Saturday is Mark Ingram Day in Flint, Mich.

Saturday is officially Mark Ingram Day in Flint, Mich.

“I’m issuing a proclamation designating Saturday, Dec. 12, as Mark Ingram Day in Flint. So, we’ll be watching with great anticipation,” Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said, referring to Saturday night’s televised presentation of the Heisman Trophy.

“We understand Mark is going to be back in town for a couple days around the Christmas holidays and we will put together a citywide celebration for him and present him with a key to the city and just show him how much we all appreciate what he’s accomplished on and off the field. He’s made the dean’s list at Alabama and was a standout high school student as well as an athlete.”

Flint Southwestern also is planning a ceremony in January for the University of Alabama player, where the school will retire Ingram’s No. 7 football jersey.

There have been a number of tremendous football players to come out of Flint — including Rick Leach and Booker Moore — but Ingram would shoot to the top of the list by winning the Heisman.

“He’s just a cut above everyone we’ve had here,” Southwestern athletic director Elbert Hicks said. “With all the negative press you hear about Flint, it’s good to hear something positive coming out of Flint. It’s been great to have Mark as the leading candidate for the Heisman.”

Ingram was rated the sixth-best player in Michigan by Rivals.com coming out of Southwestern in 2007. He ran for 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns his senior season.

Two years later, he’s one of the best college players in America.

“It’s not surprising that he’s had this kind of season,” said former Flint Southwestern football coach Gary Lee, who coached Ingram in 2007.

“I wish you could see him work out. I wish you could see him practice. He practices so hard that you just say ‘wow.’ He works at being good when he’s already naturally good.”

Ingram is on the grandest of stages, but he’s never forgotten where he’s been and how he’s gotten to the top.

“It’s real important for Flint. Just the situation that Flint’s been in and the rough times that have gone on back home,” Ingram said.

“It just gives a kid something to look up to and something to look forward to. ... I’m proud that I can try and be a role model for kids coming back.”