CHENEY, Wash. (July 29, 2005) -- Shaun Alexander is missing the first day of the Seahawks training camp but he's not a holdout.
His wife had a daughter named Trinity, their second child, on July 28. Coach Mike Holmgren expects Alexander to join the team by July 31, though he wasn't sure if Alexander will practice before Aug. 1.
"He's staying there until he finds out there's nothing for him to do. He might as well be here," Holmgren joked. "Once his mom comes in and his wife's mom comes in, he'll be here. I'm hoping for Sunday."
Alexander's first child arrived amid great fanfare.
Daughter Heaven was born Sept. 21, 2003, shortly before kickoff of a Seahawks home game against St. Louis. Alexander attended her birth then rushed to the stadium, missing the first quarter of Seattle's 24-23 win.
Holmgren was asked if Alexander had somehow scheduled the births to conflict with his work.
"The timing isn't exactly what I'd hoped it would be," Holmgren said. "I can control some things. That isn't something I can control. Bless his heart. I'm glad the baby's healthy. It's an exciting time for him."
Alexander was designated the team's franchise player last spring. He ended speculation about whether he'd skip training camp when he signed a one-year $6.32 million tender July 27.
"That worked out great," Holmgren said. "I'm also happy he's signed. We're going to need him."
Alexander had a franchise-record 1,696 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns last season. He missed the NFL rushing title by 1 yard, the closest margin ever, to Curtis Martin of the New York Jets.
