A former NFL wide receiver, he played for several teams throughout his professional career, including the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins, the Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles, spanning from 1987 to 1996. Before he rose to prominence in the league, he was selected 28th overall in the 1987 NFL draft by the New York Giants. Prior to that, he had played college football at Michigan State University, where he developed the skills that would later define his professional career. Off the field, he raised one son, Mark Ingram Jr., who followed in his footsteps and went on to become a successful NFL running back.