By Jesse Scott | Images by James Woodley
Alec Ingold has redefined what it means to play fullback in right now’s NFL—and what it means to steer off the sphere. As soon as an undrafted prospect, now a Professional Bowler and the league’s highest-paid participant at his place, the Miami Dolphins star has turn out to be a real man of innovation, utilizing grit, management, and objective to alter each the sport and his neighborhood.
By way of his Ingold Household Basis, the Wisconsin native turned South Florida resident is creating applications that empower foster youth, educate monetary literacy, and construct neighborhood. “I want to be known as a great fullback and a better person,” Ingold lately informed Life-style. “If I can help people along the way, that’s a purposeful job well done.”
From internet hosting mentorship camps to constructing playgrounds, Ingold is redefining the function of knowledgeable athlete. He’s main simply as a lot in the neighborhood as he does between the hash marks. That drive traces again to his roots in Inexperienced Bay, a metropolis the place he says every part strikes “a little slower” and values are rooted in laborious work and household. Raised by adoptive mother and father who set a excessive bar—his father, Pat, was a two-time All-American wrestler, whereas his mom, Chris, is a longtime trainer—Ingold realized self-discipline and resilience early.
After enjoying quarterback in highschool, he transformed to fullback on the College of Wisconsin, embracing the gritty, unsung place that calls for toughness and selflessness. That adaptability has been a theme all through his journey.
Undrafted in 2019, he signed with the Oakland Raiders and earned a roster spot by willpower and his knack for doing the soiled work. In Miami, he’s turn out to be one in all head coach Mike McDaniel’s most trusted items, serving to energy a Dolphins offense constructed on pace and creativity. “I’ve always taken pride in being assignment sound,” he says. “Early in my career it was all about mastering technique and making sure I knew exactly where to be. Now I get to bring personality to plays, to bring them to life. It’s fun to see guys’ different styles come out on the field.”
That blend of precision and character has made Ingold a pure chief in Miami’s locker room. Teammates describe him because the tone-setter on the sphere and a quiet, regular voice off it. “I like to speak softly and carry a big stick,” he says, echoing Theodore Roosevelt’s well-known line. Having been with the Dolphins for the reason that 2022 season, Ingold is embracing the management facet of soccer greater than ever. He says he “geeks out” on mindset, technique, and the alchemy of a robust locker room. “If you saw us all on the street, you’d probably think none of us have much in common,” he says. “But football brings us together. We see and hear things as one. That’s when special things happen.”
However for Ingold, management isn’t confined to the locker room. His most enduring affect might come from the work he’s constructing away from soccer. Impressed by his personal adoption story, he created the Ingold Household Basis to spend money on foster youth, educate life expertise, and supply assets for teenagers who might not have a robust assist system. “I grew up in a picture-perfect adoption story,” he says. “My parents gave me love and stability, but not every kid in the system gets that. That’s why this work matters so much.”
Certainly one of his proudest efforts is the Money Mini Camp, a monetary literacy and private growth program he runs with Broward Public Faculties. This yr, this system served greater than 200 college students at Flanagan Excessive Faculty, educating every part from budgeting to public talking. “We had a student stand up and share his adoption story for the first time in front of classmates,” Ingold remembers. “That courage created a magic moment of respect and understanding. Those moments stick with you forever.”
Past lecture rooms, Ingold’s basis is investing in play areas and neighborhood applications. His Presents In Gold marketing campaign raised over $16,000 to construct a brand new playground at SOS Kids’s Villages Florida in Coconut Creek. In partnership with Weston Jewelers, the initiative is making a secure, inclusive area for youngsters in foster care. “Playgrounds aren’t just places to play,” he says. “They’re where kids build confidence, friendships and memories. Every child deserves that.”
It’s a mission his spouse, Alexa, additionally shares. The 2 first met at a highschool homecoming dance in Wisconsin and have been married in June 2023. Like Alec, Alexa is a former athlete—she performed varsity basketball in highschool—earlier than pursuing a profession in healthcare. In the present day she runs her personal purposeful medication follow whereas additionally supporting the muse’s neighborhood work.
Life off the sphere displays that very same steadiness of self-discipline and ease. The Ingolds have absolutely embraced South Florida residing, settling in Broward County the place they spend downtime strolling their two canines, enjoying pickleball and tennis, and exploring the area’s eating scene. Alec is a golf fanatic, typically enjoying with teammates within the offseason, and each are loyal followers of Circle Home Espresso, a neighborhood store owned by former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch. “Being where your feet are is huge,” Ingold says. “We can all get swept up in busy lives, but there’s so much beauty here. Slowing down and enjoying those moments is something I try to do every day.”
That perspective has helped him climate the bodily and psychological checks of knowledgeable soccer profession. In 2021, Ingold suffered a torn ACL that reduce his season quick, however he returned to motion in 2022 stronger than ever. This summer time, he frolicked in concussion protocol throughout coaching camp, however was again training in full pads inside weeks. His resilience is a part of what makes him such a revered presence within the Dolphins’ locker room and within the lives of so many.
And but, Ingold is aware of the sport gained’t final ceaselessly. What’s going to endure is the instance he units by service and authenticity. His function as an NFL fullback could also be thought of old-school—a place as soon as central to bruising, run-heavy offenses however much less widespread in right now’s speed-driven recreation—however his strategy to management and repair is completely fashionable. He’s constructed a private model rooted in authenticity, turning his platform right into a software for change. As a nationwide spokesperson for AdoptUSKids, Ingold has shared his story with audiences across the nation, inspiring households to think about adoption and shining a lightweight on youngsters within the foster care system. His long-term imaginative and prescient extends past his enjoying days. “There’s always room to grow in how you pour into people,” he says. “I want to build authentic relationships, treat people how they need to be treated and create spaces where kids feel seen and supported.”
Ingold is aware of soccer doesn’t final ceaselessly, however his impression will. “If I can use this platform to inspire someone or give them hope, that’s what matters,” he says. “Football has given me so much, and I’m going to keep giving back as long as I can.” As he embarks on one other season with the Dolphins, Ingold stays targeted on each profitable video games and making a distinction. With Alexa by his facet, he’s constructing a legacy that blends custom, objective, and coronary heart. For Alec Ingold, that’s the final word measure of success.
