Nick Saban sends heartfelt message to Mark Ingram

Former Alabama star and NFL running back Mark Ingram received a surprise on Saturday morning’s edition of Big Noon Kickoff when FOX played a video of Nick Saban congratulating him on his new career move.

After a dozen years toting the rock mostly for the Saints and Ravens, Ingram hung up his cleats this offseason and joined the Big Noon Kickoff crew to preview college football Saturdays each week on FOX. So, during his first day on the show, his former coach made a touching tribute video for Ingram.

Here was what Saban had to say to his former player:

“You know, Mark, they’re trying to get me to give you a hard time about something. 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.”

Alabama fans have to love to see their current head coach and a former star player showing some appreciation for each other on national television.

Ingram open to NFL return

After being a staple running back in the NFL since 2011 and going to three Pro Bowls, Mark Ingram isn’t on an NFL roster going into the 2023 season. That’s after going on injured reserve in 2022 and becoming a broadcast with Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff.

So, it’s easy to assume that Ingram is done with professional football. However, he says that he can still play and didn’t rule out an NFL comeback for the right offer.

“My body feels really well,” Mark Ingram said. “I know for a fact, I was going to address playing each year, and at the end of the season, I got healthy. My body was feeling good. I was like, ‘Yeah, definitely.’ [I was] definitely capable and wanted to play this year.”

Already a veteran, Ingram doesn’t think he’d play forever. However, he does think he has plenty in the tank before he’d be able to return to his new career with Fox.

“If I do play, let’s say I play another one year, two years, God-willing tops, maybe three? That’s still not that long,” Ingram said. “And in the grand scheme of things, this is an opportunity where can I get in the door with a great network, with a great position at a desk on a premiere college football show.”