Even though Mark Ingram’s NFL playing days are not officially over, the running back will be starting a new chapter of his career Saturday when Big Noon Kickoff airs on FOX before the Colorado-TCU game.
Ingram was a guest on the Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast this week and mentioned that he always wanted to have some involvement in sports media.
“I remember waking up, middle school, high school watching College Gameday almost every Saturday morning. Went to college and I studied communications as well. Just kind of been interested in that field. I’ve always loved sports, all competitive sports. Just being a young kid watching NBA Finals. College game days, Super Bowls, Olympic Track races. I loved being involved in sports and hearing the broadcasting, announcers, pregame, halftime.”
In terms of Ingram’s big break in the broadcasting space, he mentioned two opportunities that might have helped him get in the door at FOX. One was attending the NFL’s broadcast bootcamp, where a Big Noon producer saw him in action. The other came thanks to Erin Andrews while he was playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
“They said I was on their radar when it was a TNF game in Baltimore. It was me and Lamar Jackson and Erin Andrews gave me the mic and wanted me to interview Lamar. She said send it to the studio. I’m like, ‘You know what? Thursday Night Football In America, back to the studio.’ They said that was one of the funnest moments they had.”
Ingram is leaving the door open to join an NFL roster later in the season and said he had some options to continue playing, but FOX presented an opportunity he did not want to miss.
“I was a free agent. I’m receiving some calls, but nothing that is going to make me jump too soon. If I do play another 1-3 years, that is still not long. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an opportunity where I can get in the door with a great network, a great position at a desk on a premiere college football show and be able to grow in the industry, continue to improve, continue to get better, and hopefully be able to do this career for 20-30 years. It all just kind of fell into position for me.”
