Alford attended Orange High School about 30 minutes from Giants Stadium. He was a three-year starter who was selected First-team All-State, U.S. Army All-American and was listed among the G&W Recruiting Report Top 50 defensive players in the nation.
College career
Alford was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions. He played in 46 games with 41 starts for the Nittany Lions and recorded 118 tackles, 32 tackles for losses and 19sacks. He also recovered four fumbles, forced three fumbles, deflected 12 passes and registered three quarterback pressures. He was named Third-team All-America selection by the Associated Press and was All-Big Ten selection as a junior and senior. Alford finished his senior season with 32 tackles and eight 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.
Alford's most memorable moment with the Giants was 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 the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. As a rookie in 2007, Alford played in all 16 regular season games and all 4 postseason games. He was the snapper for field goals and extra points all season. He finished with 8 tackles, 1 sack, 5 QB hurries and 2 QB hits. In 2008, he played in all 16 regular season games with 3 starts and played in the NFC Divisional Playoff game vs. Philadelphia. He finished with 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for losses, 4 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 1 pass defensed. Alford missed the 2009 NFL season after he tore his MCL and partially tore his ACL in the preseason. He was waived on September 4, 2010. On September 8, 2010, Alford signed with the Oakland Raiders. He was waived on October 6. He then spent the following offseason with the Seattle Seahawks, but did not make the final roster.
Alford signed with the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL. It was the Destroyers' inaugural season in the UFL, and Alford helped lead them to a victory in the 2011 UFL Championship Game over the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Locos. The win gives Alford a championship in both the NFL and UFL.
Alford signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League on June 17, 2012. Alford was cut June 25, 2012 in training camp, but was re-signed on August 7, 2012. He played in 10 regular season games for the Roughriders during the 2012 season, making 11 tackles and two sacks. He was released by the team on May 23, 2013.
Personal life
Alford was born in Orange, New Jersey and raised by his grandmother. 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. On February 29, 2008, Alford was awarded the City of Orange Township's Key to the City.
