Eric Alexander moved from Tyler, Texas, with his family to Port Arthur in 1995. Alexander attended Stephen F. Austin High in Port Acres, Texas, where he played football as a running back and safety while also participating in baseball and track and field. He was twice named a member of The Port Arthur News Super Team and was an honorable All-State mention before graduating in 2000.
 
Eric enrolled at Louisiana State University on a football scholarship.  In his first three seasons with the team, he was a backup safety and special-teams contributor. Alexander moved to linebacker before his senior season in 2003 and recorded 65 tackles and five sacks. Alexander was an important member of the defense that led the LSU Tigers to a 12-1 record and a birth in the BCS Championship game. With a win over the number 3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners, LSU won the national title for the first time since 1958.

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Undrafted, Alexander signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots. He played as a linebacker and on special teams for the New England Patriots primarily in 2006, 2007, and 2009 before retiring in 2011.  He is a member of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Sports Hall of Fame.