Meet Alec Ingold: Five Questions with Youth Inc.'s Football Ambassador
Alec Ingold, a fullback for the Miami Dolphins, is celebrated for his versatility on the field and his commitment off it. A three-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, Ingold is Youth Inc.'s football ambassador.
We asked Alec five questions about the memories, mentors and mindsets that have shaped his journey.
1. What is your favorite youth sports memory?
My favorite youth sports memory was during my first year playing tackle football. I remember our coach going above and beyond with making things super tough. From pushing trucks to high knees and professional football drills, our pop warner practices were tough and demanding. Despite how hard practices were, our entire team loved it. I remember feeling like Green Bay Packers as we were running drills.
2. Who has been the most influential person or coach in your life?
My dad was one of my most influential coaches. He coached me in wrestling and pushed me to have a standard of excellence on the mat. Through that experience, I learned the value of toughness and work ethic – both on the mat and in everyday life. Watching how my dad applied those same principles to provide for our family made a lasting impact. Those lessons learned in the wrestling room became lessons for life, shaping how I approach challenges beyond sports.
3. What's one lesson that you've learned through your sport that has shaped your life?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from sports is how to respond—whether it’s to a win, a loss, adversity, or success. I believe that every moment and every play has the potential to be best one yet. It taught me that while you can’t always control your circumstances, you can control how you respond to them. That mindset, being present and intentional about how I react, has carried over into every area of my life.
4. What advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
I wish he could tell my 10-year-old self “you’re not going to be perfect, so pursue greatness.” As someone who has always been a perfectionist, I admit that it’s difficult to sacrifice the pursuit of perfection. But over time, I've learned that it’s more important to focus on giving your best effort and controlling what you can. That shift in mindset —trading perfection for purpose and effort — is advice I wish I had much earlier in life.
