Derrick Lamar Henry Jr., nicknamed "King Henry", is an American football running back known for his powerful running style and exceptional size. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.
January 4, 1994: Birth of Derrick Henry
On January 4, 1994, Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. was born. He would become known as "King Henry", a formidable running back in the NFL.
1998: Terrell Davis's Playoff Performance
In 1998, Terrell Davis became the last rushing champion to win a 100-yard playoff game before Derrick Henry achieved the feat in 2019. Davis is also notable for having four postseason games with at least 150 rushing yards.
2007: LaDainian Tomlinson's Playoff Win
LaDainian Tomlinson was the last rushing champion before Derrick Henry in 2019 to win a playoff game. This occurred during the 2007 NFL playoffs.
2009: Impressive Freshman Season at Yulee High School
As a freshman in 2009, Derrick Henry rushed for 2,465 yards and 26 touchdowns, showcasing his talent early on.
2009: Chris Johnson's Record-Breaking Season
In 2009, Chris Johnson had one of the most remarkable seasons in NFL history, setting a then-record for rushing yards in a season, showcasing his incredible speed and elusiveness as a running back.
2009: Chris Johnson's 2,000-Yard Season
In 2009, Chris Johnson, also a Tennessee Titan, rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season.
2009: Chris Johnson's Rushing Title
In 2009, Chris Johnson, running back for the Tennessee Titans, won the NFL rushing title. This was the last time a Titans player achieved this feat before Derrick Henry in 2019.
2010: Track and Field at Yulee High School
Between 2010 and 2011, Derrick Henry participated in track and field at Yulee High School, competing as a sprinter.
2010: Continued Success as a Sophomore
In 2010, Derrick Henry continued to impress as a sophomore, rushing for 2,788 yards and 38 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Coast selection.
2011: Personal Best in 100-Meter Dash
Derrick Henry achieved a personal best time of 11.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the 2011 FHSAA 2A District 3 Championships.
2011: Dominating Junior Year
Derrick Henry's dominance continued into his junior year in 2011, rushing for 2,610 yards and 34 touchdowns, once again earning him first-team All-Coast honors.
September 28, 2012: Commitment to the University of Alabama
On September 28, 2012, Derrick Henry committed to playing college football at the University of Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over numerous other top programs.
2013: Freshman Season at Alabama
In 2013, Derrick Henry began his college football journey at Alabama as a true freshman, sharing the backfield with T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake.
2013: Start of College Football Career at Alabama
Derrick Henry's college football journey at the University of Alabama, under coach Nick Saban, began in 2013.
2013: Ranked as Top Athlete
Derrick Henry was recognized as the No. 1 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com in 2013, highlighting his exceptional athleticism and versatility.
2013: Participation in U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Derrick Henry participated in the prestigious 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, showcasing his skills on a national stage.
2014: Sophomore Season at Alabama
Derrick Henry's sophomore season at Alabama in 2014 saw him splitting carries with T.J. Yeldon. He had several strong games, including rushing for over 100 yards against West Virginia and Florida, and contributing significantly to Alabama's SEC Championship victory.
2014: Memorable Performance in the Sugar Bowl
During the 2014 Sugar Bowl, Derrick Henry delivered a standout performance, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown while also catching a 61-yard touchdown pass. This game led to his nickname "El Tractorcito" by ESPN Deportes broadcaster Pablo Viruega.
2015: Conclusion of College Football Career
Derrick Henry's college football career at Alabama concluded in 2015.
2015: Henry's Breakout Season at Alabama
In 2015, Derrick Henry had a historic season at Alabama, breaking Herschel Walker's single-season SEC rushing record and winning the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award.
2015: Breakout Season at Alabama
In 2015, Derrick Henry's junior year at Alabama, he became the starting running back and had a remarkable season. He rushed for over 100 yards in numerous games, set records, and dominated opponents. Some of his standout performances included rushing for 236 yards against Texas A&M, 210 yards against LSU, and 271 yards against Auburn.
May 9, 2016: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans
On May 9, 2016, Derrick Henry was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the NFL draft, reuniting him with his former Alabama teammate Jalston Fowler. He signed a four-year contract with the Titans.
September 2, 2016: Rookie Season Begins
Derrick Henry began his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans as a backup to DeMarco Murray, wearing the No. 2 jersey initially before switching to No. 22.
2016: National Championship Victory with Alabama
Derrick Henry and the Alabama Crimson Tide won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship in 2016.
2016: Heisman Trophy and National Championship
Derrick Henry capped off his incredible 2015 season by winning the Heisman Trophy, solidifying his place as one of college football's greatest running backs. He also led Alabama to a national championship victory over Clemson, rushing for 158 yards and three touchdowns in the championship game. Henry declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season.
2016: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
2016: Relationship with Adrianna Rivas
Derrick Henry's relationship with Adrianna Rivas began in 2016.
2016: Solid Rookie Season
In his rookie season in 2016, Derrick Henry showed promise as he shared carries with DeMarco Murray. He finished the season with 490 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The Titans improved to a 9-7 record, a significant turnaround from the previous season.
2017: Splitting Carries
In 2017, Derrick Henry continued to split carries with DeMarco Murray and Marcus Mariota in the Titans' run-oriented offense. He had some notable games, including a 131-yard performance against the Colts and a 66-yard touchdown reception against the Jaguars.
May 4, 2018: Graduation from the University of Alabama
Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama on May 4, 2018, with a degree in communications. He also published an article in The Players' Tribune expressing gratitude to his grandmother for inspiring him to complete his education.
2018: Strong Finish to 2018
Derrick Henry finished the 2018 season with 1,059 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to be a workhorse running back. His performance helped him earn recognition, ranking 99th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
2018: Sharing the Backfield
Derrick Henry shared carries with Dion Lewis throughout the 2018 season. He had limited opportunities early in the season, and his role seemed uncertain.
2018: Breakout Performance and Record-Breaking Run
Derrick Henry's 2018 season took a dramatic turn in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He unleashed an electrifying 99-yard touchdown run, tying the NFL record for the longest touchdown run. Henry finished the game with a franchise-record 238 rushing yards and four touchdowns. This performance established him as a dominant force in the league and earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
2018: Graduating from Alabama
In 2018, Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communications, fulfilling a promise he had made to his grandmother. He honors her memory with a portrait tattoo on his chest.
2018: New Offensive Coordinator and Competition
The arrival of new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur and running back Dion Lewis in 2018 led to questions about how the Titans would utilize Derrick Henry in the offense. Lewis's pass-catching abilities suggested a potential shift in the running back rotation.
2018: Emergence as Starting Running Back
Towards the end of the 2018 season, Derrick Henry emerged as the Tennessee Titans' primary running back.
November 2019: Hometown Recognition in Yulee
In November 2019, Derrick Henry's hometown of Yulee, Florida, paid tribute to his accomplishments by erecting a welcome sign in his honor. The funds for the sign were raised through the combined efforts of local residents and businesses.
2019: First NFL Rushing Title
Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards in 2019, sharing the rushing touchdowns title with Aaron Jones.
2019: NFL Top 100 Recognition
Derrick Henry's performance in the 2018 season earned him a spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019 list, a testament to his emergence as one of the league's premier running backs.
2019: Derrick Henry's 2019 Season
During the 2019 NFL season, Derrick Henry had several notable performances, including a 159-yard, two-touchdown game against the Jaguars and a 211-yard, three-touchdown game against the Texans in the regular-season finale. He narrowly won the 2019 rushing title over Nick Chubb, becoming the first Titan to do so since Chris Johnson in 2009.
March 16, 2020: Titans Franchise Tag and Contract Extension
On March 16, 2020, the Tennessee Titans placed the franchise tag on Derrick Henry. He officially signed the tag on April 2, and on July 15, he agreed to a new four-year, $50 million contract with the team.
2020: Dominating as a Power Back
In 2020, Derrick Henry showcased his prowess as a "power back," utilizing his size and strength to achieve a remarkable 1,073 yards after contact, surpassing all other running backs in the league by over 300 yards. He led the league in broken tackles with 34, demonstrating his exceptional ability to overpower defenders.
2020: Second Consecutive Rushing Title and 2,000-Yard Season
In 2020, Derrick Henry achieved his second consecutive season leading the NFL 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, earning the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
2020: Derrick Henry's 2019 Accolades and Recognition
Following his impressive 2019 season, Derrick Henry received several honors. He was named to his first Pro Bowl, earned second-team All-Pro recognition, and was ranked 10th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
2020: Derrick Henry's Record-Breaking 2020 Season
Derrick Henry had a historic 2020 season, becoming the eighth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards and the only player to achieve this feat in high school, college, and the NFL. He set career highs in carries, yards-per-carry, and rushing touchdowns. For his performance, he was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and won the FedEx Ground Player of the Year award.
2020: Birth of Daughter
Derrick Henry and his partner Adrianna Rivas welcomed their daughter in 2020.
2021: Sidelined by Foot Injury
Derrick Henry missed a significant portion of the 2021 NFL season due to a foot injury.
2021: Florida High School Rushing Record Broken
Derrick Henry's Florida high school record of 510 rushing yards in a single game, set in 2011, was broken in 2021.
2021: Derrick Henry's Recognition and Ranking
Derrick Henry's performance in the 2020 season earned him significant recognition. He was ranked fourth by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.
2021: Derrick Henry's Season Cut Short by Injury
Despite leading the league in several rushing categories and being on pace to break the NFL rushing record, Derrick Henry's 2021 season was cut short due to a Jones fracture suffered in Week 8. This significant setback led to his placement on injured reserve. Despite the injury, he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, highlighting his character and contributions off the field.
January 21, 2022: Derrick Henry Returns for Playoffs
On January 21, 2022, Derrick Henry made his return from injured reserve in time for the Divisional Round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, his comeback was marked by limited playing time and impact due to his recovery from the previous injury.
September 1, 2022: Salary Increase for Derrick Henry
In recognition of his value to the team, Derrick Henry received a $2 million raise from the Tennessee Titans on September 1, 2022.
2022: Derrick Henry's 2022 Season Performance
During the 2022 NFL season, Derrick Henry showcased his consistent excellence on the field. He led the league in rushing attempts and secured the second position in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. This performance earned him a well-deserved Pro Bowl selection.
2023: Derrick Henry's Performance in the 2023 Season
Derrick Henry continued to be a dominant force in the 2023 NFL season. He once again led the league in rushing attempts, showcasing his workhorse capabilities. Additionally, he secured the second position in rushing yards, further solidifying his position as one of the league's premier running backs.
2023: Derrick Henry's Ranking in 2023
Despite a challenging previous season, Derrick Henry maintained a respectable standing among his peers. He was ranked 25th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023, reflecting his continued influence and respect within the league.
March 12, 2024: Signing with the Baltimore Ravens
On March 12, 2024, Derrick Henry signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, securing a deal worth $16 million, with potential to reach $20 million. Notably, the contract includes a guaranteed $9 million in the first year.
2024: Signing with the Baltimore Ravens
After eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.