Seahawks release running back Alexander

SEATTLE (Reuters) - The Seattle Seahawks have released former-MVP running back Shaun Alexander, the NFL team said on Tuesday.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Alexander was named league MVP in 2005 after scoring a then NFL record 28 touchdowns and helping lead the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance.

That same season, Alexander captured the league rushing title with a franchise-record 1,880 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

"This was an extremely difficult decision," Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell said on the team Web site (http://www.seahawks.com).

"We thank Shaun for his commitment both on and off the field over the last eight years. He played a huge role in the renaissance of football in Seattle and for that we will always be grateful."

Over the last two seasons, Alexander had been hampered by injuries, missing six games in 2006 with a broken foot and rushing for just 716 yards in 13 appearances last year.

The 19th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, the 30-year-old Alexander has spent his entire career in Seattle and leaves the Seahawks as the team's all-time rushing leader with 9,429 yards.

He owns or shares at least 37 franchise single-game, single-season and career records while his 100 rushing touchdowns are tied with Marshall Faulk for seventh most in the

NFL.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by John O'Brien)