Mark Ingram II

Mark Ingram II's Biography

Mark Valentino Ingram II, better known as Mark Ingram Junior, is an American sports figure renowned for his football career, now serves as an on-air personality for Fox Sports. Mark was born on December 21, 1989, in Hackensack, New Jersey to wide receiver for the New York Giants, Mark Ingram Sr. His early life saw him actively engaged in high school athletics, most notably making noteworthy performances in football, earning himself the title of Area Player of the Year. Besides football, he was also a nine-time All-State selection in track and field at Flint Southwestern Academy in Michigan.

Ingram’s sporting accolades attracted the attention of the University of Alabama, earning him an athletic scholarship. Playing under Coach Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, he became Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner, etching his name in history due to his remarkable 1,658-yard rush in 2009, which also contributed to the team’s 2010 BCS National Championship victory.

In 2011, Ingram selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the NFL draft. His tenure with the Saints became a cornerstone of his career, earning him bragging rights as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yardage and two Pro Bowl selections. Besides the Saints, Ingram served as a member of both the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.

During his time in the NFL, Ingram displayed exceptional skill as a running back. Particularly in the 2008 season, he achieved 728 rushing yards and established the Alabama freshman school record with team-high 12 touchdowns. The highlight of his college career came in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Virginia Tech, where he was awarded player of the game with 150 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown.

Ingram’s college career was an undeniable standout for his spectacular performance, which climaxed with him winning the Heisman Trophy in 2009, marking Alabama’s first Heisman win and making Ingram the youngest player to win this prestigious award at just over nineteen years old. Ingram ranked as a unanimous first-team All-American, recognized by several associations, including the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association among others.

His college career concluded on a high note in 2010 when Alabama defeated Texas 37-21, bagging the BCS National Championship with Ingram named Offensive MVP after rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

After college, Ingram decided to roll into professional football, entering the 2011 NFL draft. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round with the 28th pick, the same choice used for his father, Mark Ingram Sr., bringing a nostalgic touch to his professional journey.

Throughout his profession, Ingram was nothing short of spectacular. His journey with the Saints began on a high note with a 14-yard run to score his career’s first touchdown in a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Later into his career, in a remarkable 2014 season, Ingram recorded a career-high of 1,109 yards from scrimmage, leading to his first career Pro Bowl nomination.

In 2015, Ingram and the Saints agreed on a four-year deal worth $16 million solidifying how invaluable Ingram had become to the team. His career saw him shine as a key asset in the league and earned him much-deserved respect and admiration.

Living up to his decorated career as an NFL running back, Ingram transitioned into an on-air personality for Fox Sports post-retirement, showcasing his vast knowledge and experience in the sport. Today, he continues to influence the world of football. Not just as an iconic former player, but as a reliable source of insight and analysis, proving that whether on the field or in the analysis booth, his passion for football remains as intense as ever.

Nevertheless, whatever advice or analysis Ingram offers today comes from a place of vast knowledge, experience, and innate understanding of football. His understanding of the sport, often remarked upon with reverence by peers and fans alike, is a testimony to an illustrious career well-earned and well-lived. Preserving his legacy, Mark Ingram Junior forges ahead in his post-professional football career while leaving a lasting mark on the sport.