Clint Ingram Aspires to Greatness

NORMAN, Okla. -- A good athlete can be defined as someone who is bigger, faster, and stronger than the competition. A great athlete is someone who is willing to work harder than everyone else. Throughout his life, Clint Ingram has aspired to greatness.

"My dad taught me while I was growing up that if I want to be as good or better than the next person, I had to put in the extra work," Ingram said. "He would tell me that everyone else is doing the regular stuff. To get ahead, I would need to work constantly in my free time."

Throughout his life, the Hallsville, Texas, native had the ability to pick up things quickly. What he didn't learn quickly, he would practice over and over until he got it. His versatility on the football field allowed him to switch between different positions, including playing receiver in high school. Baseball, basketball, and track also were among his athletic endeavors - he received a few offers to play basketball in college.

Ingram Bio, Stats & Photos | Sooner Gameday Central - Nebraska

But most surprising are his non-athletic talents - he can cut hair and cook as well.

"I can cook just about anything," Ingram said. "My grandma taught me how to cook. The best thing I can make is probably barbeque. If I'm cooking soul food, I'll do some smothered pork chops and candied yams. My whole family can cook. It's kind of something that gets passed down."

That's not all that got passed down. Ingram's uncle, Robert Newhouse, was a running back for the 1977 World Champion Dallas Cowboys. Other uncles and cousins have also played football in college, setting the bar at a high mark for Ingram to reach. His development started at a very young age.

"Clint always had athletic ability," said his father, Leslie Ingram. "He always played with his cousins who were two or three years older, so that always kept his level of play up.

"He was always independent," the elder Ingram said. "He never really liked toys that much. He was more interested in being outside. And he definitely wasn't a lap baby. He would wiggle until you put him down."

Ingram's father believes that his son's hard work is evident in all aspects of his life, with his determination to stand out from others holding true off the field.

"I'm most proud of his independence," Ingram's father said. "Off the field, I'm proud of the fact that he's self-led. He's never really been influenced by what others are doing and he's never felt like he had to give into peer pressure to fit into a group."

That independence, combined with a strong work ethic, has made the OU senior captain the standout player that he is today. Ingram realizes the effort he has put forth on and off the field is paying off. Everything about his attitude involves working hard to get the results.

"I want to be successful in whatever I do," Ingram said. "I want to give it everything I have. I think my work ethic and toughness make me different on the field."

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Sooner Feature by Ashley Turner
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