Shaun Alexander Was the 24-Year-Old Virgin

This information isn't really new, I guess, but it's new to me so I thought I'd share. Shaun Alexander has written an autobiography, and this review notes something interesting:

Alexander says he was a virgin until he married Valerie Boyd in 2002 and that they never even kissed until they stood at the altar and directed to do so by the pastor. He was 24 years old.

I have to say, I find the part about not even kissing his wife until their wedding a lot more surprising than the part about a star athlete getting to the age of 24 without having sex, although I find that part pretty surprising, too.

But Alexander has been very open about his beliefs that sex before marriage is wrong. He told Howard Stern about his beliefs last year, while also saying he'd be OK with a gay player in the locker room, even though he didn't think "it was right." And he apparently believes God told him via a series of sexual dreams that he should maintain his vow of abstinence.

Here's a picture of Alexander's wife in a bikini. I think most guys would consider her worth the wait.

If you like this kind of story, check out the NFL Gossip section of the FanHouse.

Hat tip: Pro Football Talk.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

3-12-2007 @ 1:12PM

atlantic city said...

A football star and a virgin until 24? Those 2 things just don't seem to go together.

3-12-2007 @ 6:03PM

willbone said...

A.C. Green I believe, but come on, part of the game of football is gettin some butt right?

3-14-2007 @ 3:14PM

Carl said...

Hay a really good N.F.L. player that has a great outlook on the gam and on life. Shuan just go around and touch as many players on all the teams. Maybe some of the morons playing today will be turned around and stop being punks. And I wish there was a way to put a black line under the word punks.And for all the punks that take exception to this statment, what you do affects your kids first, so don't cry when your kids end up in prison. As for shaun Alexander I hope you live a hundred years With health and prosperity. The hundred years unfortunity might not be enough time for some of the Morons.

3-12-2007 @ 9:15PM

Chris said...

This took guts for Shane Alexander to reveal especially in a world where premarital sex is the norm rather than the exception. I look up to him for standing firm in his faith and beliefs. He is a great example on and off the field.

3-12-2007 @ 9:37PM

sara said...

good thinkin man..u think like a muslim..marriage b 4 sex is wrong fo sho..

3-12-2007 @ 10:59PM

Leslie E said...

As the mom of two boys who are HUGE NFL fans,
THANK YOU Shaun! Finally, a NFL player who is as awesome off the field as he is on the field. My guys love you and so do I. Thanks for giving my sons someone on the field to look UP to.

3-12-2007 @ 9:58PM

j. dunfee said...

I don't know why everyone cares. It is not their business. I for one think it is great that he has stuck to what he believes in. We seem to be getting further and further away from God these days and it is refreshing to hear about this young man.

3-12-2007 @ 10:48PM

Harvey said...

I admire Shane for his believe that sex before marriage is wrong. He must have had parents with strong moral and ethics that passed them down to him. What is wrong with someone (even a sports star) to wait for marriage until sex.I waited for marriage before having sex and I was older than him. If more people did that we wouldn't have an over-populated world where so many children are not wanted.

3-12-2007 @ 11:11PM

Amanda said...

i commend his courage. you hear all the time how most athletes are known womanizers and how they can "get any woman they please" but it's not everyday you hear something that's not foul. bravo, mr. alexander.

3-13-2007 @ 4:18PM

karen sherman said...

Thank you!!!!Shaun you just set the bar for others to follow!!!

3-13-2007 @ 1:44AM

tedfio said...

Well done good and faithful servant.

3-13-2007 @ 6:31AM

Bobby said...

24 years old and was a virgin until marriage is a very commendable thing in this day and age. Especially with all the temptations that this man has had to endure. I am no false prophet....but I predict that HIS marriage will outlast his carreer.

3-13-2007 @ 7:44AM

MirageMike said...

'bout time there is a breath of fresh air. I'm now a bigger fan of Shaun Alexander. He's different from all of those cookie cutter thugs and I'm growing awful weary of that.

3-13-2007 @ 7:49AM

Lorenzo in Bronx, NY said...

WOW, I am so very very impressed by this revelation of information. Not only is this of a private nature but it is different and off the beaten path of many celebrities and sports figures. A man with a conviction that is stronger than the locker room pressure. Shaun Alexander is an example that other sports figures need to follow and that young boys who do not have a male figure in their home can look up to. I am a firm believer that there are probably many other sports figures who feel the same way that Shaun Alexander feels but just cannot withstand the locker room peer pressure. In addition celebrities, particularly sports figures are known womanizers. A man who holds his convictions nearer to him than his need to fit in by how many women he has conquered is quite admirable. I commend Shaun ALexander on his opting to remain virtuous until marriage. The fact that he did not even kiss his wife until the day that they got married definitely sent a clear and unmistakeable message. I only hope that other NFL sports figures will get that message and begin to change their womanizing ways. Go Shaun Alexander. You are the NEW standard to be met and lived up to.

3-13-2007 @ 7:57AM

Roger Manley said...

what a very smart man

3-13-2007 @ 8:05AM

George from Los Angeles,CA. said...

I don't know how many other professional athletes are virgins. I already know about A.C. Green and I know about Shaun Alexander. I am virgin. I have not been engaged,I have not been married, I also don't have a girlfriend. I am 40. And I have not found the right woman to lose my virginty to until I will find the right woman.

3-13-2007 @ 8:13AM

Jeff S. said...

I find being 24 and also a virgin very admirable these days. I'm 24 and I haven't been a virgin for a long time. My brother is 21 and he is proud of his virginity. We're trying to teach abstinance as the ultimate safe sex, but we gasp in disbelief when someone lives up to it. We need more POSITIVE role models like Shaun Alexander.

3-13-2007 @ 8:19AM

br54knight said...

I think what Shaun did is admirable, especially in this day & age but, I have a pessimistic question -- was his wife Valerie a virgin when they married?

3-13-2007 @ 8:24AM

Roger Cullis said...

I applaud Shaun Alexander for sticking to his beliefs. In the testosterone-filled, peer pressure laden world of a pro sports locker room, it is tough for an individual to not only stick to his vow of abstinence but to openly speak about it. Cheers to Shaun.

BTW, you should also see former Bears, Panthers, and Falcons fullback, Bob Christian. He stuck to his vow abstinence into his 30's when he finally married. He too is a great role model for young fans. He talks the talk and walks the walk while quietly being a very good player and paving the way for Jamal Anderson to his 2000+ yard season and helping the Falcons make it to the Super Bowl.