ROCKINGHAM — For the second year in a row, the Richmond Senior High School football program will receive a $10K grant from a former player.
Announced on Richmond’s Twitter page on Thursday morning, the Raiders will receive the National Football League Foundation’s Pro Bowl Champions Grant, awarded to the program by current Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram.
Ingram, who was born and raised in Hamlet and a 2006 graduate from Richmond, represented the Los Angeles Chargers on this year’s AFC team in Orlando.
The donation of $10,000 was awarded to the Raiders as part of a third-year initiative by the NFL Foundation.
According to its website, the financial grants are given by “Pro Bowl players on the winning team (who) may apply for a $10,000 NFL Foundation grant to be donated to the high school or youth football program of their choice.”
A spring ago, head coach Bryan Till and the Raiders also received the grant money from Ingram. That money was used to help build a sideline video station, among other projects.
“Melvin obviously had a choice who to give the grant to, and we’re really blessed and really honored to receive it again,” Till said. “His sister, Monique Ingram, helped take care of the paperwork, and it was a whole family affair, especially with having (Jamari) Broady still playing here.
“I’ve got some things in the weight room I’d like to do,” he added of where the money will be used. “This year I really want to make a difference in the way we train our guys and use this money to do it.”
Till explained that he’s getting quotes on several pieces of equipment, including tsunami bars, sleds, and other training equipment in the weightroom and on the practice field.
This season, Ingram, a 6-2, 265-pound defensive end, served as a replacement for teammate Joey Bosa. It was his third career selection and the AFC defeated the NFC 38-33.
During the 2019 regular season, Ingram wracked up 48 tackles and was second on the team in quarterback sacks behind Bosa with seven. He had a personal best two sacks against Oakland in Week 10 and intercepted one pass against Minnesota in Week 15.
In order to receive the grant from the NFL Foundation, the Raider program had to apply, and Till explained part of the process was to include RSHS’ demographics and what the program would spend the money on.
Since Ingram was on the winning team, it was his decision to donate it to his alma mater.
Last year, Ingram’s sister Callie Ingram, who teaches at Hamlet Middle School, was on hand to deliver the grant check. With the current situation regarding COVID-19, Till said the check will come to the school and be used for the upcoming season.
He plans to take photos of players with the new equipment once workouts and practices return to normal.
“There’s a lot of negativity right now and this is good news for all of us,” Till said of the donation.
“Since I’ve been (head coach), Melvin has come here several times and he served as an honorary captain last season,” he closed. “He constantly comes back, and chooses to do things he doesn’t have to. It’s great for our kids to see him, a tangible player who has been really successful in this game.”
ROSports reached out to Melvin Ingram but he wasn’t available for comment.
