Mark Ingram II is a Heisman Trophy Winner, former NFL running back for the New Orleans Saints, and current broadcaster for Fox Sports’ popular college football show, Big Noon Kickoff. He also hosts The Triple Option, a weekly college football and NFL commentary podcast, with former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and Fox Sports commentator Rob Stone.
Originally from Hackensack, New Jersey, Ingram II is the son of Mark Ingram Sr., who is a former first round wide receiver for the New York Giants. He attended Grand Blanc Community High School in Grand Blanc, Michigan. As a four year starter, Mark garnered multiple accolades, including the Saginaw Valley MVP and All-State selection. Following his standout career at Grand Blanc, he went on to commit to the University of Alabama and play for iconic college football coach, Nick Saban, and the Crimson Tide.
Throughout his electrifying three-year career at Alabama, Mark Ingram II ran for a total of 3,324 yards and 42 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Ingram’s stellar performance in the 2009 SEC Championship Game versus the Florida Gators resulted in 189 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. At the time, he surpassed former Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey’s single-season rushing record.
Ingram later won the 2009 Heisman Trophy, as Alabama’s first winner and the first running back to win since Reggie Bush in 2005 for USC. Following his Heisman ceremony, Mark would then go on to receive All-American honors and Offensive MVP, after Alabama defeated Texas in the BCS National Championship.
After his junior season at Alabama, Ingram II declared for the 2011 NFL draft as a projected first round pick. He was selected in the first round with the 28th pick by the New Orleans Saints, where he would play for seven seasons (2011-2018) and eventually rush for the most yards in the franchise’s history with 6,500 yards. Following a departure in 2018, Mark would go on to play for the Baltimore Ravens (2019-2020) and the Houston Texans (2021), before returning to the Saints for his final season in 2021. Throughout his 12 season NFL career, he amassed an impressive 8,111 rushing yards, 2,125 yards receiving yards, and 75 touchdowns, along with earning three Pro Bowl selections.
Outside of football, Mark Ingram II serves as a pillar of the Flint, Michigan community. Through his Mark Ingram Foundation, he partnered with Crim Sports, a local youth empowerment organization, to provide year-round after school sports programming and support children with incarcerated parents.
He currently resides in Florida with his wife Chelsea and their five children. In addition to serving his community, Mark is also a prolific keynote speaker. He is often invited to corporate campuses for keynotes and Q&A sessions. In these sessions, Mark brings the smooth delivery of a broadcaster and the seasoned insight of an elite athlete.
Throughout these talks, Ingram II shares insight into this personal life and professional career post-football. He highlights the keys to cultivating a championship winning mindset and equips audiences with the strategies needed to perform at the highest level. Mark also provides guidance on how to persevere during times of adversity, including his experience transitioning from professional sports to broadcast media. He especially enjoys Q&As as a way to directly engage with audience members and offer stories or insights on the parts of his football and broadcasting experience they are most interested in.
