Derrick Henry is an elite American football running back widely regarded for his rare combination of size, speed, and physical dominance. Born on January 4, 1994, in Yulee, Florida, Henry first rose to prominence at Yulee High School, where he set the all-time national high school career rushing yards record with 12,124 yards. His imposing 6-foot-3 frame and ability to outrun defenders made him a standout from an early age.
He went on to play college football at the University of Alabama from 2013 to 2015. Under coach Nick Saban, Henry developed into one of the most formidable backs in the country. In his junior season, he rushed for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns, breaking Herschel Walker’s long-standing SEC rushing record. His exceptional performance led to numerous accolades, including the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award, while also helping Alabama secure the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Henry declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft (45th overall). While he initially shared the backfield with DeMarco Murray, Henry gradually became the Titans’ feature back. By 2018, he established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous rushers, notably recording a 99-yard touchdown run that tied the longest in NFL history.
In 2019, Henry led the NFL in both rushing yards (1,540) and rushing touchdowns (16), guiding the Titans to an AFC Championship Game appearance. He elevated his game further in 2020, becoming just the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season (2,027), earning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award and cementing his status among the league’s best. His running style—marked by violent stiff-arms, long breakaway runs, and punishing physicality—made him a nightmare for defenders and a fan favourite.
Despite injuries affecting part of his 2021 season, Henry remained a focal point of the Titans’ offence. By 2023, he had surpassed 9,000 career rushing yards and remained one of the league’s most productive players.
In 2024, Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens, joining a franchise known for its strong run game. His addition brought further balance and firepower to a team led by quarterback Lamar Jackson. Henry continues to be recognised for his work ethic, leadership, and consistency on and off the field.
Throughout his NFL career, Derrick Henry has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections, Second-Team All-Pro honours, and the respect of players and analysts alike. Off the field, he is known for his philanthropy and commitment to youth initiatives, frequently giving back to his Florida hometown and supporting educational and athletic programs. His career stands as a modern example of power running in the NFL, combining old-school grit with elite athleticism.
Derrick Henry played college football at the University of Alabama from 2013 to 2015. After joining the Crimson Tide as one of the most celebrated high school prospects in history, Henry gradually earned more playing time and displayed his powerful running style. In his sophomore year, he shared the backfield with T.J. Yeldon and showcased flashes of brilliance. Henry’s breakout came during his junior season in 2015, when he became the feature back and led the nation in rushing yards (2,219) and touchdowns (28). He broke Herschel Walker’s SEC single-season rushing record and led Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Championship. That same season, he won the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year, becoming the second Alabama player ever to win the Heisman. After declaring early for the NFL Draft, he left college as one of the most decorated running backs in NCAA history.
Derrick Henry was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft (45th overall) by the Tennessee Titans. During his first two seasons, he shared playing time with veteran DeMarco Murray, but he gradually emerged as the team’s primary back. Henry’s national breakout came in December 2018, when he recorded a 99-yard touchdown run against the Jaguars, tying the longest run in NFL history. In 2019, he led the league in rushing yards (1,540) and touchdowns (16), propelling the Titans to the AFC Championship Game.
The following year, Henry reached a historic milestone by rushing for 2,027 yards, becoming only the eighth player in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in a single season. His dominant performance earned him the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. He followed that with another strong campaign before injuries limited his availability in 2021. Nonetheless, he remained a cornerstone of Tennessee's offense through 2023, finishing his stint with the franchise as one of its all-time leading rushers, with multiple Pro Bowl selections and several franchise records.
In 2024, Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens, bringing his powerful running style to a team already known for a strong rushing identity. Paired with quarterback Lamar Jackson, Henry’s presence is expected to further elevate Baltimore’s offence. Known for his brute strength, long-speed, and signature stiff-arm, Henry has continued to be one of the most feared rushers in the NFL. As of 2025, he remains a dominant force and a respected veteran, admired for his leadership, consistency, and relentless playing style.
Derrick Henry does not have an international career in the traditional sense, as American football is primarily a domestic sport with no national team competitions like those seen in football (soccer) or basketball. However, his impact on the international popularity of the NFL is notable.
Derrick Henry leads a grounded and purpose-driven life off the field, marked by strong family values, community involvement, and a commitment to youth empowerment. Born in Yulee, Florida, Henry was raised primarily by his grandmother, Gladys, whom he has often credited as a guiding force in his life. Their close relationship remains central to his identity, and he frequently speaks about her influence in shaping his character, work ethic, and resilience.
Outside of football, Henry is known for his philanthropic work, most notably through his “Two All Foundation,” which focuses on supporting youth, promoting education, and uplifting under-resourced communities. The foundation provides scholarships, school supplies, mentorship, and wellness programs for children across Tennessee and his hometown in Florida. He has also hosted football camps and partnered with various organisations to address food insecurity and youth development.
In his personal life, Henry is a family man. He shares a daughter with his longtime partner Adrianna Rivas, and he often speaks about the joy and grounding presence fatherhood has brought into his life. He maintains a relatively private lifestyle, avoiding excessive media attention, and focusing instead on his family and community efforts.
Henry is also a fitness enthusiast and role model for discipline and healthy living, often showcasing his intense offseason training sessions on social media, which have inspired fans and young athletes alike. His interests extend to fashion and branding, where he has engaged in endorsements and collaborations with major sportswear companies.
Derrick Henry's legacy in football is defined by his rare blend of size, power, and speed, which has reshaped perceptions of what a modern NFL running back can be. Often compared to historic greats like Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson, Henry stands out for his ability to dominate games through sheer physicality while maintaining the agility and vision of a much smaller back.
At the University of Alabama, Henry cemented his collegiate legacy by winning the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, and Maxwell Award in 2015, while leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship and setting SEC records for rushing yards in a single season. His performance that year placed him among the greatest college running backs of all time.
In the NFL, Henry’s impact has been equally profound. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2016, he developed into one of the most feared runners in the league. His 2,000-yard rushing season in 2020 made him only the eighth player in NFL history to reach that milestone, earning him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honours. He also led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2020), showcasing his consistency and explosiveness.
Henry's iconic stiff-arm, ability to carry the ball 25+ times a game, and reputation for wearing down defences late in games have made him a symbol of old-school, power running in a pass-heavy era. His numerous highlight-reel plays, including a 99-yard touchdown run, have made him a fan favourite and a staple in discussions of elite NFL talent.
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