Elias '94 still a mainstay in Princeton record books

The career siren songs for many Princeton graduates are often banking and consulting, or professions like medicine and law. Those who answer the vocational calling of the National Football League are far more atypical. While last year alone 28 Alabama alumni were drawing paychecks from the NFL, only 28 Tiger players in the last 81 years have made it to that athletic level. Keith Elias '94 is one of those exceptional few.

After an impressive high school career during which he accumulated 4,014 rushing yards and was twice named to the All-State team, Elias decided to remain in his home state for college. Thus began a relationship that would make Keith Elias' name among the most recognizable in Princeton football history.

"The big decision for me was whether or not to go to Princeton, because I did have the NFL in mind," Elias said. "As long as I could play football at Princeton and still have a chance to go to the NFL, it was a no-brainer. Princeton is a degree that lasts a lifetime; it's sort of an investment. So it was worth passing up the scholarship to play football. Going to Princeton was the best decision I've ever made in my life."

During the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Elias' prowess as a running back established himself as the Tigers' star player, and he quickly became the darling of Princeton fans while dazzling devotees and foes alike. By the time he graduated in 1994, he had set 21 university records, four of which he still holds. He maintains the top two spots in rushing yards in a single season, with 1,701 yards in 1992 and 1,575 yards in 1993. Additionally, he is the career rushing record holder with 4,208 yards.

Elias' light of recognition radiated beyond Ivy League confines. In 1992, he was honored as Division I-AA's most prolific rusher with an average of 157.5 yards per game. Moreover, Elias is still the Ivy League's highest finisher in voting for the Walter Payton Award – the I-AA equivalent of the Heisman Trophy – for which he placed second in 1993.

His last two seasons at Princeton convinced the New York Giants to take a gamble on the 5'9'', 200-pound running back. Although he was not drafted directly out of college, his persistence, intensity and tenacity impressed Giants head coach Dan Reeves, who signed Elias as a free agent in 1994.

"Coming from the Ivy League to the NFL, it was like playing a different sport," Elias said. "In the Ivy League, we had guys who were fast and guys who were big, but not guys who were as big or as fast as everybody in the NFL."

After playing three games with the Giants in 1994, Elias tore a knee ligament and was sidelined for the balance of the season. Nicknamed "Rocky" by his teammates in respect for his positive attitude, Elias was determined to continue his professional career. He returned to Giants' training camp in 1995 and secured a spot on the team by outperforming established stars like Herschel Walker and Rodney Hampton, one of the leading rushers in Giants history.

Despite that success, Elias played primarily on special teams or as a substitute running back. During his three-year career with the Giants, he carried the ball just 21 times for a total of 72 yards and received 17 passes for 120 yards. Although he was named the team's Unsung Hero in 1997, in typical heartless NFL fashion he was released that same year.

Elias' hiatus from professional football lasted only one year. In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts signed him to a one-year contract, but this union was short-lived. Despite being named the Special Teams Captain in 2000, Elias' veteran status pushed his required minimum salary to a level above what the Colts were willing to pay for a nonstarter.

The advent of the infamous XFL enabled Elias to keep his gridiron aspirations alive. While most of the XFL charter members played in hopes of attracting NFL attention, Elias had different motives. After five years of playing a backup position, he finally earned the opportunity to contribute consistently offensively. However, his body finally gave out, and he retired once and for all after only six games.

Since his professional football career ended, Elias has dedicated himself to a variety of religious organizations.

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"I basically believed that once I made it at the NFL, once I had everything the world told me I would ever need – money, cars, girlfriend, fame – that I'd be happy," Elias said. "And you know, I had it all, and it's a lie. It's just like chasing after the wind; it doesn't make you happy. And that was the first time I ever considered the possibility that there was something more to life than just stuff."

Dedicating himself to youth outreach consumes most of Elias' time, and he stopped working as a color commentator for the YES Network in order to ensure he could continue his commitment. However, he still finds the time to dabble in screenwriting with his brother.

While many Princeton graduates boast impressive resumes and fulfilling careers, the experience of Elias demonstrates that there is no single, homogeneous career path for all. A storied collegiate athlete with a fervor for football, he has expanded that passion into various pursuits off the field. Although his life has taken many twists since graduation, Elias still extols the virtue of Princeton football.

"I would trade all of my years in the NFL for one more year of college football. It is the absolute pinnacle of football. You're playing because you love the game, you love the guys you're playing with and you love your school."