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Alex Anzalone

Alex Anzalone is an American football outside linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 22, 1994, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, he played college football for the Florida Gators at the University of Florida. Anzalone was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round (76th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Anzalone spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Saints, appearing in 38 games and recording 123 combined tackles while battling multiple injuries that limited his playing time. In 2021, he signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent on a one-year deal, starting 14 games and posting 78 tackles in his debut season with the team. He re-signed with the Lions on a three-year extension in 2023, solidifying his role in the defense. Since joining the Lions, Anzalone has emerged as a of the unit, achieving career highs with 125 total tackles and seven tackles for loss in 2022, followed by 129 tackles and three sacks in 2023. Through the 2025 season, he has accumulated 575 career tackles, 12 sacks, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries over 105 games (as of Week 10). In September 2025, Anzalone was named one of the Lions' team captains for the season.

Early life and education

Early life

Alex Anzalone was born on September 22, 1994, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a tight-knit family of Italian heritage in the suburban community of Wyomissing, where his father, Sal Anzalone, worked as a pediatrician after graduating from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1986. His mother, Judy Anzalone, supported the family, which emphasized values of hard work and education, with Sal being the first in his lineage to attend college. From an early age, Anzalone displayed a passion for , particularly , influenced by his suburban upbringing and family environment that encouraged athletic pursuits. By and , he was obsessed with watching sports on television, fostering an early enthusiasm that extended to participating in local youth leagues. These experiences allowed him to build foundational skills and bonds with peers who would later become high school teammates. Raised in a Christian household—specifically Catholic—Anzalone's cultural and familial background provided a supportive structure that nurtured his development as a young athlete, blending discipline from his professional father's routine with community-oriented values. His father's connection to the further sparked Anzalone's early fandom for , shaping his aspirations amid this stable, sports-loving home.

High school career

Anzalone attended in , where he emerged as a standout on the football team, primarily as an outside linebacker on defense and a on offense. During his sophomore year, he recorded 85 tackles, including five sacks and two interceptions, contributing to the Spartans' strong defensive showings. As a junior, Anzalone earned first-team all-state, all-region, and all-county honors while rushing for over 900 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and speed. In his senior season of 2012, Anzalone delivered a dominant performance, tallying 112 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles on defense, while exploding offensively with 1,442 rushing yards on 165 carries and 30 touchdowns. His efforts helped lead Wyomissing to a perfect 16-0 record and the school's first PIAA Class 2A state championship, a 28-14 victory over Aliquippa in the title game. For his defensive prowess, he was named the 2012 Small School Defensive Player of the Year by Eastern Pennsylvania Football and selected to play in the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game. Anzalone's high school success drew widespread recruitment interest from top programs, including offers from Ohio State, Penn State, , and others. He initially committed to in July 2012 following a standout performance at Nike's The Opening camp, choosing the over finalists Penn State and . However, he decommitted and flipped his commitment to in 2013, signing with the Gators shortly thereafter. Academically, Anzalone maintained strong standing, ranking 17th out of 178 students in his junior class, and he also competed in , enhancing his athletic profile for recruiters.

College career

Anzalone initially committed to but flipped his commitment to the in January 2013, enrolling early as a highly touted five-star recruit. As a true freshman in 2013, he saw limited action due to a requiring shortly after arrival, recording just 2 tackles in 5 games while primarily contributing on special teams. In his sophomore year of 2014, Anzalone transitioned to a backup linebacker role and special teams starter, appearing in all 12 games and tallying 14 tackles with 1 tackle for loss. Anzalone's junior season in 2015 was marred by recurring shoulder issues, including complications from a torn labrum; he started the first two games before sustaining another injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year, limiting him to 8 tackles. Chronic shoulder problems, which included multiple dislocations and surgeries across his career, significantly restricted his playing time in three of four seasons. As a senior in 2016 under head coach Jim McElwain, Anzalone emerged as a starter and defensive leader, anchoring Florida's top-ranked defense early in the season with 53 tackles (third on the team), 3 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries in 8 games before a broken left forearm ended his year. His versatility in defensive schemes, including coverage and pass rushing, highlighted his contributions to the Gators' aggressive front seven. Over his four-year college career, Anzalone appeared in 32 games with 10 starts, accumulating 75 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery, with no interceptions recorded. Despite persistent injuries, he demonstrated resilience and leadership, earning recognition for his role in bolstering Florida's defense. Anzalone graduated from the in August 2016 with a degree in before declaring for the .

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

Anzalone was selected by the in the third round, 76th overall, of the out of the . He signed a four-year contract worth $3,465,592, including an $864,592 , which positioned him as a developmental outside linebacker in the Saints' defensive scheme. His college history of shoulder issues foreshadowed challenges in the pros, contributing to cautious integration into the lineup. In his season of , Anzalone earned a starting role at outside linebacker, appearing in the first four games and recording 16 total tackles (11 solo) along with one . However, he suffered a right during a diving tackle in Week 4 against the , leading to his placement on injured reserve on October 4 and limiting his debut year to just 158 defensive snaps and 28 special teams plays. This setback hindered his early development, forcing reliance on veteran linebackers like Craig Robertson to fill the middle linebacker void temporarily. Anzalone rebounded in 2018 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, playing all 16 games with seven starts and transitioning more prominently into defensive rotations after initial special teams duties. He tallied 59 total tackles (45 solo), two sacks, one , and two passes defended, including a notable pick-six potential in a key divisional matchup that highlighted his coverage skills. His performance earned praise from for versatility in run defense and , though he remained a rotational player behind established starters like . The 2019 season brought further injury woes, as Anzalone appeared in only two games, logging seven total tackles and one before a in Week 2 against the sidelined him for surgery and the remainder of the year. Placed on injured reserve on September 16, the issue echoed his setback and restricted him to 18 defensive snaps and five on special teams, stalling his progression toward a full-time starting role. By 2020, Anzalone achieved a career-high in production, starting nine of 16 games and recording 41 total tackles (22 solo) while contributing on special teams during a midseason adjustment period. Despite a brief shift to special teams snaps in following discussions with Payton about refining his technique, he solidified his spot in the linebacker rotation, aiding the Saints' top-ranked defense in points allowed. Over his four seasons with the from 2017 to 2020, Anzalone amassed 123 total tackles, four sacks, one , and three passes defended across 38 games (20 starts), often rotating in a scheme emphasizing multiple linebacker alignments. Persistent injuries in 2017 and 2019 significantly impacted his development, limiting consistent snaps and delaying his evolution from a special teams contributor to a core defensive piece under Payton's oversight.

Detroit Lions

Anzalone signed with the as an unrestricted on March 24, 2021, agreeing to a one-year valued at $1.75 million. In his debut season, he started all 14 games he appeared in, registering 78 total tackles (49 solo), 1 sack, and 7 pass deflections while adapting to Glenn's scheme. He re-signed with on another one-year deal in March 2022. The 2022 campaign marked a breakout for Anzalone, as he played and started all 17 games, leading the team with 125 total tackles (77 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 6 pass deflections, solidifying his role as an every-down linebacker. On , , he agreed to a three-year extension worth $18.75 million, including $9 million in guarantees, securing his future with the franchise through 2025. That year, Anzalone started 16 games and paced the Lions' defense with 129 total tackles (85 solo)—a career high—along with 3 sacks and 6 pass deflections, anchoring the unit during Detroit's division title win and playoff run to the , where they fell to the . In 2024, Anzalone started the first 10 games, notching 63 total tackles (43 solo) and 1 before fracturing his left forearm in Week 11 against the , an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the and required with a metal plate. Despite his absence, the Lions posted a franchise-record 15-2 and advanced to the divisional , where they lost to the ; Anzalone earned alternate honors for his contributions. Entering 2025 as the final year of his extension—with his base salary adjusted upward by $250,000 to $6.25 million—Anzalone was selected as a for the fifth straight season, reflecting his vocal leadership in Dan Campbell's aggressive scheme. As of November 18, 2025, having fully recovered from the forearm injury, he has started all 10 games, tallying 57 total tackles (33 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 , and 4 pass deflections while helping the 6-4 Lions remain in contention. Since joining , Anzalone has revitalized his career after an injury-riddled stint with the , emerging as a durable mainstay with 452 total tackles (287 solo), 8 sacks, and consistent coverage skills over 67 games (all starts). His tenacity and on-field communication have been integral to the Lions' defensive resurgence, including back-to-back division crowns and three consecutive playoff berths.

Personal life

Family

Alex Anzalone met his future wife, Lindsey Cooper, while both were students at the around 2013; she was a member of the women's soccer team during her time there. The couple became engaged during a summer vacation in Turks & Caicos in 2018 and married on June 22, 2019, at Harborside Chapel in Safety Harbor, Florida. Anzalone and Lindsey welcomed their first child, son Cooper, in January 2021, during the height of the , which required extra precautions for the birth. Their second child, daughter Carter Nicole, arrived in December 2023. In June 2025, Anzalone and his wife announced they are expecting their third child, a daughter. The Anzalones frequently share glimpses of their family life through social media posts, highlighting milestones and everyday moments. Lindsey has provided steadfast support during Anzalone's career transitions, including the family's relocation from to in July 2022 ahead of his second with the Lions, just after Cooper's first . In October 2023, Anzalone's parents faced a harrowing experience while on a church trip in when the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted; they were safely evacuated and returned home to the shortly after, reuniting with their son at a Lions game.

Faith and interests

Alex Anzalone is a devout Christian whose has been a of his personal growth and public expressions. He has openly credited his belief in for providing strength during challenging times, such as his from injuries that sidelined him during the . In a January 2025 interview, Anzalone emphasized "God is good" following his return to the lineup, which contributed to the securing the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed. His deepened during , where he began developing a personal relationship with , and has since grown through his , which he describes as a partnership rooted in mutual support and spiritual alignment. Anzalone has discussed how this faith helped him navigate painful moments, including multiple injuries, by trusting in a divine plan that fosters resilience and humility. Anzalone frequently shares insights into his through media appearances and podcasts. On the Sports Spectrum Podcast in June 2024, he explored how his Christian beliefs influence his approach to family life and professional setbacks, highlighting God's role in sustaining him through adversity. In December 2024, he appeared on the Football Podcast to discuss his career trajectory and injury recovery, underscoring the mental fortitude derived from his spiritual convictions. Earlier that year, in October 2024, Anzalone joined to reflect on the Lions' season, weaving in themes of tied to his faith. These platforms allow him to articulate how his beliefs provide a calming presence amid the high-stakes world of professional football. Beyond , Anzalone's personal interests emphasize relational depth and . He has highlighted the at the of his as a key source of joy and stability, noting that this bond, built on genuine companionship, has strengthened his overall well-being. In the ' Under the Helmet series in January 2025, Anzalone shared reflections on his life's journey, including how fitness routines and family-oriented pursuits keep him grounded outside of . His hobbies extend to motivational talks, where he draws from personal experiences to inspire others on themes of and . Anzalone's community involvement reflects his faith-driven commitment to service, though it remains focused on targeted team and local efforts. In November 2023, he volunteered with Forgotten Harvest in to combat food insecurity, distributing meals to those in need. Earlier, during his time with the in 2019, he assisted Animal Rescue New Orleans by promoting shelter adoptions. Through the Athletes for Hope CHAMPS program, Anzalone has promoted youth leadership, fitness, and awareness, motivated by a desire to give back in ways that align with his of and support. These activities underscore his belief in using his platform for positive impact without affiliation to specific large-scale charities.

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