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Alex Carson
Alex Carson
Alex Carson
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Alexander Chorostkowski,[1] known as Alex Carson, (October 26, 1923 – August 3, 1981), was a Canadian football player who played for the Ottawa Rough Riders. He won the Grey Cup with them in 1951.[2]

Key Information

Carson was raised in Windsor, Ontario and previously attended and played football at the Kennedy Collegiate Institute and for the junior Windsor Rockets. He briefly played for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League.[3]

During his time in California, Carson married Carol Channing in 1950. They had one son named Channing Carson, who later adopted his stepfather's surname (Lowe). Carson and Channing divorced in 1956.[1]

He worked as a private detective in New York City after his football career. In 1962, he was living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[4] He later married Mary Jane Haskin Fenton in 1965; that marriage lasted only 63 days.[5][6]

Carson died in Palm Beach, Florida on August 3, 1981.[7][8]

References

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Alex Carson

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Alex Carson (October 26, 1923 – August 3, 1981), born Alexander Chorostkowski, was a Canadian football player best known for his role as a center with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU), a predecessor league to the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he contributed to their Grey Cup victory in 1951. Nicknamed "The Murderous Ax" for his aggressive playing style, Carson began his athletic career in Windsor, Ontario, playing at Kennedy Collegiate Institute and with the Windsor Rockets junior team before turning professional. Carson's professional tenure with the spanned from 1949 to 1951, during which he established himself as a formidable lineman in an era when was gaining prominence. His contributions helped the team secure the 39th against the , marking a highlight of his brief but impactful career. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 210 pounds, Carson's physical presence on the field earned him respect among peers, though detailed statistics from his games are limited in historical records. Beyond football, Carson's life intersected with entertainment when he married renowned Broadway actress and singer in 1950; the couple had one son, Channing Carson, before divorcing in 1956. After retiring from the sport, Carson lived in the United States, eventually settling in , where he passed away at age 57. His legacy endures as a notable figure in early CFL history and through his familial ties to one of America's iconic performers.

Early life

Birth and family background

Alexander Chorostkowski, professionally known as Alex Carson, was born on October 26, 1923, in , . He was the son of Polish immigrant parents Joseph Chorostkowski and Mary Chorostkowski. Carson had at least two siblings: a brother named and a sister named Helen. The family's Polish heritage shaped their early life in Windsor, where Carson was raised in a household rooted in immigrant traditions.

Upbringing in Windsor

Alexander Chorostkowski, later known as Alex Carson, was born on October 26, 1923, in , to Polish immigrant parents who had settled in the city prior to his birth. Raised in Windsor throughout the and , Carson's childhood unfolded in an industrial border city heavily reliant on the automobile manufacturing sector, where his family, like many immigrant households, navigated the challenges of establishing roots in a new country. Windsor's socio-economic landscape during the profoundly influenced the formative years of residents, including young Carson. As a key hub for automotive production, the city saw soar to 30 percent of its workforce by the early 1930s, leading to widespread poverty, reduced opportunities, and reliance on limited relief programs among working-class and immigrant families. This era of hardship fostered resilience in the local community, where ethnic groups banded together for mutual support amid factory closures and economic instability. Carson grew up amid Windsor's burgeoning Polish immigrant community, which had been establishing itself since the late and saw active organization in the . In 1925, a group of Polish residents founded the Dom Polski to aid newcomers with social, cultural, and practical needs, creating an that offered solidarity and preserved traditions during times of adversity. This environment provided Carson with a sense of and ties that complemented the broader urban setting. His initial exposure to athletics occurred through local school and junior sports programs, sparking his interest in football. Carson attended Kennedy Collegiate Institute, where he played the sport and developed his physical skills in a competitive high school environment. He further pursued football with the Windsor Rockets junior team, gaining early experience in organized play that laid the foundation for his later athletic pursuits.

Football career

Ottawa Rough Riders and Grey Cup

Carson joined the of the Canadian Football League in 1949, playing as a centre and guard for the next . During the 1949 season, Carson appeared in all 12 regular-season games, contributing to the Rough Riders' dominant 11–1 record that secured first place in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union; however, Ottawa lost the IRFU finals to Hamilton in a two-game series. The following year, 1950, brought challenges for the team, which finished fourth in the IRFU with a 4–7–1 mark and missed the playoffs, while Carson played in 9 games amid the lineup's struggles. Carson rebounded in 1951, suiting up for 9 regular-season games as the posted a 7–5 record to claim second place in the IRFU before advancing through the . His tenure culminated in the 39th on November 24, 1951, at Toronto's , where Ottawa defeated the 21–14 in the first Grey Cup matchup between teams sharing the "Roughriders" name. As a starting guard on the offensive line, Carson helped protect the backfield and facilitate key runs, including those leading to touchdowns by Benny MacDonnell, Alton Baldwin, and Pete Karpuk, securing Ottawa's fifth championship and Carson's only title. The win, attended by 27,341 fans, highlighted the team's balanced attack with 312 net yards gained, though specific post-game celebrations for Carson remain undocumented in available records.

Personal life

Marriage to Carol Channing

Alex Carson married Broadway actress in 1950, during a period when she was gaining prominence following her breakout role in the 1949 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. This union brought Carson into the spotlight of New York's entertainment circles, as Channing's career was ascending rapidly on stage. The couple's relationship, though relatively private compared to Channing's public persona, highlighted the intersection of sports and in mid-20th-century . The marriage produced one son, Channing Carson, born in 1953. Despite the initial promise, the union faced challenges amid Channing's demanding touring schedule and Carson's professional commitments, culminating in their divorce in 1956. The split was finalized amicably, with no major public controversies reported at the time.

Family and later relationships

Carson and his wife, , welcomed their only child, son Channing George Carson, on March 25, 1953. Following their in September 1956, full custody of the young Channing—then approximately three years old—was awarded to Channing, who had already begun a relationship with her future third husband, manager Charles Lowe. The boy was raised primarily by his mother and Lowe in , where he attended school and grew up amid Channing's rising Broadway career. In 1960, a court terminated Carson's parental rights over Channing, citing abandonment due to his failure to provide financial support or maintain contact since the divorce. Lowe later adopted the boy, who took his stepfather's surname and became known as Channing Lowe. As an adult, Lowe pursued a successful career as a syndicated , working for over four decades at publications including the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Berkshire Eagle, often under the professional name Chan Lowe. Post-divorce family ties remained distant; Carson had no further documented involvement in his son's life, and interactions with his ex-wife appear to have been minimal amid their separate paths.

Later years and death

After retiring from professional football, Alex Carson resided in the United States, eventually settling in .

Death and legacy

Alex Carson died on August 3, 1981, in , at the age of 57. Carson's legacy in is tied to his time as a center for the , including his contributions to their 1951 victory—the team's first since 1940. Although not inducted into major halls of fame, his role in that championship remains a notable part of history.
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