History of Derrick Henry in Timeline

Derrick Henry, nicknamed "King Henry", is a professional American football running back currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He is renowned for his powerful running style and physical stature. Notably, Henry holds the unique distinction of being the only player to have rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season at the high school, college, and professional levels, showcasing his consistent dominance throughout his football career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 4, 1994: Derrick Henry Born

On January 4, 1994, Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. was born. He is now a professional football running back.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Chris Johnson's 2000 Yard Season

Chris Johnson rushed for over 2000 yards in 2009.

2009: Freshman Season

In 2009, as a freshman at Yulee High School, Derrick Henry ran for 2,465 yards and 26 touchdowns.

2010: Track and Field

From 2010, Henry competed as a sprinter at Yulee.

2010: All-Coast Selection

In 2010, Derrick Henry was named a first-team All-Coast selection at running back after rushing for 2,788 yards and 38 touchdowns.

2011: Track and Field

From 2011, Henry competed as a sprinter at Yulee.

2011: All-Coast Honors

In 2011, Derrick Henry rushed for 2,610 yards and 34 scores as a junior to earn first-team All-Coast honors.

September 28, 2012: Committed to Alabama

On September 28, 2012, Derrick Henry committed to the University of Alabama.

February 3, 2013: Parade Magazine Cover

On February 3, 2013, Derrick Henry was featured on the cover of Parade magazine.

2013: College Football at Alabama

In 2013, Derrick Henry began playing college football for the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.

2013: U.S. Army All-American Bowl

In 2013, Derrick Henry played for the East squad in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he rushed for 53 yards with a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

2013: Rated No. 1 Athlete

In 2013, Derrick Henry was listed as the No. 1 athlete (player with no designated position) in the nation by ESPN.com.

2013: Freshman Season at Alabama

In 2013, as a true freshman, Derrick Henry rushed for 382 yards on 36 carries with three touchdowns at Alabama.

2014: "El Tractorcito" Nickname

During the 2014 Sugar Bowl, Spanish-language broadcaster Pablo Viruega on ESPN Deportes nicknamed Derrick Henry "El Tractorcito" (The Little Tractor) due to his long stride and powerful gait.

2014: Sophomore Season

During the 2014 season, Derrick Henry split a majority of the work in the backfield. He rushed for 990 yards on 172 carries with 11 touchdowns.

2015: College Success and Awards

In 2015, Derrick Henry broke Herschel Walker's single-season college rushing yards record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He also won the 2015 Heisman Trophy, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award.

2015: College Football at Alabama

In 2015, Derrick Henry played college football for the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.

2015: Starting Running Back

In 2015, Derrick Henry took over as the starting running back for Alabama as a junior. He rushed for SEC records 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries.

May 9, 2016: Signed with Tennessee Titans

On May 9, 2016, Derrick Henry signed a four-year, $5.40 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, including $3.30 million guaranteed and a $2.13 million signing bonus.

September 2, 2016: Jersey Number Change

On September 2, 2016, Derrick Henry donned the No. 22 jersey once running back Dexter McCluster was cut.

December 18, 2016: Two Touchdowns vs Chiefs

On December 18, 2016, Derrick Henry had nine rushing attempts for 58 rushing yards and a season-high two rushing touchdowns in a 19–17 road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

2016: Relationship with Adrianna Rivas

Derrick Henry began his relationship with Adrianna Rivas in 2016.

2016: National Championship victory over Clemson

During Alabama's 45-40 victory over Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, Derrick Henry rushed for 158 yards on 36 carries with three touchdowns.

2016: Rookie Season Stats

In 2016, Derrick Henry finished his rookie season with 110 carries for 490 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games and two starts. He also caught 13 passes for 137 yards.

2016: National Championship

In 2016, Derrick Henry was a key part of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team that won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.

2016: Drafted by the Titans

In 2016, Derrick Henry was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the NFL draft.

October 16, 2017: Career-Best Rushing Yards on Monday Night Football

On October 16, 2017, on Monday Night Football, Derrick Henry ran for a then career-best 131 yards on 19 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the 36–22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

May 4, 2018: Graduation and Article in The Players' Tribune

On May 4, 2018, Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama. On the same day, he published an article in The Players' Tribune.

2018: New Offensive Coordinator and Dion Lewis Acquisition

During the 2018 offseason, Matt LaFleur was hired as the Titans' new offensive coordinator and the team also acquired running back Dion Lewis.

2018: Graduation from Alabama

In 2018, Derrick Henry graduated from Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communications, fulfilling a promise to his late grandmother, Gladys Henry.

2018: Shopping Event for Teachers

In 2018, Derrick Henry hosted a shopping event for Metro Nashville Public School teachers.

2018: Emergence as Titans' Feature Back

Near the end of the 2018 season, Derrick Henry emerged as the Titans' feature running back.

November 2019: Hometown Welcome Sign

In November 2019, Derrick Henry's hometown of Yulee, Florida, honored him with a welcome sign funded by local residents and businesses.

2019: Two All Foundation Founded

In 2019, Derrick Henry founded the Two All Foundation, aiming to provide opportunities for youth, regardless of their backgrounds.

2019: Shopping Event for Teachers

In 2019, Derrick Henry hosted a shopping event for Metro Nashville Public School teachers.

2019: Holiday Layaway Payoff

In 2019, Derrick Henry partnered with Pay Away the Layaway to pay off 50 layaways totaling $10,000 at Burlington in the 100 Oaks Shopping Mall.

2019: Led NFL in Rushing Yards and Touchdowns

In the 2019 season, Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards and was tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns with Aaron Jones.

2020: 2000+ Rushing Yards and Offensive Player of the Year

In 2020, Derrick Henry again led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns and became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. In 2020, Henry won the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

March 2021: Donation to Firefighter

In March 2021, Derrick Henry donated $10,000 to Nashville firefighter Jeremy Taylor and his family, who lost their home and belongings.

September 2021: Back-to-School Event with Boys & Girls Club

In September 2021, Derrick Henry partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to host a back-to-school event, providing 5,000 backpacks with school supplies and $50 gift cards for 25 children in need, also taking the 25 kids on a shopping trip with $100 gift cards each.

2021: Florida High School Record Broken

Derrick Henry's 510-yard performance record against Jacksonville Jackson, which he set in high school, stood until 2021.

2021: Injury

In 2021, Derrick Henry missed more than half of the season due to injury.

April 2022: Minority Owner of Nashville SC

In April 2022, Derrick Henry became a minority owner of Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC.

September 2023: Donations to Children and Teachers

In September 2023, Derrick Henry purchased Nike shoes for 60 children from the Boys and Girls Club, provided backpacks and school supplies for 150 students, and donated classroom supplies to 39 first-year teachers in Metro Nashville.

June 2024: First Hometown Carnival

In June 2024, Derrick Henry hosted his first carnival in his hometown of Yulee, Florida, providing bikes and backpacks with school supplies to around 200 kids, and later donated winter coats to all 465 students at Curtis Bay Elementary.

2024: Signed with the Baltimore Ravens

In 2024, after eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens and set multiple franchise records in his first season with the team.