The Pro Bowl is a bittersweet moment for some players. You have the opportunity to play in one more game before the offseason but you rather be in the Super Bowl the following week. Los Angeles Chargers Melvin Ingram III can tell you first hand.
Before this week’s Pro Bowl, Ingram was last seen playing in the AFC Divisional Championship where they lost to the New England Patriots 28 to 41. The Patriots moved on to the AFC Championship, won against the Kansas City Chiefs and will now play in the Super Bowl February 3 in Atlanta.
“We should of won,” Ingram said.
The Chargers went 12-4 this season and Ingram had a total of seven sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. However, Ingram only had two tackles against the Patriots in that divisional round loss on January 13.
After that game, the defensive end Ingram said they didn’t accomplish anything despite a good season. He believes the finish line is when the team holds up the Lombardi Trophy and they didn’t do that.
“We haven’t accomplished sh**. We didn’t win the Super Bowl, we didn’t accomplish nothing. We’ve got a long way to go. Offseason we go to work hard. OTAs camp and get back to it.”
It’s been two weeks since then and Ingram is still suffering.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Ingram said walking away. “It breaks my heart.”
Despite the loss and depression, Ingram put a smile on and participated in several events including the Wounded Warrior Project Flag Football game at today’s first Pro Bowl Community Day at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
“It’s been cool,” Ingram said. “It’s a blessing for what they do. We want to show them that they matter that much.”
This is Ingram’s second Pro Bowl since starting his NFL career in 2012.
Watch Ingram go from having a good conversation to walking away with a heartache on the next page.