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JOHN ALT
Life Athletes® Biography


John Alt
Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
Offensive Left Tackle

This man inspires lots of confidence-- for years, the legendary Joe Montana trusted him on every Chiefs' play. The Montana offense, of which Alt was a key part, performed well, beating their archrivals, the Denver Broncos, two years in a row. Beating Denver, in Mile High Stadium, in the snow, is one of John's favorite pro memories.

John's outstanding collegiate performance at the University of Iowa gave him the self-confidence needed in the pros. During his college career with the Hawkeyes, John traveled to the Peach Bowl, the Gator Bowl, and the Rose Bowl. John switched positions from tight end to offensive left tackle his junior year at Iowa. Even at this "blue collar" position, John's can-do attitude attracted attention. He made it to the Hula Bowl in Japan, and was a 1st round draft pick in 1984 (chosen 21st overall)!

Football has always been a part of John's life ( his first foray onto the gridiron was in 3rd grade), but he does not divide the world into "jocks" and "weaklings". John has a remarkable sensitivity for the handicapped and the elderly. It's a sensitivity that predates even his 3rd grade scrimmages. His grandparents spent the summers with John's family. And John's father is handicapped.

Last year, with other fellow Chiefs, (including Rich Gannon) John made the Life Athletes® pledge, which promises to especially respect the lives of the unborn and the aged. John says, "My wife and I believe in Life Athletes strongly." John's wife works with the Lighthouse project, which provides homes for pregnant teens and women, and works hard to make adoption a real possibility for them.

John offers advice to Life Athletes®, especially young people.

  1. Start with yourself. You need a code of values. Decide what is important. Decide what you want to accomplish. Nobody sticks to goals perfectly, but it is worth trying.
  2. Remember, the real goal is eternal life. Hopefully your parents have taught you right from wrong. First ask "what's right?" Second, take responsibility and answer for your actions.
  3. As an athlete, you need a structured life. Distractions are going to hurt you.
  4. Watch out for the code of values on TV. If it were just up to TV, we would all go down the drain. Go back to your heart.


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