Mark Ingram is the star sophomore running back of the newly crowned National Champions of the University of Alabama. That’s an amazing feat considering that many collegiate athletes don’t win the Heisman as a Sophomore especially under his personal circumstances. I had a conversation with my cousin one day and we were talking about my company and the work that I do with professional athletes and he said do you know Mark Ingram’s story and I said no. He said, that is former New York Giants wide receiver, Mark Ingram’s son.
As I begin to do some research, I discovered an article in Sports Illustrated that shared his story. Mark Sr. was sentenced to serve 92 months for money laundering and bank fraud. He was due to report to federal prison in Kentucky on December 5th 2008 and he failed to report and a month-long manhunt ensued as his son prepared to play in the Sugar Bowl. Two-hours before the kick-off of his son’s biggest game, Mark Sr. was found in a hotel in Flint, Michigan.
I remember Mark Ingram Sr. as a wide receiver for the New York Giants. I remember the catch that he made in the Super Bowl to extend the drive down the field to win it all. He was a good wide receiver and had a good 10 year career in the NFL, but as I see so often with NFL, NBA, and MLB players, some are good people, but they make bad decisions. Those decisions have affected his family, put a shadow over his son’s college career.
I watched a video titled Mark Ingram: In His Own Words and I could see how Mark Sr. wanted to help other young men understand that they are held accountable for their actions. My perception is that most athletes realize the mistakes they have made when it is too late. The other issue that I have is that these piranas that are out here preying on collegiate and professional athletes enticing them into troublesome situations. We have all heard the stories about many athletes and the trouble they have found themselves in during and after their professional career.
I hope that my firm can make a difference working with athletes to help them make better decisions. I was once told when I was 15 years old that, “the decisions you make from here on out will affect you for the rest of your life.” Looking at this story has made me realize the truth of that statement. I am glad that Mark Sr. & Jr. had a great relationship and I am hoping that his son has learned and will learn from his mistakes.
