The Hype Man Heard Across The League: Mark Ingram

By Tendai M. '22

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, running back Mark Ingram was cut from The Ravens’ 53-man roster. The 10-year veteran was cut before going on to the final year of his 3-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Ingram was scheduled to earn 5 million dollars in 2021 for his final season under his contract. Ingram has been battling a recurring ankle injury for the past 2 years with the team, but was a healthy player for 4 of the team’s final 5 games. This included the two playoff games in the offseason. In the middle of the season, Ingram lost his starting spot to rookie J.K. Dobbins who came out of Ohio State University. Rookies, like Dobbins, added a needed strength to the team’s playing ability this season. Though Ingram lost his spot to newcomer Dobbins, Ingram and Dobbins’ relationship was anything but strained. Ingram became a mentor to Dobbins during the season, while taking on the role of a big brother. Ingram’s run in the bird city was very short. but the energy he brought into the franchise and the city will last forever.The purple city must reflect on the history of Mark Ingram from Heisman to pro that molded him into the all-around guy he is now. 

After graduating from Southwestern Classical Academy in Flint, Michigan, Ingram went on to play for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama. Ingram was a true freshman coming into his college career. His sophomore year in 2009 was nothing but monumental. He ran for 1658 rushing yards and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. Ingram helped lead the Crimson Tide to the National title, which got him the nomination for the Heisman trophy which he later won in December. Ingram became the first Alabama player to win a Heisman. He also was the first running back to win the award since Reggie Bush. On top of all that, Mark Ingram became the youngest person to win the award at 19 years old. Closing out his college career, Ingram ran for 875 yards and had 13 rushing touchdowns in his junior year before enlisting in the 2011 NFL draft. There, the New Orleans Saints drafted him with the 28th pick during the 1st round. Ingram made his first appearance in a Pro Bowl three years later in 2014 where down the line he would go to one more under the saints franchise in 2017. His 2016-2017 record season was the reason for this. He ran for 1124 rushing yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns in all. Ingram was traded to Baltimore during the 2018 offseason. During his respected career in New Orleans, Ingram ran for 6,007 rushing yards and scored 50 touchdowns.

When touched down in Baltimore, Ingram was not only setting a positive tone in the locker room, but also on the field. Ingram established a brotherhood with his teammates and always kept the atmosphere playful. During the 2019-2020 season, Ingram gained the attention of pupils across the football league when he became his quarterback, Lamar Jackson’s hype man. During this time, his mantra “Big Truss” became renowned and later turned into “Big Truzz.” Everyone from athletes to newscasters to fans to even Drake were chanting “Big Truzz” which brought a sense of comradery to the Ravens’ community. Ingram was an all around guy that anyone could rely on. He brought a special presence to the team and franchise. In the statement the Ravens organization released after releasing the running back, Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta said,” Mark is a talented winner who brought passion, toughness, leadership and chemistry to the Ravens.”  During his rookie season with the Ravens, he ran for 1018 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns. This earned him his latest trip to the 2019 Pro Bowl. Ingram closed out his time in Baltimore by completing 1,317 rushing yards and scoring 12 rushing touchdowns.

The legacy Mark Ingram will have in the great city of Baltimore, both with “Big truzz” and just as an upright human being, will not go unspoken. Ingram has taught the city what being a team player looks like and what the product of brotherhood is. In regards to his release, Ingram took it to Twitter and said, “Thank you Mr.Bisciotti and the Ravens for being a first class organization. I love the real ones in flock nation that supported me and showed luv! My blood brothers, whats understood Ain gotta be explained. Best is still ahead, cant wait! Watch God work.#GodWins#BigTrussForever.” The love the city will always have for their running back is equally reciprocated. With the offseason in full swing and trades and new pickups from teams to be anticipated, there will be teams open for the (now) free agent Ingram. Whichever team acquires Ingram will get not only a star-studded athlete but most importantly a player who cares more about the success of his teammates and holds nothing but loyalty. The city of Baltimore is more than thankful for the gift it received known as Mark Ingram.