Patrick Peterson takes his first chomp

Mark Ingram

MARDI GRAS WORLD - On the eve of the BCS Championship, NOLA Defender caught up with Patrick Peterson and Mark Ingram, as the footballers were hosting a BCS addition to the Carnival social calendar: The Crystal Ball. The athletes offered up some predictions for the game, talked about Mardi Gras, sampled some king cake, and answered the question, “Where do you store a Heisman?”

Neither player shied away from predicting a score for tonight’s BCS Championship matchup. Both men paused thoughtfully when asked the question, and then offered the same digits: 24-17. Peterson, who played for the Tigers from 2008-10 before becoming a pro-bowler for the Arizona Cardinals, picked LSU to hold the higher score. While, Ingram, now a Saint, but previously a Heisman winner at Alabama, chose his alma mater to come out on top. All agreed that the game would be tough.

READ: BCS Championship Hype in Review

Peterson wore the number 7 in his LSU playing days, and a young rookie from New Orleans named Tyrann Mathieu, - then nicknamed Tyrannosaurus Rex - donned a purple 14. When Peterson left, Matheiu came into his own, earned the Honey Badger moniker, and assumed the number 7. It seems that this was one case where the Honey Badger did not simply take what he wanted. Peterson explains that permission was granted first.

“Tyrann actually asked me for the jersey, and I agreed as I knew he would play well wearing the number 7 jersey,” he said. Peterson, an amicable and understated character, smiled broadly as he mentioned Mathieu playing well.
 

Buoyed by Petersen’s likable nature, NoDef decided to venture a little closer to taboo, and discuss the memorable 2009 interception versus Alabama, and his subsequent mugging at the hands of the officiating staff. Peterson was nonplussed when asked if he looks back on the play. 

“Not really, it is all part of the game," he said.
 

NoDef also could not resist asking Ingram where he keeps his actual
Heisman trophy. Ingram smiled, and gently noted that his mother takes
care of the statue for him.

Conversation turned quickly to NOLA’s other great love: Mardi Gras. Peterson, clearly fond of his Louisiana days and friends, noted that Mardi Gras was one experience that eluded him, but not for long. “They gave us a three day break for the holiday, but I used the time to go home and see my family in Florida. But, my fiancee is from here, and I’m learning lots about it fast.”
 

Peterson had heard of King Cake, but had never eaten a slice. NoDef was happy to oblige, cutting the cornerback his first slice, a beauty from Sucre. Petersen took a mid sized bite, and began to smile as he chewed. “Good. This is really good.” Soon, he was fielding questions from his entourage about the cake.
 

Ingram, on the other hand, was a nearly Mardi Gras veteran. 

“I’ve been to some Mardi Gras festivities, but not Mardi Gras day. I’ve been here for the weekend because my roommate was from New Orleans.” Ingram
smiled knowingly when asked if he is familiar with kingcake. He also consented to sample the Sucre cake, “This is good. Good King Cake,” he said.