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Stretch Against Chattanooga, Ingram did nothing to hurt his Heisman chances, rushing for 102 yards and two , this one on a 25-yard dash that put Alabama up 14–0.

Photograph by al tielemans

As his troubled father watches from prison, Mark Ingram is carrying the Crimson Tide on a national title run and trying to deliver the first Heisman in the program’s proud history by selena roberts ’Bama’s Backbone

Sports Illustrated 11/30/2009 ALABAMA.l/o LEFT PAGE 42/1 of 2 11/30/2009 ALABAMA.l/o righT PAGE 43/1 of 2 Version: 22 11/22/2009 10:32PM John Shostrom godich bias Version: 22 11/22/2009 10:32PM John Shostrom godich bias A.D./ext: TRAN/x2558 11/23/2009 11:45AM ltran1271 A.D./ext: TRAN/x2558 11/23/2009 11:45AM ltran1271 Revise comments: OOF--tweeked headline size and placement, tweeked subhead placment Revise comments: OOF--tweeked headline size and placement ±Local Read± ±Conference± ±Art Approval± ±HOLD:Updates/Checks ±HOLD:Art ±Local Read± ±Conference± ±Art Approval± ±HOLD:Updates/Checks ±HOLD:Art mark ingram

he precious connection between father and son is a TV tention as Little Mark prepared to play in the playmakers are, in some ways, . About two hours before kickoff The elder Ingram, as close as ever. The cable inside a windowless warehouse turned prison. You who made a key wouldn’t know that former NFL wideout Mark Ingram U.S. marshals arrested Ingram in a Flint, catch in Super son understands his Bowl XXV, still lives here—or that any federal inmate does, for that mat- Mich., hotel. Authorities reportedly found father’s flaws—“and him sitting on a bed in his underwear, the relays tips to I’ve learned from ter. The Queens Private Correctional Facility is unmarked, Little Mark, who is TV on. It was a head-spinning development nearing the Tide’s them,” he says—but blending into an industrial district used by dozens of for Little Mark, but as a freshman backup, single- he also realizes other rushing record. express shipping companies that fly cargo in and out of he rushed for 26 yards on eight carries that players have grown nearby Kennedy Airport. Jumbo jets thunder over the prison at an altitude night to end a tumultuous period that under- up never even knowing their dads. Strange Tso low, you can count the passenger windows on the fuselages. There is no scored the mental strength inside his rugged as it may sound, he feels lucky. “Mark Sr. razor wire or guard tower to define the 200-bed detention center for inmates 5' 10", 215-pound frame. It was difficult, but is a good guy as far as giving parental ad- Mark Jr. persevered, Saban says, adding, “I vice and loving his son,” says Saban. “He awaiting trial or sentencing, only a brown steel door with a bulletin board next talked to him when everything was going has done a wonderful job of keeping him to it stating visitation hours (2 p.m.–4 p.m.), caloosa. “Alabama has a long list of great on. I said, ‘That’s your dad. And you are grounded and trying to make him aware of rules for the dress code (no attire that re- players, but no one has ever won it. People any piranhas out there.” veals cleavage or bare backs) and a list of here walk a fine line. We like to say how Little Mark’s dad falls into a category of banned contraband (no weapons or games we’re only about winning and not Heisman confounding contradictions: good man, bad of chance, no cellphones or aluminum foil). trophies, but that talk might be different if decisions. Saban has known him for years, A glance inside the lobby reveals a grim Alabama had one.” going back to Saban’s days as an assistant existence beyond a metal detector. It’s a delicious topic to chew on for the pa- coach at Michigan State in the mid-1980s, Ingram doesn’t want to leave this. He trons at Tuscaloosa’s Dreamland Bar-B-Que. when Big Mark played for the Spartans. On doesn’t seek transport to a permanent institu- They might not trade one of Alabama’s 12 occasion, Saban’s duties included checking tion with roomy outdoor space. He doesn’t itch national titles for a stiff-arming statue, but up on players’ class attendance. “I’d get the for a facility with a stocked library. Because deep in their houndstooth souls, they crave the call,” laughs Shonda Ingram, who was Big what would he do if he lost the remote? validation for historic significance. “If Mark Mark’s high school and college girlfriend In the common room at Queens, Ingram won it,” says Watson, “it would be huge.” before marrying him after graduation. “I’d has game-day TV privileges he might not The elder Ingram soaks in the euphoria in be asked, ‘Why isn’t Mark in class?’ So, yes, I have somewhere else. He has been able prison-issued clothing in front of a television. remember Coach Saban. When he recruited to watch Little Mark, as the family calls To lose this portal to his son’s sophomore- my son, there was trust, a lot of comfort.” Mark Ingram Jr., carry the season success would mean losing a piece Saban has guided him with care—even sit- second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide of himself. So last week Ingram, 44, made a ting him in the second half of the Tide’s 45–0 into the national-title conversation, pow- move as agile as the ones he flashed during a victory over Chattanooga last Saturday to ering down the field as if on casters, able 10-year NFL career in which he caught 265 preserve his body for bigger games. (Mak- to quickly turn one way and then another, passes. His lawyer, Jim Neville, received an ing the most of his short work day, Ingram spinning through tacklers who end up swip- adjournment last Friday, the day his client ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns on ing at his ankle tape. He has been the main was scheduled to be sentenced for jumping 11 carries.) Rival Auburn is next, with a blockbuster to follow: the SEC title game on Dec. 5 against Florida, which in all likeli- “I’m proud of my dad,” Mark Jr. hood will determine one of the participants in the BCS championship game. The show- says. “But I’m becoming known left: from down with the Gators also pits against Ingram in a parlor L for what I do, for being myself.” ou game. “Mark knows that [matchup] will be T oman/Pool/ part of the headline,” says Tide safety Robby cat in the Wildcat and the unshakable go-to bail 11 months ago. “It’s postponing the inevi- proud of your dad. There may be some public Green, Ingram’s closest friend on the team. player for an undefeated Tide team with a table,” says Neville, who got the sentencing scrutiny he has to take, but make sure you’re “I say if Tebow can win the Heisman as a A jumpy in first-year starter Greg pushed back to early January. “To be honest, focused on the right stuff.’ ” strohmeyer damian nfl/wireimage.com; tielemans; al P; sophomore [in 2007], why not Mark?” McElroy. “It’s humbling to have the team not that I think judges are easily moved, but if He tunneled in. But his father’s fugitive The elder Ingram is more than part of believe in me,” says Ingram Jr. by some great occurrence Mark Jr. should win stunt—a mistake that could add about two the television audience for this drama. He He has rewarded coach Nick Saban’s trust the Heisman, I’d like to be able to say, ‘Look, years to his original sentence—was an intru- remains an active adviser to his son. Two in him with 1,399 rushing yards this season, this is why the father didn’t surrender.’ ” sion on his son’s Sugar Bowl moment. He weeks ago he called his wife before Alabama just 72 yards shy of ’s 1986 doesn’t want to be a diversion again. The played Mississippi State and urged her to school record. Suddenly Mark Jr. has given his is how Mark Ingram ended up in elder Ingram has declined all interview text Little Mark with a tip. “He said, ‘You ’Bama a splash of star power reminiscent Queens: Last Dec. 5 he failed to re- requests, ceding the spotlight to Little Mark. gotta tell Mark that when he catches a screen of the and Kenny Stabler days. T port to a federal prison in Ashland, “He said to me, ‘I don’t want to be a bur- pass, he has to pull the ball in and hold it “And neither of them won a Heisman,” re- Ky., after being sentenced to 92 months on den to my son or put any negativity around so he won’t get stripped from behind,’ ” says minds Taylor Watson, Tide historian and bank-fraud and money-laundering charges. him,’ ” Neville explains. “He just wants to Shonda. “He’s still coaching him. My hus- curator of the museum in Tus- A monthlong manhunt triggered media at- have the focus on Mark Jr.” Father and son band has always been there for him.”

44 | Sports IllustrateD | november 30, 2009 Sports IllustrateD | 45

Sports Illustrated 11/30/2009 ALABAMA.l/o LEFT PAGE 44/1 of 2 Sports Illustrated 11/30/2009 ALABAMA.l/o righT PAGE 45/1 of 2 Version: 19 11/22/2009 10:32PM John Shostrom godich bias Version: 19 11/22/2009 10:32PM John Shostrom godich bias A.D./ext: TRAN/x2558 11/22/2009 09:47PM sskalocky1271 A.D./ext: TRAN/x2558 11/22/2009 09:47PM sskalocky1271 Revise comments: ART FINAL Revise comments: ART FINAL ±Local Read± ±Conference± ±Art Approval± ±HOLD:Updates/Checks ±HOLD:Art ±Local Read± ±Conference± ±Art Approval± ±HOLD:Updates/Checks ±HOLD:Art mark ingram

ig Mark would wear a ball cap twist- father’s pro legacy hung over him. He was the 13-hour drive from Flint to Tuscaloosa. ed backward in a trendy, if strained, always referred to with one title: son of the “We know all the stops along the way,” says B effort to keep up with youth when he former NFL player. “I’m proud of my dad,” Johnson. “We’re pretty well-behaved. My helped coach the high school track team at Mark Jr. says. “But now I’m becoming known mother-in-law is 91, so we can’t get too out Southwestern Academy in Flint in the spring for what I do, for being myself, and I’m not of control.” By kickoff the next day Shonda of 2008. Some days, as he crouched into the living in his shadow anymore. I’m carving is seated in the stands with a radio earpiece starters’ blocks, he would shake his legs in out my own identity.” so she can hear the commentary. She is an the donkey-kick action sprinters use to loosen He is all at once trying to separate himself information junkie. She keeps track of her up their limbs. “I’m an old man, but I can still from his father the pro while maintaining a son’s page, reads all the news clips beat you,” he would tell Little Mark, then a tether to his dad’s love. Whatever emotional and surfs the fan websites. She takes it all senior. Ingram’s face had become rounder and financial burdens have been freighted in—including the Heisman buzz that seems and his body softer since his NFL days ended on the family due to Big Mark’s choices—he to have swept up everyone except her son. in 1996, but he maintained that quick first has been in legal trouble since 2001, when “He’s the same,” says Green. “He’s still just step of a poked cat. Little Mark was a low- he was caught with counterfeit cash—those easygoing Mark.” slung version of his dad, with a toy soldier’s issues remain within the family circle. The You can still catch the campus celebrity defined muscle and the status of a blue- Ingrams do not indulge in the Oprah-style around midnight at a Wendy’s, where he chip back. “They’d go at it all the time, challenging­ each other,” says Shonda. “They’d run the 40.” Next to the track, some- Stiff-armed The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the “outstanding player in the one would shout “Go!” and ,” though the results suggest that the award is largely about winning. the father and the son Yet while Alabama has collected 12 national championships, the Crimson Tide would bolt, neck and neck has never produced a Heisman winner. In fact, in the 74 years the trophy has been at first, before Little Mark handed out, ’Bama has had only one more top five finish (eight) than Notre Dame, would pull away, out on his Ohio State and USC have had winners. own, the present overtak- ing the past. “He is bet- Year Player Pos. Finish Winner ter than I ever was,” says 1945 RB 5th army RB Shonda’s father, Art John- 1947 harry Gilmer RB 5th notre Dame QB John Lujack son, a Michigan State and 1961 Pat Trammel QB 5th syracuse RB CFL star in the 1950s and 1962 lee Roy Jordan LB 4th oregon State QB ’60s. “And Little Mark is 1971 RB 4th auburn QB Pat Sullivan better than Big Mark ever 1972 terry Davis QB 5th nebraska WB was, though his dad may 1993 david Palmer RB 3rd florida State QB not admit it.” Mark Sr. 1994 QB 5th colorado RB was a gifted player with pronged hands who secured every catch and public catharses that are so common in a tell- reveals a quirk of taste: He always dips his also earned bragging rights with an alltime all society. This is how they cope: by trying to fries in a chocolate Frosty. You can still catch highlight: He skirted five on a live normally. “Mark has had to endure a lot him cruising around Tuscaloosa with a bag third-down play that kept alive a New York on his way to 20,” says Johnson. “It has taken of sunflower seeds at hand and Lil’ Wayne Giants TD drive in Super Bowl XXV. a lot of maturity to get through it, and that’s on the stereo. “That’s about all he needs to His son grew up seeing his father play important, but he’s also had a lot of help and be happy,” says Green. and, at times, hearing just how high expec- support. He’s a momma’s boy. She delivers for Little Mark is smiling at the end of a tations can be. “We’d be in a stadium and him. She’s got his head on straight.” YouTube clip from 2007—a piece about the fans would say things, and not always Shonda is a social worker in depressed his father, titled Mark Ingram: In His Own nice things,” says Shonda. “I think growing Flint. Her compassion and drive make her Words. During the six-minute video the up with that helped Mark mature.” Saban son proud. She took classes through Michigan elder Ingram says, “When you come into a sees on a daily basis the evidence of Little State and received her master’s in social work situation where you think you have a way Mark’s background as the son of a former in May 2008. “When Mark graduated from of being slick, beating the system, it’ll al- professional athlete. “He doesn’t take coach- high school, I graduated with my M.S.W.,” ways come back to bite you in the butt.” At ing as criticism,” says Saban. “That’s how a says Shonda. “There’s a picture of us in our the end the camera pans to the backdrop. professional handles it too.” caps and gowns.” Little Mark is working out on the track. Mark Jr. could have played any sport—even He walks over to his father, who rubs his golf, which was his father’s preference—but he Ingram crew is inseparable. son’s head and says, “That’s my dude. He’s kluetmeier heinz his love was football. “I run with a purpose,” On the day before the Tide plays, going to be all right.” he says. “I love that feeling.” The more he T eight family mem- He is doing just fine—as played as a high school star, the more his bers load into two cars for Now on SI.com his father can see. ± Look for the SI 16-team playoff bracket and poll every Sunday 46 | Sports IllustrateD | november 30, 2009 at SI.com/bonus

Sports Illustrated 11/30/2009 ALABAMA.l/o LEFT PAGE 46/1 of 2 Version: 19 11/22/2009 10:32PM John Shostrom godich bias A.D./ext: TRAN/x2558 11/22/2009 09:47PM sskalocky1271 Revise comments: ART FINAL ±Local Read± ±Conference± ±Art Approval± ±HOLD:Updates/Checks ±HOLD:Art