Former New Orleans Saints Star Relives His Alabama Days

“Uh, a tremendous blessing,” the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner said. “Anytime you’re associated with a Hall of Fame, especially like the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, who has so many notable athletes, high-level athletes, high-character human beings, it’s truly an honor.”

“Alabama holds a special place in my life. I went down there and grew up as a man from Michigan, and had some of my best times, my best teammates, Mark Baron’s here with me, one of my teammates, one of my good friends still to this day.”

“Just a special opportunity, and I don’t take it for granted, man, that I was able to leave a legacy in Alabama, because they left a long-lasting legacy on me as well.”

Before turning pro and building a 12-year-long NFL career, Ingram made history as Alabama’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner in 2009, the same year he helped lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

By the end of his college days, he ranked fourth on Alabama’s all-time rushing list with 3,261 yards, trailing only Shaun Alexander, Bobby Humphrey, and Kenneth Darby. Since then, players like Najee Harris, Derrick Henry, and T.J. Yeldon have surpassed his mark.