Federal marshals Friday night arrested fugitive former Giants player Mark Ingram, who had failed to show up to start a prison term last month because he wanted to watch his son play in the Sugar Bowl, according to officials.

Ingram, 43, who disappeared Dec. 5, the day he was supposed to start a 7-year, 8-month prison sentence for money laundering, was arrested by federal marshals in a motel in Michigan just as he was sitting down to watch the game on TV, officials said. His son, also named Mark, is a star back for Alabama, which lost to Utah, 31-17.

Ingram, a star wide receiver for the Giants in the 1990 Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills, had earlier asked to have his prison sentence delayed so he could watch his son play in an earlier game against Florida. U.S. District Court Judge Denis Hurley denied that request.

Ingram was sentenced in September after he was convicted of trying to launder $100,000 in Uniondale, Long Island, for people he thought were drug dealers in an FBI sting operation.

Ingram also served a federal prison sentence in 2001 after being caught with $3,290 in counterfeit cash during a police sting in Miami.

Ingram sent Hurley a letter Dec. 11, saying that he had not surrendered to the federal prison in Ashland, Ky., because he had not been able to contact his attorney to discuss appeals, according to court records.

"I will surrender when these issues have been resolved," Ingram wrote.

Federal prosecutor Richard Donoghue has said that when it comes to court appearances, Ingram apparently believes they are "optional."

Friday night, Donoghue said, "In the game of life, Mr. Ingram apparently has fumbled, and the government is now in possession."