Mark Ingram wanted to make sure he kept the ball from the record-breaking run, tossed it to the sideline 🙌
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/IDTqSH8NHs
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 14, 2021
Mark Ingram entered Week 10’s game with the Tennessee Titans just 20 yards away from owning the New Orleans Saints record for career rushing yards, so he was already in a good position to go the distance before the team ruled out Alvin Kamara with a knee injury.
And it didn’t take Ingram long to break the record Deuce McAllister set. He surpassed McAllister’s team-best total of 6,096 yards on a 6-yard run in the third quarter, with plenty of time left to build on his lead at 6,102. It was his ninth rushing attempt of the afternoon.
It’s a big moment, and Ingram took time before the game to acknowledge the company he’s joining. He said of McAllister this week that, “I looked up to him growing up watching him run the rock. So just to be able to be mentioned with those type of players, that’s a something I’m proud of, something I worked very hard for. Thank the Lord for health and longevity, and everyone in my corner who has helped me get to this point.”
Because Ingram signed a one-year contract extension to help facilitate his trade to New Orleans from the Houston Texans, he’ll have the rest of this season and all of 2022 to cap off a great career. It’s impressive to see how far he’s come after his frustrating early years with the Saints — Ingram also own the team record for touchdown carries (50, and counting).
Sure, Kamara is on a historic pace to replace him someday. The young superstar already ranks fifth in team history with 3,870 rushing yards and third with 46 touchdown runs. But Ingram would be the first to tell you how excited he feels to know his close friend and protégé is the next great up-and-comer in New Orleans. And with at least a year and a half to go, he’s going to continue to challenge Kamara for those accomplishments.
[lawrence-newsletter]