A Crimson Tide legend visiting fall camp is great vibes for Kalen DeBoer

More and more, Kalen DeBoer is starting to get "it" as it pertains to being the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. His comments before fall camp pointed to a man who fully understands the weight of the job he undertook. He knows what it's going to take now, week by week, to get Alabama back to the standard that was set by so many former legendary players to come through the program.

He also understands the value of having those former, legendary players around the program. When you have an alumni base, particularly from the Nick Saban era, that is littered with former collegiate and NFL stars, having them hang around practice resonates with the current crop of players. They grew up idolizing them, watching them on Saturdays and Sundays, and pretending to be them in the backyard.

On Tuesday, one of those legendary players, former Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, stopped by practice and spoke to the team:

Mark Ingram is as legendary as it gets in Alabama football history

As far as legendary Alabama players go, they don't get much more iconic than Ingram. There are also not many former players who unabashedly cheer on the university like he does, regardless of his job on FOX for Big Noon Kickoff.

Ingram was Alabama's first-ever Heisman Trophy winner in 2009, laying the groundwork for three others who have followed in Derrick Henry (2015), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021). Ingram was the focal point of the 2009 Alabama offense for a team that ultimately won the National Championship for the first time under Nick Saban.

Ingram didn't need to do anything at the professional level to solidify his standing as an all-time Alabama great, and yet he went on to a strong professional career, rushing for over 8000 yards and ending his career as the all-time leading rusher in New Orleans Saints history.

Ingram has been a terrific ambassador for the University of Alabama since his playing days. He has earned the moniker of "King Gump" by Alabama football fans due to his unwavering support of the Crimson Tide. He's never shied away from repping Alabama everywhere he goes, even in the thick of Big Ten country on Big Noon Kickoff.

Ingram's visit to Tuscaloosa also included joining Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe on their "New Wave Podcast", leading to this terrific photo op:

DeBoer has continued a tradition brought forth by Nick Saban to allow almost unrestricted access to the program and the facilities for former players. They both know the value of having legendary figures like Ingram around the team.