Jay Alford

Infobox NFLactive


|width=200
caption=Jay Alford signing autographs at Penn State's Beaver Stadium.
Source=self-made
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=93
currentposition=Defensive tackle
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|5|28
birthplace=Orange, New Jersey
country=USA
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=304
debutyear=2007
debutteam=New York Giants
highlights=
* 2x All-Big Ten (2005 & 2006)
* 2006 Jim O’Hora Award Winner
* Super Bowl XLII champion
college=Penn State
draftyear=2007
draftround=3
draftpick=81
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2007-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=1
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=1.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=0
nfl=ALF474006
pfr=
cbs=405406
espn=
si

Jason Jamaal Alford (born May 28, 1983 in Orange, New Jersey) is a professional American football player, playing defensive tackle for the New York Giants in the National Football League. He was selected from Penn State in the 2007 NFL Draft in the 3rd round (81st overall).

In 2007, Alford served as the Giant's long snapper during field goal attempts, due to a season-ending injury to Ryan Kuehl. [ [http://giants.scout.com/2/673117.html Scout.com: Strahan Decision Forthcoming ] ]

Penn State

Alford was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions. He was an All-Big Ten selection as a junior and senior. Alford finished his senior season with 32 tackles and 8 sacks. Alford earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts from Penn State in 2006. He was selected for Penn State's Jim O’Hora Award which honors the defense’s most improved player each season.

New York Giants

His young career with the Giants is best known for a devastating sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII. With less than one minute remaining in the game and the New England Patriots down 17-14 with possession of the ball, Alford sacked Brady resulting in a 3rd and 20 situation. The Giants went on to shock the previously undefeated Patriots 17-14 in one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history.

His first two NFL tackles were sacks.

Personal

Alford was born in Orange, New Jersey and raised by his grandmother. [ [http://giants.scout.com/2/639880.html Scout.com: Alford Meets the Media ] ] He was a standout player at Orange High School, where he was named All-State, a U.S. Army All-American, and was listed among the G&W Recruiting Report Top 50 defensive players in the nation. Alford also was named to the Prep Star Dream Team. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player.asp?player_id=300 Player - Jay Alford - Giants.com ] ] On February 29, 2008, Alford was awarded the City of Orange Township's Key to the City. [ [http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2008/02/orange_embraces_alford_its_ny.html Orange embraces Alford, its NY Giant - New York Giants Football & NFL Super Bowl News - NJ.com ] ]

References

External links

* [http://giants.scout.com/2/639880.html "Alford Meets the Media"] , "The Giants Insider", April 29, 2007