Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram II was born on December 21, 1989, in Hackensack, New Jersey. The son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram Sr., he played high school football in Michigan, first at Grand Blanc Community High School, and then Flint Southwestern Academy. Ingram was recognized as a four-year starter, accumulating 2,546 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns in his final two seasons. He also played cornerback, amassing 84 tackles and eight interceptions during his senior year, and competed in track and field, earning nine All-State selections as a sprinter and long jumper. He joined the University of Alabama on an athletic scholarship, playing for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2010.

In 2009, as a sophomore, Ingram made history by becoming the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy, rushing for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with 334 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He also earned unanimous first-team All-American honors and was named SEC co-Offensive Player of the Year. That season culminated in a BCS National Championship victory over Texas, where Ingram was named Offensive MVP with 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He concluded his collegiate career in 2010 with 3,261 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, deciding to forgo his senior season for the NFL Draft.

Ingram was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, 28th overall, matching his father’s draft position. He became the Saints’ all-time leading rusher and earned three Pro Bowl selections (2014, 2017, 2019). During his NFL career, he also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. After 12 seasons, Ingram retired from professional football on July 6, 2023, to join Fox Sports as a college football analyst for their “Big Noon Kickoff” show.