Derrick Henry
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Running Back | Alabama | 6 |
Demonstrates Excellence on The Field
The Titans selected Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Derrick was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 after a historic campaign in which he totaled 378 rushing attempts for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns. His rushing yardage total established a new franchise record and led the NFL. As the eighth player in NFL history to hit the 2,000-yard mark, his 2,027 yards finished fifth on the all-time single-season rushing charts. He was honored with his second consecutive Pro Bowl, named first-team Associated Press All-Pro, and won the FedEx Ground Player of the Year Award for the second straight year.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
In March 2021, Derrick made a $10,000 donation from his Two All Foundation to Jeremy Taylor, a Nashville firefighter who lost his family home and all their belongings in a fire. Following that, in July 2021, for the fourth consecutive year, Derrick hosted a back-to-school event in his hometown of Yulee, Florida. Through his Two All Foundation, Derrick donated school supplies, backpacks, and bicycles to 200 kids. This past September, Derrick worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to host a back-to-school event through his Two All Foundation. Through Foundation sponsors and personal donations from Derrick, they were able to meet B&GC's goal of providing 5,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children in need. Derrick also hosted these 25 kids for an in-person, back-to-school shopping day with additional $100 gift cards, reflecting on how he grew up in a boys & girls club and went on to achieve great things.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
In the spring of 2020, Derrick learned of the Holland family, who were significantly impacted by the tornadoes in Nashville. The matriarch, Ms. Renita, was working several jobs to support her family, the type of dedication that reminded Derrick of his grandmother, the inspiration behind his Foundation. Together with Nike, Derrick paid the family's rent for an entire year and teamed up with Ashley Furniture, who donated $12,000 to the family to furnish their home. This allowed Ms. Renita to quit one of her three jobs and spend more time with her family. Derrick also surprised the family with suite tickets to a game, game-worn and signed cleats, and outfitted the entire family in Nike.
Around the same time, when schools began closing due to Covid, Derrick made multiple donations to combat food insecurity and the overall devastating effects of the pandemic. Derrick donated $25,000 to No Kid Hungry to support children across America, and $25,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, who worked with Metro Nashville Public Schools to set up food distribution sites and an emergency food box program. Additionally, Derrick donated $25,000 to United Way of Greater Nashville's Covid-19 Response Fund, which provides resources and grants to groups working in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Finally, Derrick contributed $6,200 to the Community Resource Center in Nashville, along with critical need supplies he purchased on his own, such as toilet paper and baby formula.
In August 2020, Derrick donated $10,000 to Hurricane Laura relief in Haiti via the Red Cross. In November 2020, Derrick and Kroger Health announced their partnership to combine education and advocacy in the public health space. As a Kroger Health ambassador, Derrick shared his flu shot experience and helped educate Americans about accessing COVID-19 testing services. In December 2020, Derrick organized a zoom with 50 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, surprising them with $5,000 in Target gift cards and Nike shoes for the holidays. Derrick also donated $100 gift cards to 120 kids from his hometown of Yulee, Florida, since COVID-19 prohibited him from hosting his annual holiday hometown event where he and his family pass out toys to 500 kids every year since 2016. That same December, Derrick joined three other NFL players to chat with students about a film titled "Black Boys" that focuses on the social and emotional effects of racism against Black men and boys. In December 2019, Derrick teamed up with a group known as "Pay Away the Layaway" to pay off more than $10,000 in layaways over Christmas for 20 families in the Nashville area. In 2018, Derrick spoke to the local Tennessee chapter of 100 Black Men of America at the 2018 Nissan Resume Challenge and Summit, which focuses on mentorship and the preparation of young men to realize their highest potential – perfectly embodying the mission of the Foundation (Two All) Derrick would later create himself.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Derrick founded the "Two All" Foundation to level the playing field for today's youth so that their future success is not limited by the circumstances of their upbringing, background, disability, or influence. The Foundation is dedicated to being a resource that impacts communities and equips young people to reach their full potential by instilling strong core values in their lives and providing support TWO ALL adolescents in need.
In the spring of 2021, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame named Derrick the 'Tennessean of the Year' – reflecting his on-field accomplishments and contributions to society, strong character, and high-profile leadership. In September 2021, Derrick wanted to foster stronger relationships with Titans fans and, in his words, "be a blessing." He posted a tweet asking Titans fans, artists of any level, to reply with pictures of their creations of him. He selected multiple pieces of art ranging from school-aged children to grown adults and purchased them directly from the fans. Also, in September, Derrick's single-game high school rushing record was broken by Kayleb Wagner, a high school football player from his native Florida. Wagner tallied 535 rushing yards to break Derrick's own record of 502. Derrick purchased tickets for Wagner and his family to attend the team's Week 5 game in Jacksonville and met them on the field before the game to present Wagner with his own game-worn cleats and gloves.
In December 2019, Derrick learned of a fan battling cancer attending the Titans game in Houston with his daughter. The fan was nearing the end of his fight but said the Titans brought him joy during a dark time. Derrick secured a pair of sideline passes for the father and daughter so he could meet them before the game. He then went on to rush for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and secure the NFL's rushing title.
