Texans Ex Mark Ingram Joins J.J. Watt, Hired for TV Job

Former Houston Texans running back Mark Ingram has landed an impressive first gig as he transitions into retirement.

J.J. Watt isn't the only former Houston Texan who will be beginning his post-playing career with a job in sports media this fall. 

Running back Mark Ingram announced this week that he's signed a contract with FOX Sports, which will see him immediately join "Big Noon Kickoff," the increasingly-popular pregame show that leads into the network's Saturday slate of college football games. 

"I'm thrilled to join FOX Sports and Big Noon Kickoff," Ingram said. "I can't wait to feel the energy and excitement every Saturday, alongside some of the most talented and entertaining names in our sport, at the biggest games in college football -- I'm ready for the Fall!"

Ingram will join the likes of former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, former Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson and three-time National Championship-winning coach Urban Meyer on "Big Noon Kickoff," which is hosted by Rob Stone. Ingram will seemingly replace former USC running back Reggie Bush, who will not return to the show in 2023. 

For Ingram, this transition comes after a 12-year NFL career that was spent primarily with the New Orleans Saints, but featured brief stints with the Texans and Baltimore Ravens. Ingram played in seven games for the Texans during the 2021 season, rushing for 294 yards and one touchdown before being traded back to the Saints. The 33-year-old hasn't retired from the NFL, but seemingly if he had any legitimate offers, he would have jumped at them by now. Instead, it would appear that his playing career will wrap up with 8,111 rushing yards. 

Of course, for as much success as Ingram had at the NFL level, he was even better collegiately. During three seasons at Alabama, Ingram peaked by winning the Heisman Trophy during his sophomore season of 2009, where he rushed for 1,658 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns. 

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