History of Derrick Henry in Timeline
Derrick Henry, nicknamed "King Henry", is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He is renowned for his powerful and imposing running style. He stands out due to his larger build compared to most running backs. Remarkably, Henry is the sole player to have achieved at least 2,000 rushing yards in a single season at the high school, college, and professional levels, showcasing his consistent success throughout his career.
January 4, 1994: Derrick Henry Born
On January 4, 1994, Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. was born. He would grow up to be an American professional football running back known for his imposing style of play.
1998: First rushing champion with a 100-yard playoff game since Terrell Davis in 1998
Derrick Henry became the first rushing champion with a 100-yard playoff game since Terrell Davis in 1998.
2007: First rushing champion with a 100-yard playoff game since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007
Derrick Henry became the first rushing champion with a 100-yard playoff game since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007.
2009: Chris Johnson's 2,000 yard season
In 2009, Chris Johnson achieved 2000 rushing yards in a season, the first Tennessee Titan to do so.
2009: Breaking Chris Johnson's Franchise Record
In 2009, Chris Johnson's franchise record was broken by Derrick Henry in 2018 when he rushed for 238 yards in a game.
2009: Freshman Year
In 2009, as a freshman at Yulee High School, Henry ran for 2,465 yards and 26 touchdowns.
2009: First Titan to win rushing title since Chris Johnson in 2009
In 2019, Derrick Henry was the first Titan to win the rushing title since Chris Johnson did in 2009.
2010: Track & Field
From 2010, Derrick Henry competed as a sprinter at Yulee.
2010: All-Coast Selection
In 2010, Henry was named a first-team All-Coast selection at running back after rushing for 2,788 yards and 38 touchdowns.
2011: All-Coast Honors
In 2011, Henry earned first-team All-Coast honors from the Florida Times-Union after rushing for 2,610 yards and 34 scores as a junior.
2011: Track & Field Personal Best
In 2011, Henry posted a personal-best time of 11.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
September 28, 2012: Commits to Alabama
On September 28, 2012, Derrick Henry committed to the University of Alabama after originally committing to the University of Georgia.
2013: Freshman Year
As a true freshman in 2013, Henry rushed for 382 yards on 36 carries with three touchdowns.
2013: Attends University of Alabama
From 2013, Derrick Henry attended and played college football for the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.
2013: U.S. Army All-American Bowl
In 2013, 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, Henry was listed as the No. 1 athlete (player with no designated position) in the nation by ESPN.com.
2014: Sugar Bowl Performance
During the 2014 Sugar Bowl, Henry rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and had a 61-yard touchdown reception.
2014: 2014 Season
In the 2014 season, Derrick Henry split a majority of the work in the backfield. He had 990 rushing yards on 172 carries with 11 touchdowns.
2015: College Career
Derrick Henry played college football for the University of Alabama from 2013 to 2015 under head coach Nick Saban
2015: Record-Breaking Season and Awards
In 2015, Derrick Henry broke Herschel Walker's single-season college rushing yards record in the SEC. He also won the Heisman Trophy, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award.
2015: Starting Running Back
In 2015, Henry took over as the starting running back as a junior, leading the NCAA in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and points scored. He won the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award, and Maxwell Award.
May 9, 2016: Signs with the Titans
On May 9, 2016, the Titans signed Henry to a four-year, $5.40 million contract with $3.30 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.13 million.
September 2, 2016: Rookie Jersey Number
On September 2, 2016, Derrick Henry donned the No. 22 jersey after 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: Began Relationship with Adrianna Rivas
Derrick Henry began his relationship with Adrianna Rivas in 2016. They have two daughters, Valentina and Celine.
2016: Rookie Season
Derrick Henry finished his rookie 2016 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
During Alabama's 45–40 victory over Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, Henry rushed for 158 yards on 36 carries with three touchdowns. During the game, he also broke Shaun Alexander's record for most career rushing yards in Alabama history.
2016: Drafted by the Tennessee 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 Game
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. In addition, he had a 14-yard reception in the victory.
May 4, 2018: Graduation and Article
On May 4, 2018, Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama and published an article in The Players' Tribune.
2018: New Offensive Coordinator Hired
During the 2018 offseason, Matt LaFleur was hired as the Titans' new offensive coordinator and the team also acquired running back Dion Lewis.
2018: Split Carries in 2018
During the 2018 season, Henry split carries with Lewis and run-oriented quarterback Marcus Mariota for most of the season.
2018: Finishing the 2018 Season
In 2018, Derrick Henry finished the season with 1,059 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 99 yards.
2018: Graduation from Alabama
In 2018, Derrick Henry fulfilled a promise to his late grandmother, Gladys Henry, by graduating from Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communications.
2018: Record-Breaking Performance and AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award
In 2018, Derrick Henry had a record-breaking performance including a 99-yard touchdown run against the Jaguars and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. His 238 rushing yards were the most by any player for a single game for the 2018 season.
2018: Emergence as Feature Back
Near the end of the 2018 season, Derrick Henry emerged as the Titans' feature back.
November 2019: Hometown Celebrates Henry
In November 2019, Derrick Henry's hometown of Yulee, Florida, celebrated him with a welcome sign in his honor.
December 17, 2019: Selected to First Pro Bowl
On December 17, 2019, Derrick Henry was selected to his first Pro Bowl.
2019: Ranked 99th on NFL Top 100 Players of 2019
After the 2018 season, Derrick Henry was ranked 99th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
2019: Won the 2019 Rushing Title
During the regular-season finale in 2019 against the Texans, Derrick Henry finished with 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns, narrowly winning the 2019 rushing title over Nick Chubb.
2019: Holiday Giveaway and Layaway Payoff
In 2019, Derrick Henry and his foundation partnered with Pay Away the Layaway to pay off 50 layaways totaling $10,000 at Burlington in the 100 Oaks Shopping Mall.
2019: Founded the Two All Foundation
In 2019, Derrick Henry founded the Two All Foundation to level the playing field for today’s youth.
2019: NFL Rushing Leader
In 2019, Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns (tied).
January 3, 2020: Named to Second-Team All-Pro
On January 3, 2020, Derrick Henry was named to the second-team All-Pro at both the running back and flex position.
March 16, 2020: Titans Placed Franchise Tag on Henry
On March 16, 2020, the Titans placed the franchise tag on Derrick Henry.
April 2, 2020: Henry Signed Franchise Tag
On April 2, 2020, Derrick Henry signed the franchise tag.
July 15, 2020: Signed New Four-Year Contract
On July 15, 2020, Derrick Henry signed a new four-year $50 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.
2020: Accumulated 1,073 yards after contact in 2020
In 2020, Derrick Henry accumulated 1,073 yards after contact, over 300 yards more than any running back in the league, and led the league in broken tackles with 34.
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 rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season and won the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
2020: Named the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year
In 2020, Derrick Henry was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October and the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year at the 10th Annual NFL Honors. He also became the eighth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards.
March 2021: Donation to Firefighter Jeremy Taylor
When Nashville firefighter Jeremy Taylor and his family lost their home and belongings in March 2021, Derrick Henry stepped in to offer support, donating $10,000 to help assist them.
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. He also took these 25 kids on a shopping trip with $100 gift cards.
2021: Ranked Fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2021
After his performance in 2020, Derrick Henry was ranked fourth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.
2021: Suffered Jones Fracture and Placed on Injured Reserve
During a Week 8 game in 2021 against the Colts, Derrick Henry suffered a Jones fracture and was placed on injured reserve on November 1, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season. Henry was also named the Titans' nominee for the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
2021: Injury Sidelines Henry
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 that Derrick Henry held for a 510-yard performance against Jacksonville Jackson was broken.
2021: First Postseason Game Since 2021
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.
January 21, 2022: Activated off Injured Reserve
On January 21, 2022, Derrick Henry was activated off injured reserve for the team's Divisional Round game against the Bengals.
April 2022: Became a Minority Owner of Nashville SC
In April 2022, Derrick Henry became a minority owner of Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC.
September 1, 2022: Received a Raise from the Titans
Prior to the 2022 season, on September 1, 2022, Derrick Henry was given a raise by the Titans, receiving a $2 million bump for the year.
2022: Finished 2022 season and named to the Pro Bowl
In the 2022 season, Derrick Henry finished with 349 carries for 1,538 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions for 398 receiving yards and was named to the Pro Bowl.
September 2023: Donation to Boys and Girls Club and Metro Nashville Students
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 in Metro Nashville, and supported 39 first-year teachers with essential classroom supplies.
2023: Ranked 25th on NFL Top 100 Players of 2023
In 2022, Henry finished the season with 349 carries for 1,538 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. He was ranked 25th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
2023: Finished 2023 Season with AFC Rushing Title
In the 2023 season, Derrick Henry finished with 280 carries for 1,167 rushing yards, the most in the AFC, and 12 rushing touchdowns.
January 10, 2024: Named Second-Team All Pro
On January 10, 2024, Derrick Henry was named second-team All Pro for the third time of his career.
March 12, 2024: Signed with the Baltimore Ravens
On March 12, 2024, Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year, $16 million deal.
June 2024: First Carnival in Yulee
In June 2024, Derrick Henry hosted his first carnival in his hometown of Yulee, providing around 200 kids from the First Coast with bikes and backpacks filled with school supplies. Some children also had the opportunity to get their items autographed.
2024: Signs with Baltimore Ravens
In 2024, after eight seasons with Tennessee, Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
