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Mark Ingram cries after message from jailed dad

April 29, 2011 / 12:11 PM EDT / CBS News

The dramatic story of Mark Ingram - Junior and Senior - came to an emotional head Thursday night in New York City at the NFL draft.

After being picked by the New Orleans Saints with the 28th pick in the draft, the younger Ingram couldn't hold back the tears when an email from his father was read to him by ESPN's Suzy Kolber (see video at left).

The elder Ingram could not be there in person to witness his son's big moment because he is serving a seven-year sentence for money laundering and bank fraud. (His sentence was lengthened after he jumped bail in 2009 to watch his son play in the Sugar Bowl.)

Mark Jr., who won the 2009 Heisman Trophy at Alabama, learned the game from his dad beginning at age 3. Mark Sr. was a 10-year NFL pro and a 1991 Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants.

The reaction is no surprise considering the bond the two share. As Mark Ingram Jr. told CBS News' Jeff Glor in 2009: "He's not only my father, he's my best friend too."

See Glor's 2009 report on Ingram here:

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith is a managing editor for CBSNews.com based in New York. A Washington, D.C. native, Steve was previously an editorial producer for the Washington Post, and has also worked in Los Angeles, Boston and Tokyo.

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