History of Derrick Henry in Timeline

Derrick Henry, nicknamed "King Henry," is a professional football running back currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. He is known for his powerful running style and impressive size. Remarkably, Henry is the only player to have achieved the feat of rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season at the high school, college, and professional levels, highlighting his consistent success and dominance throughout his 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 would later become a professional football running back known for his imposing style of play.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Chris Johnson's 2,000 Yard Season

In 2009, Chris Johnson rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season for the Tennessee Titans.

2009: Freshman Year Stats

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

2009: Chris Johnson's Franchise Record

In 2018, Derrick Henry broke Chris Johnson's 2009 franchise record of 228 rushing yards in a single game.

2009: First Titan to win since Chris Johnson

In 2019, Derrick Henry was the first Titan to win the rushing title since Chris Johnson in 2009.

2010: Track and Field Participation

From 2010, Derrick Henry competed as a sprinter at Yulee High School.

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: Personal Best in 100-Meter Dash

In 2011, Derrick Henry posted a personal-best time of 11.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the FHSAA 2A District 3 Championships.

2011: First-Team All-Coast Honors

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

September 28, 2012: Committed to Alabama

On September 28, 2012, Derrick Henry committed to the University of Alabama after originally committing to the University of Georgia.

February 3, 2013: Parade Magazine Cover

On February 3, 2013, Derrick Henry was featured on the cover of Parade magazine while he was in high school.

2013: Attended University of Alabama

From 2013, Derrick Henry attended and played college football for the University of Alabama, majoring in communication.

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 Top Athlete

In 2013, Derrick Henry was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN.com and was listed as the No. 1 athlete in the nation.

2013: Freshman Season

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

2014: Sugar Bowl Performance

During the 2014 Sugar Bowl, Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, with a 61-yard touchdown reception. He was nicknamed "El Tractorcito" during the game.

2014: Split Work in Backfield

In the 2014 season, Derrick Henry split a majority of the work in the backfield with T. J. Yeldon. He had multiple games with over 100 rushing yards and touchdowns.

2015: College Football Career

In 2015, Derrick Henry continued his college football career at the University of Alabama.

2015: Record-Breaking Junior Season

In 2015, Derrick Henry took over as the starting running back and had a record-breaking junior season, rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy and other awards.

2015: Record-Breaking College Season and Awards

In 2015, during his junior season at Alabama, Derrick Henry broke Herschel Walker's single-season college rushing yards record in the SEC. He also won the 2015 Heisman Trophy, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award.

May 9, 2016: Signed with Tennessee Titans

On May 9, 2016, Derrick Henry signed a four-year contract with the Tennessee Titans for $5.40 million.

September 2, 2016: Jersey Number

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

December 18, 2016: Two Rushing Touchdowns Against 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: Rookie Season Stats

In 2016, Derrick Henry finished his rookie season with 110 carries for 490 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.

2016: National Championship Victory

In 2016, Derrick Henry played a key role in the 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team that won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.

2016: Drafted by Tennessee Titans

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

2016: Relationship with Adrianna Rivas

Since 2016, Derrick Henry has been in a relationship with Adrianna Rivas. They have two daughters, Valentina and Celine.

October 16, 2017: Career-Best Rushing Yards

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

May 4, 2018: Graduation and Tribune Article

On May 4, 2018, Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama and published an article in The Players' Tribune thanking his late grandmother.

2018: Offensive Coordinator Hire

During the 2018 offseason, Matt LaFleur was hired as the Titans' new offensive coordinator, leading to speculation about the role of running backs in the offense.

2018: Graduation from Alabama

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

2018: Shopping Event for Teachers

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

2018: Record-Breaking Performance

In 2018, during Week 14 against the Jaguars, Derrick Henry tied Tony Dorsett for the longest NFL touchdown run with a 99-yard run. He finished the game with four rushing touchdowns and 238 rushing yards, breaking Chris Johnson's franchise record. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Also in 2018, he had 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the New York Giants. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.

2018: Emergence as Feature Back

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

November 2019: Welcome Sign in Yulee, Florida

In November 2019, Derrick Henry's hometown of Yulee, Florida, celebrated 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 to help level the playing field for today's youth.

2019: Rushing Title

In 2019, Derrick Henry had 84 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. He rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. He rushed for 100 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, and 78 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. He also rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs, and won the FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Derrick Henry narrowly won the 2019 rushing title over Nick Chubb.

2019: Shopping Event for Teachers

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

2019: Christmas Gift with Pay Away the Layaway

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 as a special Christmas gift for a few dozen families.

2020: 2,000 Rushing Yards

During the 2020 season, Derrick Henry finished with 212 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards, and two touchdowns against the Texans, and won the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He ran for 112 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. He had 133 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Ravens. He had 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Colts, and had 215 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars. He had 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans, and he became the eighth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards.

2020: Playing Style

In 2020, Derrick Henry accumulated 1,073 yards after contact and led the league in broken tackles with 34. His signature is the stiff-arm to repel defenders.

2020: 2,000-Yard Season and Offensive Player of the Year

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

March 2021: Donation to Nashville Firefighter

In March 2021, Derrick Henry donated $10,000 to Nashville firefighter Jeremy Taylor and his family after they 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, and taking those children on a shopping trip.

2021: Injury

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

2021: High School Record Broken

In 2021, the Florida high school record for rushing yards in a single game that Derrick Henry set in 2011 was broken.

2021: Postseason Game

In his first postseason game with the Ravens and his first since 2021, Henry set a Ravens franchise record for rushing yards in a postseason game by rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns in a 28–14 victory over their divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Divisional round, Henry ran for 84 yards and a touchdown in a 27–25 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

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: Donation to Boys and Girls Club and Teachers

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

June 2024: First Carnival in Yulee

In June 2024, Derrick Henry hosted his first carnival in his hometown of Yulee, providing bikes and backpacks filled with school supplies to around 200 kids from the First Coast and later donated $1,500 to The Famous Fund.

2024: Signs with Baltimore Ravens

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