At 30 years old, Derrick Henry has achieved more in his NFL career than many players could ever hope for. But don’t expect him to rest on his laurels; Henry is proving that he’s as driven as ever.
Now with the Baltimore Ravens after an eight-season stint with the Tennessee Titans, Henry is making waves at his first training camp in Baltimore through sheer determination and hard work.
Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart recounted an incident that highlighted Henry’s intense focus.
During a practice play, Henry was visibly upset with himself for not catching a pass intended for him, which Taggart found both impressive and inspiring.
“It’s like the damnedest thing ever. He wants to be perfect on everything. We love it,” Taggart said. “He’ll eventually come around, but probably the first two plays after a mistake, he’s going to be ticked off.”
Henry’s personal trainer, Melvin Sanders, who trains several professional athletes, emphasizes that Henry’s dedication is unmatched. Sanders praised Henry’s relentless commitment to improving.
“He’s the most consistent. He just doesn’t skip,” Sanders said. “It’s relentless pursuit of perfection. He just wants to be great. He wants to be the best.”
While it’s common for running backs to experience a decline by age 30, Sanders argues that Henry is in peak physical condition, possibly better than he’s ever been.
“I think he’s better right now than he was in year four and five,” Sanders said. “He’s a lot stronger now. He’s a lot more mobile. He’s able to move better. His lateral quickness is better. He’s just a stronger athlete now.”
Despite a career-low average of 4.17 yards per carry last season, which might suggest some signs of wear, Henry remains committed to putting in every effort to return to his prime form.
Desperate for a Super Bowl, the Ravens are hopeful that the Henry they’ve signed is the same bruising back who punished the NFL for years.
What are your thoughts on Baltimore bringing Henry aboard? … How much does he truly have left in the tank?
Do you think he will stay at the level we’ve grown accustomed to? … Or is that unrealistic considering all of the wear and tear he’s complied through the years???
As for the Ravens, what are your expectations this season???