Melvin Ingram facts for kids
Ingram with the San Diego Chargers in 2015
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | April 26, 1989 Hamlet, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 250 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Richmond (Rockingham, North Carolina) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | South Carolina (2007–2011) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
Melvin Ingram III, born on April 26, 1989, is an American professional football player. He plays as a linebacker, a position that involves tackling opponents and stopping plays. Ingram played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was recognized as an All-American in 2011, which means he was one of the best college players in the country.
Ingram was chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. This was a big achievement, as only the top players are picked so early. He has also played for other NFL teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins.
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Early Life and High School
Melvin Ingram grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina. He went to Richmond Senior High School in Rockingham, North Carolina. During his senior year, he was a talented linebacker on the football team. He made 87 tackles and had 2.5 sacks. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
College Football Career
Ingram attended the University of South Carolina. He played for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team from 2007 to 2011. He started as a linebacker but later switched to defensive end. This position focuses on rushing the passer and stopping runs.
In 2010, as a junior, Ingram was a key player for his team. He led the Gamecocks with nine sacks. The next year, in 2011, he had an even better season. He recorded 10 sacks and 15 tackles that stopped opponents for a loss. He also made two interceptions, which means he caught passes meant for the other team.
Ingram even scored three touchdowns in 2011. Two of these touchdowns came in a game against the Georgia team. One was a 68-yard run during a fake punt play. The other was a 5-yard return after he recovered a fumble. His strong performance helped the Gamecocks defense become one of the best in the nation. He was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) and was a consensus All-American.
Professional Football Journey
Starting with the Chargers
The San Diego Chargers picked Melvin Ingram as the 18th overall player in the 2012 NFL draft. In his first year, he played in all 16 games. He helped the team by putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He also made 12 special teams tackles, which was tied for the most on the team.
In 2013, Ingram faced an injury that kept him off the field for most of the season. However, he returned later that year. In a game against the Oakland Raiders, he sacked their quarterback and forced a fumble. He also got his first postseason interception against the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2015, he continued to make big plays, like strip-sacking the Cleveland Browns quarterback and recovering the ball.
Big Contract and Pro Bowl
In 2017, the Chargers kept Ingram by placing the franchise tag on him. This meant they could keep him for another year. Later, he signed a large four-year contract with the team. He had an amazing September in 2017, earning the AFC Defensive Player of the Month award. He recorded 5.5 sacks that month, including three sacks in one game.
Ingram finished the 2017 season with 10.5 sacks and 56 tackles. His excellent play led to him being chosen for his first Pro Bowl. This is an honor given to the best players in the league each season. He was also ranked among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.
Team Goals and Injuries
Before the 2018 season, Ingram was very confident about the Chargers' chances. He said the team was ready to win the Super Bowl LIII. He believed in speaking goals into existence. However, the Chargers lost in the playoffs that year and did not reach the Super Bowl. In 2019, he again predicted a Super Bowl win for the Chargers. He said they were the team to beat in the NFL. Despite his confidence, the Chargers did not make the playoffs that season.
In 2020, Ingram dealt with a knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve twice that season. This meant he could not play in games while he recovered.
Moving to New Teams
After his time with the Chargers, Ingram joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Later that year, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. He continued to contribute to these teams' defenses.
In 2022, the Miami Dolphins signed Ingram to their team. He played for them during the 2022 season. In December 2023, the Dolphins signed him to their practice squad. He was then moved to the active roster in January 2024, allowing him to play in games again.
