Kansas City Chiefs player, Carthage native Keaontay Ingram makes special trip home after Super Bowl Championship win

CARTHAGE, Texas (KLTV) – NFL running back Keaontay Ingram knows what it’s like to meet football fans, but in his hometown of Carthage, those fans are also family.

“It’s just awesome to see how much they love me,” Ingram told us with a smile. “It just puts warmth in my heart.”

Ingram took a moment to take in his old practice facility at the Carthage High School campus prior to a public meet and greet. It was the first time many of his fellow Carthaginians, friends, former classmates, teachers and admirers got to see him since the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win last month.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Ingram humbly admitted at the 50 yard line. “Just walking around, everyone asking ‘how does it feel to win the Super Bowl? To win the Super Bowl?’ To me it’s just normal. It’s just me playing football and I guess when you work hard you achieve things like that… so to have that in my repertoire, I’m very thankful for it.”

Ingram was a key part of back-to-back state wins for the Carthage Bulldogs in 2016 and 2017. But being back in “Bulldog country” wasn’t just a full circle moment for this student-turned-pro.

“I’m so proud of his work and ethics and everything,” said long-time Carthage Bulldogs announcer Carl Hedges. “I mean there’s only one Keaontay Ingram and that’s that man.”

Hedges is among the many who’ve watched Ingram’s talents grow since he was a middle school player.

“You know he’s very talented obviously but he’s a warrior,” said Carthage head coach Scott Surratt. “It’s awesome. He’s the first one, in my tenure of 17 years here, to play in the NFL. That’s awesome to see one of your players be so successful, especially a great young man like he is. You know whatever he does… if he plays in the NFL for 6, 8, 10 more years, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to be very successful in whatever he chooses to do after the NFL.”

Until then, Ingram tells us he’s still learning from leaders like fellow East Texan and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“We kind of know what we’re kind of looking at, what we want,” Ingram explained. “The rhythm, the timing, and everything. So when we talk… it’s Texas football talk, so it’s a lingo. We just understand each other and we just click.”

As for those sparkly Super Bowl championship rings, Ingram said it only makes sense it goes right next to his hard-earned state jewelry. “It’s got to! It has to!”

Ingram spent a majority of his time signing footballs, t-shirts and rookie cards. Many of those requests came from the next generation of football-hopefuls, looking up at his example of hard work and determination.

As for the next season, Ingram explained he’s ready for another chance to do what he loves.

“Like I do with any other team that I’ve been to before, just going in and earning their trust and just be me at the end of the day. That’s all I can be and show what I can do.”

Ingram returns to workouts Monday.