Mark Ingram might be retired, but he hasn’t lost his touch. The former Alabama running back recently trucked Donald De La Haye Jr., also known online as Deestroying.
The two squared up for what seemed like a friendly showdown. Ingram stood at running back. Deestroying nervously waited across from him. His nerves were well-founded. In mere moments, Ingram turned Deestroying’s world upside down, leaving him motionless on the ground.
After the hit, Ingram repeated three simple words.
“I don’t play,” Ingram said with a stone-cold demeanor.
Evidently, the former Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t gone soft in retirement. In fairness, he hasn’t been away from the game long. On July 6, Ingram officially retired from the NFL. The 5-foot-9 running back boasted an impressive 12-season NFL career, totaling 8,111 rushing yards, 2,125 yards receiving, and 75 total touchdowns.
While Ingram will no longer be on the field, he’ll still be on the sideline. Following his retirement announcement, Ingram joined FOX Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” cast for the 2023 college football season.
Nick Saban pays respect to Mark Ingram
As fantastic as Ingram was in the NFL, his professional career pales in comparison to his days with the Crimson Tide. Ingram was the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009. In the same season, Ingram boosted the Crimson Tide to a win in the 2010 BCS National Championship.
Although over a decade has passed since the program-defining victory, Alabama head coach Nick Saban hasn’t forgotten about his star. The 71-year-old head coach recently surprised Ingram with a video message during his first day at his new job.
“You know, Mark, they’re trying to get me to give you a hard time about something,” Saban said. “If it was (Tom) Rinaldi or one of these other guys that I’ve had some experiences with, it’d be very easy to do. But for you, it’s really hard, because you’ve always been a model citizen to me.
“I’d like to congratulate you on a great career, congratulate you on the opportunity you have as a sports broadcaster. We appreciate you, we love you. You’ve been a great ambassador for the University of Alabama and God Bless You.”
Mark Ingram was understandably taken aback at the kind gesture from the Crimson Tide coach.
“My guy. My dawg. Coach Saban. Saint Nick! That’s my dawg, man,” an overjoyed Ingram praised of his former coach in response to his touching words.
“He always showed me love,” continued Ingram. “He’s always pushed me to be the best I could be both on and off the field, and I’m just gonna transition that to this new career. So shoutout to Coach Saban. Roll Tide baby. I love you.”
On3’s Alex Weber also contributed to this article.
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