Saints running back Mark Ingram twice was pulled by coach Sean Payton while the team was near the goal line during its 48-41 road win over the Cardinals on Sunday. After backup Tim Hightower scored the second time, Ingram was caught on camera (below) yelling at Payton before being ushered away by a teammate.
Ingram was fuming after the encounter but was able to calm himself with the help of teammates and apologized for the incident after the game.
MORE: Saints-Cardinals highlights
"I'm real competitive in everything I do, man," Ingram told reporters after the game, via ESPN. "So I gotta be smarter, gotta control my emotions better. But we had a great win as a team, and that's our No. 1 goal, and that's what I'm happy for — that we're bringing a win back to New Orleans."
Payton, who appeared to be trying to calm Ingram by putting his hand on his shoulder during the exchange, refused to talk about the incident afterward.
Ingram, however, was very remorseful.
"Coach is real cool. He's very understandable," said Ingram, who didn't specify what Payton told him. "Everybody calmed me down, man. That's what a family's about, that's what a team is. A team is a family. And I appreciate all those guys for being there for me and also being understanding."
MORE: Saints all but eliminated from playoffs
Contrary to a Fox Sports Radio report, Ingram does not have an incentive built into his contract that would have awarded him $100,000 for scoring a touchdown in the game. Ingram's incentives are tied to yards.
After rushing for 78 yards Sunday, Ingram is 150 from his first 1,000-yard season.