The next two entrants into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame have been announced, and even the youngest of Saints fans will know why they deserve that honor.
Former Saints LT Terron Armstead and RB Mark Ingram were the 2026 inductees. Longtime Caesars Superdome press box security supervisor Sal La Rock is the Joe Gemelli "Fleur de Lis" award recipient. Armstead officially retired from the NFL prior to last season, while Ingram's last season was with the Saints in 2022.
"Being in this hall of fame, for this organization representing this city. I couldn't write a better story," Armstead said. "It's perfect for me, it's perfect for my family. This is everything for me. This is I made it. I finally feel like I made it. This is the pinnacle, this is the reach, this is the goal."
Hear exclusive interviews with Terron Armstead and Mark Ingram Thursday afternoon on SportsTalk.
Armstead's career represents one of the best draft finds in Saints history. He starred at Arkansas Pine-Bluff and gained pre-draft notoriety by running the fastest 40-yard dash time in combine history for an offensive linemen. Saints GM Mickey Loomis has joked previously that the team was disappointed to see that, because it meant he'd land on the radar of other teams. The Saints selected Armstead in the third round in the 2013 draft and he went on to appear in 131 games for the Saints (131 starts) and was a key piece of an offense that helped lead New Orleans to the most wins in the NFL from 2017-'20. Armstead was named to the Pro Bowl three consecutive years and also landed on an All-Pro team. He departed in free agency in 2022 and made another two Pro Bowls as a member of the Dolphins.
After officially retiring last year, Armstead returned to New Orleans for an extended and tearful press conference to thank the organization and city for its belief and support. He now hosts a popular podcast and YouTube show called "The Set" and helps coach the new era of linemen during the offseason.
"The Saints will always be me," he continued. "I will always be a Saints for the rest of my life, and we will always represent the black and gold no matter what I do, where I go."
Ingram's story was much different both in how it started and ended. The Heisman trophy winner was the No. 28 pick in the 2011 draft -- a class that also included Cam Jordan -- and arrived in New Orleans with sky-high expectations. His career got off to a bit of a slow start, but in Years 4-7 with the Saints he averaged just shy of 1,000 yards per year, eclipsing that threshold twice. He remains the last Saints running back to break the 1,000-yard barrier in a season with his 1,124 yards in 2017, which he did while operating in a tandem with rookie Alvin Kamara.
Ingram departed in free agency the following offseason just a handful of yards shy of the franchise rushing record, spending the next three seasons split between the Ravens and Texans. He ultimately returned via trade in 2021 and broke the record -- which has since been eclipsed by Kamara -- finishing his Saints career with an even 6,500 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns, along with another 1,804 receiving yards and five TDs.
Ingram recalled the story of his draft night, when he was originally believed to be a top-20 selection but fell down the board. That slide ended when Saints GM Mickey Loomis called to let him know that they'd be trading up to pick him.
"He's like, 'yo mark, it's Mickey Loomis. We just traded back into the first round to come get you. Everyone is going crazy over here.' And ever since that day I've been forever indebted to the New Orleans Saints and that fleur de lis," Ingram said.
He continued: "I'm thankful to be a part of such a city that embraced me and welcomed me and loved on me and still to this day, I walk through the airport I'm getting love. I go eat food, I'm getting love. And so the black and gold bleeds forever."
The official induction will be held at halftime of a Saints home game this season, with the official date to be announced at a later time.
