Mark Ingram Returns Home to Host 7-on-7 Tourney This Weekend

It's not just football that Flint Native and NFL standout player Mark Ingram is passionate about. The Heisman Trophy winner has continually given back to local communities during his career. In addition to everything he's done for Flint, he's been recognized for his charitable endeavors during his time in New Orleans. Ingram will be joining a new community when he starts the new season as a Baltimore Raven, but he hasn't forgotten about all of us back home in Flint.

Mark is back in town this weekend for the inaugural Mark Ingram 7-on-7 Vehicle City Classic, which takes place Saturday from 9am-5pm at Hamady High School and the Hawks' old field at Academy West near the corner of Pierson and Jennings Roads. Admission to the watch the tournament is free.

The tournament will feature some of the teams and players slated to be among the Flint-area’s best next fall, including Beecher, Carman-Ainsworth, Clio, Flint, Goodrich, Grand Blanc (a team Ingram himself played for along with Flint Southwestern), Hamady, and New Lothrop. Organizers are hoping to see teams from Linden and Saginaw participate in the tournament as well. Each game will be played on a 40-yard field with 25-minute clocks.

The winning team will receive a championship trophy with all participating players receiving a T-shirt and medal. The Mark Ingram Foundation is covering the cost for the event aside from the team entry fee of $125 that will go to referee costs.

Shonda Ingram, Mark's mother told us that they hope to grow the event even more next year. "We are looking to have not only the tournament, but a camp as well." Ingram started the Mark Ingram Foundation to help and aid young people experiencing the complexities of life with an incarcerated parent, something Mark himself knows first hand. He rose above and now that experience fuels his desire to assist at-risk youth with incarcerated parents.

Giving back is something Mark Ingram has done since day one, and through his foundation, he looks to inspire these children to know that they don’t have to go down the same path as their parents and that they too can accomplish great things.

If you would like more information on how you can donate to Mark Ingram Foundation, visit their website at http://markingram.org/.