups included the Shakers, the Harmony Society and the Ephrata Cloister. Celibacy not only for religious and monastics (brothers/monks and sisters/nuns) but also for bishops is upheld by the Catholic Church traditions.^[15]

Catholic Church[link]

In the Catholic Church, the apostles are considered to have been the first priests and bishops in the Church. Some say the call to be eunuchs for the sake of heaven in Matthew 19 was a call to be sexually continent and that this developed into mandatory celibacy for priests as the successors of the apostles. Others see the call to be sexually continent in Matthew 19 to be a caution for men who were too readily divorcing and remarrying. A footnote in the New American Bible says: “Some scholars take the call [to be eunuchs for the sake of heaven] to be meant for those who have been divorced by their spouses and who have refused to enter into another marriage” (p. 1041). The view of the Church is that celibacy is a reflection of life in Heaven, a source of detachment from the material world which aids in one's relationship with God. Celibacy is designed to "consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. It is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God."[1] In contrast to this, St Peter, the first apostle called by Jesus (Matthew 4) and considered today the first pope, was married (Matthew 8).

Celibacy was not required of popes, bishops, or priests in the early church. Popes, bishops, and priests married and sired children for over a thousand years after Christ^[16] Celibacy was first written into law for all priests in the 12th century at the First Lateran Council (1123). Because clerics resisted it, the celibacy mandate was restated at the Second Lateran Council (1139) and the Council of Trent (1545–64).^[17] Historically, priestly celibacy became law for all only through coercion and enslavement of clerical wives and children.^[18] “The earliest decree in which the children [of clerics] were declared to be slaves and never to be enfranchised [freed] seems to have been a canon of the Synod of Pavia in 1018. Similar penalties were promulgated against wives and concubines (see the Synod of Melfi, 1189 can. Xii), who by the very fact of their unlawful connexion with a subdeacon or clerk of higher rank became liable to be seized by the over-lord”.^[18]

The early church resisted false asceticism. Scripture reflects the fact that early Christians embraced marriage and yet felt that a false ascetic bias against marriage was seeping into their culture: 1 Timothy 4:1 "In the last times, some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving for those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving. For it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer".^[19] Mandatory celibacy for priests continues to be a contested issue even today.

Usually, only celibate men are ordained as priests in the Latin Rite.^[20][21] More recently, married clergy who have converted from other denominations have been ordained Roman Catholic priests without becoming celibate.^[22] Mandatory priestly celibacy is not a doctrine, or dogma, of the Church (examples of Catholic doctrine would be the principle of the absolute respect for life or the belief in the Assumption and Immaculate Conception) but a church rule or discipline, like the use of the vernacular (local) language in Mass or the ancient rule of Lenten fasting and abstinence.^[23] As such, it can theoretically change at any time though it still must be obeyed by Catholics until the change were to take place. The Eastern Catholic Churches ordain both celibate and married men. However, in both the East and the West, bishops are chosen from among those who are celibate.^[24][25] In Ireland, several priests have maintained "secret" families, the two most prominent being Bishop Eamonn Casey and Father Michael Cleary (priest).

One explanation for the origin of obligatory celibacy is that it is based on Christ's example and on the writings of Paul, who wrote of the advantages celibacy allowed a man in serving the Lord,^[26] Celibacy was popularized by the early Christian theologian Origen and Augustine. Another possible explanation for the origins of obligatory celibacy revolves around more practical reason, "the need to avoid claims on church property by priests' offspring".^[27] It remains a matter of Canon Law (and often a criterion for certain religious orders, especially Franciscans) that priests do not own land and therefore cannot pass it on to legitimate or illegitimate children. The land belongs to the Church through the local diocese as administered by the Local Ordinary, or Bishop.

Brahma Kumaris[link]

In the religious movement of Brahma Kumaris, celibacy is also promoted for peace and to defeat power of lust and to prepare for life in forthcoming Heaven on earth for 2,500 years when children will be created by the power of the mind even for householders to like holy brother and sister.^[28][29]

In this belief system, celibacy is given the utmost importance. It is said that, as per the direction of the Supreme God those lead a pure and celibate life will be successfully able to conquer the surging vices. The power of celibacy creates an unseen environment of divinity bringing peace, power, purity, prosperity and fortune. Those with the power of celibacy are eligible to claim a bright future of Golden Age of heaven / Paradise. Brahma Kumaris' concept of identifying the self as a soul, different from physical body, is deeply linked to the philosophy of celibacy. It is said that the craving for sex and impure thoughts are the reason for the whole trouble in the universe today.

Islamic perspective[link]

Islam does not promote celibacy; rather it condemns premarital sex and extramarital sex . In fact, according to Islam, marriage enables one to attain the highest form of righteousness within this sacred spiritual bond. It disagrees with the concept that marriage acts as a form of distraction in attaining nearness to God. The Qur'an (57:27) states, "But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them but only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right observance."

The following sayings about the Prophet also address celibacy:

"There have been people who have come to the prophet and explained how they love to be engaged in prayer and fasting for the sake of God. The Prophet Mohammed told them that, despite this being good, it is also a blessing to raise a family, to remain moderate and not to concentrate too much on one aspect as not only can this be unhealthy for an individual as well as upon society, it may also take one away from God."

Meher Baba[link]

The spiritual teacher Meher Baba stated that "[F]or the [spiritual] aspirant a life of strict celibacy is preferable to married life, if restraint comes to him easily without undue sense of self-repression. Such restraint is difficult for most persons and sometimes impossible, and for them married life is decidedly more helpful than a life of celibacy. For ordinary persons, married life is undoubtedly advisable unless they have a special aptitude for celibacy"^[30] Baba also asserted that "The value of celibacy lies in the habit of restraint and the sense of detachment and independence which it gives"^[31] and that "The aspirant must choose one of the two courses which are open to him. He must take to the life of celibacy or to the married life, and he must avoid at all costs a cheap compromise between the two. Promiscuity in sex gratification is bound to land the aspirant in a most pitiful and dangerous chaos of ungovernable lust."^[32]

Secular[link]

The earliest roots of celibacy were secular. In the 6th century BC, "Pythagoras himself established a small community that set a premium on study, vegetarianism, and sexual restraint or abstinence. Later philosophers believed that celibacy would be conducive to the detachment and equilibrium required by the philosopher's calling. Similarly, the increasing number of cults—e.g.s, Manichaeans and Gnostics—had an inner circle requiring continence"^[33]

The radical feminist group Cell 16 were strongly championing celibacy as a challenge to male dominance, following in a tradition of celibacy dating back to the early feminists. They advocated women separate from "men who are not consciously working for female liberation", but advised periods of celibacy. There have been activists who have been celibate to devote energy to their cause.

See also[link]

• Abstinence in Judaism
• Antisexualism
• Clerical celibacy
• Involuntary celibacy
• Sexual abstinence
• Virginity

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Biblical foundation of priestly celibacy
• The Reformation view of Celibacy
• HBO documentary film "Celibacy"

Elizabeth Abbott is a Canadian writer and historian. She has a doctorate in 19th-century history from McGill University. She has written numerous books, and has contributed to many publications, including Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, The Gazette (Montreal), Quill & Quire, Huffington Post and London Free Press. She is the former Dean of Women for St. Hilda's College at the University of Toronto and is currently a Senior Research Associate at Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Bibliography[link]

• Tropical Obsession: A Universal Tragedy in Four Acts Set in Haiti 1986.
• Haiti: The Duvaliers and their Legacy 1988.
• A History of Celibacy 1999.
• A History of Mistresses 2003.
• Sugar: A Bittersweet History 2008.
• A History of Marriage 2010.
• "Haiti: A Shattered Nation" 2011.

A History of Mistresses[link]

Elizabeth Abbott's 2003 book examines the large, and often underground history of mistresses. Ranging from Roman Europe to Twentieth Century America, Abbott explores the lives of the 'scarlet women' and the implications of their extramarital relationships.

A History of Marriage[link]

Elizabeth Abbot's third book in her trilogy on the history of relationships examines various rituals of courting, nuptials, marriage, sex, child-raising and divorce. The book was a finalist for the 2010 Governor General’s Literary Award in the category of English non-fiction.^[1]

Haiti: A Shattered Nation[link]

This is an update of her 1988 book, Haiti: The Duvaliers and their Legacy, commissioned after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, for which she added a new introduction and two new chapters. ^[2]

References[link]

1. ^ Canada Council for the Arts, October 13, 2010. [1]
2. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Haiti-Shattered-Nation-Elizabeth-Abbott/dp/1590201418/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334241437&sr=8-6

• Women's spot article on Elizabeth Abbott
• Penguin Publisher's webpage on Elizabeth Abbott

External links[link]

• Elizabeth Abbott's Homepage

Shaun Alexander

Alexander in 2006.
No. 37
Running back
Personal information
Date of birth: (1977-08-30) August 30, 1977 (age 34)
Place of birth: Florence, Kentucky
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College: Alabama
NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
Debuted in 2000 for the Seattle Seahawks
Last played in 2008 for the Washington Redskins
Career history
Seattle Seahawks (2000–2007) Washington Redskins (2008)
Career highlights and awards
3× Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2005) 2× All-Pro selection (2004, 2005) NFC Rushing champion (2004) NFL Rushing champion (2005) AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2005) NFL Alumni Rushing Back of the Year (2005) AP NFL MVP (2005) PFWA NFL MVP (2005) Bert Bell Award (2005) Former Record Holder of NFL Most Single-Season TDs (28 TD in 2005) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary team
Career NFL statistics as of 2008
Rushing yards 9,453 Rushing average 4.3 Rushing TDs 100 Stats at NFL.com

Shaun Edward Alexander (born August 30, 1977) is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Early career[link]

Alexander was born and raised in Florence, Kentucky. His father, Curtis Alexander Jr., works for Morton Salt and his mother Carol works in the truancy department of the Boone County School District.^[1] He has an older brother Durran, and four older half-sisters and three older half-brothers.^[2] His parents divorced when he was 11, and he and Durran were raised by their mother in a two-bedroom apartment in a government housing project.^[2]

He attended Florence Elementary School.^[2] In 1991, he entered Boone County High School. As a freshman, he played football for the junior varsity team and was voted Class President—as he was every year in high school.^[3] As well as football, Alexander excelled in basketball and baseball.^[4]

In his sophomore season, he made the varsity team as the second-string running back. By mid-season, he was the team's featured running back as he rushed for 1,095 yards and fourteen touchdowns. During his junior season in 1994, Alexander ran for 2,396 yards and 42 touchdowns as Boone County made it to the state semifinals. In a game versus Campbell County, Alexander rushed for seven touchdowns. He was listed in "Faces in the Crowd" section of Sports Illustrated in January 1994.^[5]

In 1995, in his senior season, Alexander rushed for 3,166 yards and a state record 54 touchdowns^[6] and was named Kentucky's "Mr. Football".^[7] He also was selected All-American by Parade and USA Today's 1994 All USA team, named "Old Spice Athlete of the Month" by Sports Illustrated, and was known as "Alexander the Great" and had his high school number 37 retired a few weeks before his graduation.^[4] In three varsity seasons, Alexander rushed for 6,657 yards and 110 touchdowns—both of which are Top 10 prep all-time records.

College career[link]

Alexander had narrowed his choices down to University of Michigan, University of Alabama, and University of Notre Dame (where his brother Durran played drums in the marching band).^[8] He ultimately chose Alabama because of the warm-weather and the overall students enthusiasm.^[4]

Following graduation in 1995, Alexander accepted a scholarship from Gene Stallings, the then head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Mike DuBose would replace Stallings in 1997. In his freshman season on campus, Alexander was redshirted.

In 1996, as a redshirt freshman, Alexander rushed for a school-record 291 yards^[9] and four touchdowns in a 26–0 victory over rivals LSU at Tiger Stadium.^[10] He finished the year with 589 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and helped the team to a 10-3 record.^[8]

1997 proved to be tough for both Alexander and the Crimson Tide, as Alexander finished with 415 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while the Tide limped to four victories.^[8]

The following year turned out much better for both, as Alabama improved to 7-5, and Alexander had 18 touchdowns (14 rushing and four receiving) and attained 1,178 yards. He was rewarded with an All-Southeast Conference honors at the end of the season.^[11]

Following his junior season, Alexander decided to return for his senior season rather than leaving early for the NFL. After initially being given Heisman Trophy consideration to start the season,^[12] those hopes would fade as the season progressed and ended with a sprained ankle versus Tennessee. Alexander still played a key role in leading the Tide to the SEC Championship in 1999, with his game-winning 25–yard touchdown run against #3-ranked Florida in overtime. In the fourth quarter of the 1999 Iron Bowl versus rivals Auburn, Alexander led a comeback as he scored three rushing touchdowns in the 28–17 victory, finishing the game with 199 total yards.^[13] He left the school holding 15 records, including 3,565 career rushing yards.^[14]

Professional career[link]

Seattle Seahawks[link]

2000–2004[link]

Alexander was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2000 NFL Draft as the nineteenth overall pick.The Seahawks acquired the pick in the draft following a trade that sent wide receiver Joey Galloway to the Dallas Cowboys.^[15] In his rookie season, Alexander saw limited action behind starter Ricky Watters, rushing for just 313 yards and two touchdowns.

In Alexander's second season in the NFL, he became the Seahawks featured running back, following injuries and eventual retirement of Watters. Alexander rushed for 1,318 yards and fourteen touchdowns, only behind Marshall Faulk for total touchdowns.^[16] The offensive line was led by Pro Bowler Walter Jones and rookie Steve Hutchinson. On ESPN Sunday Night Football on November 11, 2001, versus AFC West rival Oakland Raiders at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Alexander rushed for a franchise record 266 yards on thirty-five carries, including an 88 yard run to the endzone.^[17][18] He was named the AFC Player of the week after his performance against the Raiders.^[18] Following the season, Fox Sports Net hired him to do a variety show called Shaun Alexander Live, aimed to poke fun at Alexander's lack of recognition despite his on-field accomplishments, but it was short lived.^[18]

In 2002, he started all 16 games en route to an NFC leading (and franchise record) 16 rushing touchdowns, four of which came in the first half of Seattle's September 29, 2002 game against the Minnesota Vikings in only the second regular-season game ever at Seahawks Stadium (subsequently renamed Qwest Field) in Seattle. He also caught an 80-yard touchdown pass in the first half. The five touchdowns in that half set an NFL record. This was another ESPN Sunday Night Football game, enhancing Alexander's reputation for performing phenomenally well in high-profile, prime time nationally televised games.

2003 was another productive year for Alexander. He rushed his way to a career high of 1,435 rushing yards and scored 16 touchdowns. Seattle also made its first playoff appearance since 2000. Alexander's success in the 2003 season earned him his first trip to Honolulu for the annual Pro Bowl.

In 2004, Alexander remained one of the key components of Seattle's offense. He finished second in the NFL in rushing yards (with 1,696) to the New York Jets' Curtis Martin by a single yard. After being passed over for a late game rushing attempt during his team's victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Alexander accused his coach Mike Holmgren of "stabbing him in the back" by denying him an opportunity to win the rushing title. Alexander retracted his comments the following day and expressed support for his coach.

2005 season[link]

Alexander had a great deal of success in the 2005 season. In the first game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he rushed for 73 yards. Other highlights include an 88-yard touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals on November 6, 2005, and rushing for 165 yards against the St. Louis Rams on November 13, 2005. Also, he had two 4 touchdown games, against Arizona on September 25, 2005, and against the Houston Texans on October 16, 2005. He led the NFL in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, Pro Bowl votes, and points.

During the 2005 season he broke the franchise record for the most rushing yards in the Seattle Seahawks' history. On November 13, 2005, scoring 3 touchdowns, Alexander became the first running back in NFL history to record 15 or more touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. On November 20, 2005, in San Francisco, Alexander became the first player in NFL history to score 19 rushing or receiving TDs in only 10 games (Steve Van Buren had 18 in 1945). This feat eventually led to him breaking Priest Holmes record of 27 total touchdowns set in 2003, and his 27 rushing touchdowns also tied Holmes for the most in a single season (the record was again broken a year later by LaDanian Tomlinson).

On December 11, 2005, in Seattle's NFC West-clinching victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Alexander had his 9th 100–yard rushing game of the year, breaking Chris Warren's franchise record of eight 100–yard games. In the process he also set a more significant NFL record, running for 100 yards against divisional opponents in nine straight games, a record previously held by Walter Payton. On December 18, 2005, in a game against the Tennessee Titans, Alexander passed the 1,600 yard mark for the second consecutive season, had a Seahawks franchise record 10th 100 yard rushing game, and scored his 24th rushing touchdown of the year (as well as the 86th of his career, tying him with Priest Holmes at 12th on the all-time rushing touchdown leader list).^[19] Perhaps more substantial is that his 96th career touchdown moved him into an 18th place tie with Randy Moss and Eric Dickerson on the all-time touchdown leader list,^[20] having already bumped Priest Holmes (94 TDs) into 21st. Alexander also became the first Seahawks player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

In the 2005 season, Alexander broke out by setting several records and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player en route to a Super Bowl XL appearance with the Seahawks.

On January 1, 2006, in a game versus the Green Bay Packers, Alexander set the single season touchdown record at 28, and tied Priest Holmes's record of 27 rushing touchdowns in a season. Alexander also won his first NFL rushing title with 1,880 rushing yards. In 2005, he joined Emmitt Smith, Priest Holmes, and Marshall Faulk as the only running backs to record consecutive seasons of 20 or more touchdowns.

Four days later, on January 5, he was awarded with the 2005 NFL MVP Award, becoming the first Seahawk to win the MVP award in franchise history. He beat out New York Giants running back Tiki Barber and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning who had won the award the previous two years. Alexander garnered 19 out of a possible 50 votes. A day after receiving the MVP award, Alexander was named Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. He received 34 votes of a panel of 50 NFL sportwriters and broadcasters. He was also named the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year. At the ESPY Awards Alexander received two awards, Best Record Breaking Performance and Best NFL Player.

In the 2006 Divisional playoff game against the Washington Redskins Alexander suffered a concussion early on and had to watch the rest of the game, a Seahawks win, from the sidelines. However, in the NFC Championship Game against the Carolina Panthers he had 34 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns, which was easily the best playoff performance of his career.

Shaun Alexander and the Seahawks lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006. Alexander was, however, the leading rusher of the game with 95 yards. At the end of the season, he was selected to be the cover athlete of Madden NFL 2007. Alexander was the first player to be featured on both the covers of Madden NFL and NCAA Football. He was also the only one with this accomplishment up until Larry Fitzgerald was selected to appear on Madden NFL 10.^[21]

Alexander's MVP season was celebrated musically by Dustin Blatnik and the 12th Man Band in the song "Sweet Shaun Alexander", a parody of Lynyrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama". Sweet Shaun was widely aired in the Seattle area in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl XL, plus national play on ESPN Radio and other outlets. The song was decried in Sports Illustrated magazine, calling this parody "the sacrilege with cheese".

2006 season[link]

In March 2006, Alexander signed an eight-year, $62 million contract (15.1 million of which was guaranteed and 15 million to be paid in the first year of the contract) to remain with the Seattle Seahawks organization,^[22] becoming the highest paid running back in NFL history at the time.^[23] However, the Seahawks All-Pro offensive guard Steve Hutchinson left to go to the Minnesota Vikings several weeks later due to free agency,^[24] weakening an offensive line that had been a large part of Alexander's 2005 productivity.^[25]

Alexander's success in the previous season led to his being featured on the cover of Madden NFL 07,^[26] making him the first player to appear on the covers of both EA Sports football titles—previously appearing on NCAA Football 2001.^[27] Alexander broke his left foot in week 3 of the season, effectively continuing the Madden Curse.^[28] However, in the same game, Alexander set a team record while scoring his 102nd touchdown of his career, breaking Steve Largent's record.^[29] He returned to action on November 19 against the San Francisco 49ers, rushing 17 times for 37 yards.^[30] In a November 27 game on ESPN's Monday Night Football against the Packers, Alexander carried the ball a team record 40 times for 201 yards in a game that featured snow for the first time at Qwest Field. It was a return to MVP form and yet another prime-time showcase for Alexander, who was still playing with the broken foot.In a December 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Alexander broke Barry Sanders's record for most consecutive games with a run of 10 or more yards.^[27]

Alexander finished the 2006 season with 252 rushing attempts for 896 yards and seven touchdowns in ten games.

2007 season[link]

During Week 1's game against Tampa Bay, Alexander sustained a fractured left wrist. He indicated that the injury was not major and that he would continue to play, but his performance took a noticeable turn for the worse. During Week 5, Alexander's lead blocker, Mack Strong, was injured with a herniated disk in his neck, forcing him to retire; he was replaced by Leonard Weaver. This left Alexander even more exposed and as a result, injuries continued to plague him. In week 9, he sprained both his knee and ankle. Even so, in the final game of the regular season, Alexander was able to become the eighth player in NFL history to score 100 rushing touchdowns.

Alexander's final regular season statistics for 2007 were 716 yards rushing on 207 attempts, a 3.5–yard per carry with four touchdowns in 10 games. He added 14 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown to his rushing totals. After a January 12, 2008 playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in which Alexander recorded only 20 yards on 9 carries and scored just one touchdown, the Seahawks opted to cut Alexander from the team on April 22, 2008.^[31][32]

Washington Redskins[link]

2008 season[link]

After his release, Alexander visited several teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions^[33] but was not able to come to terms on a contract until he visited the Washington Redskins. On October 14, 2008, the team signed Alexander^[34] to fill the void left when back-up running back Ladell Betts went down with a knee injury.^[35] However, the Redskins released Shaun on November 25, 2008 after he logged only 11 carries in 4 games and only 2.2 Yards Per Carry.^[36][37]

Current status[link]

Alexander remained unsigned for the rest of the 2008 season. In August 2009, Alexander expressed an interest in returning to the NFL, stating that four teams had called, but none had offered contracts: "My training has gone up to a level where I'm as strong and explosive as I've ever been right now," he said. "I feel with the right team and right situation I could really help somebody. One thing I've done since I was a little kid was score touchdowns. So if somebody needs somebody to get in the red zone and do some work, I could probably do that again."^[38] However, he has yet to return to the NFL.

Career statistics[link]

College[link]

NFL[link]

Personal[link]

Alexander married Valerie Alexander (née Boyd) in April 2002 after a two-year courtship. Together, the couple have three daughters and a son: Heaven (b. September 21, 2003^[39]), Trinity (b. July 28, 2005^[40]), Eden, and Joseph.^[41][42] His older brother by one year Durran serves as executive director of the Shaun Alexander Foundation.^[2]

A born-again Christian,^[43] Alexander and his wife are very outspoken about their faith and are regular attendees at Federal Way's Christian Faith Center.^[44] Firm supporters of abstinence and sexual purity, Shaun and Valerie both were virgins when they married.^[45] Alexander has discussed the issue publicly on many occasions, including in his book Touchdown Alexander.

Alexander has graced the cover of Madden 2007 and NCAA Football 2001. This makes him the first of two people (along with Larry Fitzgerald) in the history of the EA Sports American Football games to appear on two different covers.

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Alexander, Shaun; Cecil Murphey (2006). Touchdown Alexander: My Story of Faith, Football, and Pursuing the Dream. Harvest House. ISBN 0-7369-1937-6. 
• Smithwick, John (2007). Meet Shaun Alexander: Football's Top Running Back. Powerkids Press. ISBN 1-4042-3635-X. 
• Scott, Richard; Jay Barker (2004). Legends of Alabama Football. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 1-58261-277-3. 

External links[link]

• Official Website
• Seattle Seahawks bio
• Washington Redskins bio
• Shaun Alexander on Weplay

Anthony "Tony" Rock (born June 30, 1974^[1][2]) is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is the younger brother of comedian Chris Rock.

In the early 2000s, Rock hosted a short-lived game show entitled Can You Tell? for Oprah Winfrey's Oh! Oxygen network. He was also a correspondent for BattleBots on Comedy Central for the show's fifth season.

Tony has made many guest appearances, including The Howard Stern Show and "The D'Angelo Show". He performed in New York with Mark Curry and John Henton to highlight the Apollo Theater. He co-starred as Dirk Black on the UPN/CW sitcom All of Us. Tony has worked as a back-up to his brother, Chris, and has appeared in his sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, in the recurring role of the title character's uncle Ryan. Tony has hosted The Funny Spot on TV One.

Tony Rock has his own TV series, a sketch comedy show called The Tony Rock Project. It is broadcast on MyNetworkTV.^[3]

Beginning February 19, 2010 Comedy Central has aired Tony Rock's feature on Season 14 of "Comedy Central Presents". His episode was the first original of the 2010 season.^[4]

CENTRIC will soon announce its new series APOLLO LIVE, to be hosted by comedian Tony Rock and executive produced by veteran funnyman Jamie Foxx as well as Marcus King and Don Weiner who all put a fresh spin on the classic variety show “Amateur Night” at Harlem’s iconic venue.

Personal life[link]

Tony Rock is one of eight siblings, born to Rosalie Rock^[2] and Julius Rock. He grew up on Decatur Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of New York City.^[2]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tony Rock at the Internet Movie Database
• Tony Rock's biography on filmbug
• Official website
• Rock the World Inc. website
• [1]

Wesley Jonathan Waples (born October 18, 1978), known professionally as Wesley Jonathan, is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as Jamal Grant on the NBC Saturday morning dramedy series City Guys, the dim-witted Gary Thorpe on The WB sitcom What I Like About You, Sweetness in the 2005 film, Roll Bounce, and as Noah Cruise in the 2006 basketball film, Crossover.

Career[link]

Jonathan started acting as a child actor in the early 1990s and has had two main roles in two series; City Guys as Jamal Grant, and What I Like About You opposite Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth as Holly's dim-witted best friend, Gary Thorpe. Jonathan landed his first job in a music video for Melissa Manchester. He then started working on 21 Jump Street.

Jonathan has starred, co-starred, or made guest appearances in several movies and television shows including: Sister, Sister, Moesha, Boy Meets World, Smart Guy, Thea, Baywatch, A Different World, Boston Public, Crossover, Divine Intervention, Roll Bounce, and the 2009 film Speed-Dating.^[1]

Advertising[link]

Jonathan starred in a 2010 Miller Lite commercial, In 1994, he appeared in Sunny Delight commercial. Prior to the final season of City Guys as his first role of Jamal Grant, Jonathan appeared the Truth commercial in 2001 in which he played a host on Soul Train.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Jonathan was romantically involved with actress Denyce Lawton from 2006-2009.

Filmography and television episodes[link]

• What You Need-The Weeknd(Music Video)
• The Lebrons (TV series) as Kid (2011–present)
• 90210 (2011)
• Speed-Dating as Too Cool (2010)
• B-Girl (2009)
• Cold Case (1 episode) (2009)
• Steppin: The Movie (2009)
• Footlocker commercials
• CSI: Miami (1 episode) (2008)
• NCIS (2008)
• Divine Intervention as Rev. Robert Gibbs (2007)
• The Beautiful Ordinary (completed) (2007)
• Cuttin' Da Mustard (in production) as Tyree (2007)
• Crossover as Noah Cruise (2006)
• What I Like About You as Gary Thorpe (2002–2006)
• Roll Bounce as Sweetness (2005)
• The United States of Leland as Bengel (2004)
• Greetings from Tucson as Saul (2 episodes) (2003)
• Storm Watch as Ravi (2002)
• Scream at the Sound of the Beep as Arsenio (2002)
• City Guys as Jamal Grant (1997–2001)
• Felicity as Max (1 episode) (2001)
• Judging Amy (1 episode) (2001)
• Boston Public as Tyronn Anderson he died (2 episodes) (2001)
• USA High as Anthony (1 episode) (1998)
• NYPD Blue as Orlando (1 episode) (1998)
• The Parent Hood (1 episode) (1998)
• Smart Guy as Tyler (5th episode) (1997)
• The Practice as David Piper (1 episode) (1997)
• Sister, Sister as Charles, Michael and Pico (1994–1996)
• NewsRadio as Kid #1 (1 episode) (1996)
• Promised Land as Brandon (1 episode) (1996)
• Minor Adjustments as Henry Harrison (3 episodes) (1996)
• Moesha as Norman (1 episode) (1996)
• Panther as Little Bobby (1995)
• Boy Meets World as T.J. (1 episode) (1995)
• Misery Loves Company as Conner (1995)
• Thea as Riddick (3 episodes) (1993–1994)
• A Different World as a kid (1992)
• Baywatch as Jordan (2 episodes) (1991)
• Get a Life as Eddie (4 episodes) (1990–1991)
• 21 Jump Street as Kelly (1 episode) (1990)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Wesley Jonathan at the Internet Movie Database
• Wesley Jonathan's Official MySpace Page