Derrick Henry
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Buffalo Bills during their AFC Divisional playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Derrick Henry is 31 years old, which is ancient for an NFL running back that produces at the level he does.
The Baltimore Ravens star back ain’t afraid to admit he’s considered an old-timer in the league, but he said he has no plans to stop.
Potential retirement was one of many topics he discussed in an interview with ESPN’s Jamison Hensley that published Aug. 30, five days from the start of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Derrick Henry
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Greg Rousseau #50 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Derrick Henry Dishes on Retirement
“Let my play speak for my age,” Henry told ESPN.
After eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, many thought Henry was on his last legs. But last season, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound back rushed for 1,921 yards, second in the NFL, and 16 touchdowns, which led the league.
How does Henry answer questions about the length of his career?
“I tell them: ‘When I feel like it’s time, I’ll hang it up,'” Henry said. “But right now, I don’t see that anytime soon.”
Derrick Henry Could Enter Top 10 Rushing List This Year
Henry has a chance to make history this season by cracking the all-time top 10 career rushing yards list. Henry needs just 1,317 more yards to make the list.
If he hits the mark, Henry would climb from 19th to the top 10, leaping over seven Hall of Fame legends—Thurman Thomas, Franco Harris, Marcus Allen, Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown, and Tony Dorsett.
“It’d definitely be a surreal moment for my name to be mentioned with those legends,” Henry said. “I pray it happens, but I’m living in the moment every day.”
Could Derrick Henry Become the NFL’s All-Time Leading Rusher?
When asked if he can stay in the league long enough to rush for 6,933 more yards and topple NFL great Emmitt Smith at No. 1, Henry said, “I’m not thinking that far. That’s a long ways away.”
Henry grew up idolizing Smith, like many running backs who grew up in Florida. Henry considers Smith the Michael Jordan of running backs.
“He played a very long time. He was very effective,” Henry said of Smith. “He’s a Hall of Fame player and a legend at the position.”
Derrick Henry
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Divisional Playoff at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Henry then added, “So, I don’t know. But, Lord willing, hopefully. So, we’ll see.”
If Henry continues to hit is average of rushing yards a season, it would take him nearly six seasons to reach the record.
Regardless, he is set to finish among the top 10 in total yards, joining elite players such as Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore, Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jerome Bettis, and Eric Dickerson.
Derrick Henry Rising the All-Time TD List Faster
Henry isn’t just gaining ground in rushing yards—he’s sprinting up the all-time rushing touchdown chart even faster. With 106 touchdowns, he now sits tied with Brown for the sixth-most ever.
Henry is known to be calm, cool and collected. There’s no touchdown celebrations for Henry. He typically hands the ball to the referee after crossing the goal line.
During a mic’d up moment last season, teammates urged Henry to break into a dance. But the running back hasn’t shown off any end-zone moves since the early days of his Titans career.
“I’m old now,” Henry told them. “I’m over it now.”
The goal for the Ravens, with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm, is winning a Super Bowl. Whether he gets a ring or not, Henry could be looking at first-class ticket to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The Ravens open the season on Sunday Night Football at the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 7.