Derrick Henry gives the Titans and their fans the perfect send-off
NASHVILLE — Running back Derrick Henry's professional future is uncertain for the first time in his NFL career. If this is the end for Henry with the Tennessee Titans (6-11), it was a legendary run. Tennessee knocked the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) out of the playoff picture with a 28-20 season finale at Nissan Stadium. Sunday […]
NASHVILLE — Running back Derrick Henry's professional future is uncertain for the first time in his NFL career. If this is the end for Henry with the Tennessee Titans (6-11), it was a legendary run.
Tennessee knocked the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) out of the playoff picture with a 28-20 season finale at Nissan Stadium.
Sunday carried an air of finality to it for Henry, for certain. Pregame habits went as scheduled with a little more family around the running back who turned 30 on Thursday. Savoring their first AFC South win of the season, Henry took time to deliver a message on the in-stadium microphone directly to the masses who gathered at Nissan Stadium to see him on what was otherwise a meaningless day for his team.
"Titans fans," said Henry. "I just want to say thank you for the greatest eight years of my my life. The ups and the downs. Y'all have been there through everything, through the adversity. Watching me grow as a player, always supporting me. I love y'all. I love seeing the 22s in the stadium. Hopefully, I was an inspiration to all the young kind and everybody in the community. Just, thank y'all so much, man. God is good, and Titan Up, baby."
But it wasn't some kind of obituary, it was a celebration of life.
Henry put together his best statistical performance of the season to deliver the knock-out blow to Jacksonville Jaguars. He carried the ball 19 times for 152 yards and a score, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. His 69-yard run on the second play of the third quarter breathed life into the home crowd that had not been felt that alive really at any point in the last 14 months.
It was Henry's longest carry of the season.
"We've leaned on Derrick (Henry)," said coach Mike Vrabel in his postgame. "His consistency throughout. Not only the time that I've been here, but certainly this season even when he was frustrated. Proud to coach him. A unique and special person. Obviously, an unbelievable player. His durability, leadership is something that I've always appreciated and was on display here today."
Passing Earl Campbell for the most 100-yard rushing games in franchise history whilst pummeling the Jaguars felt routine for No. 22. He's made all kinds of impossible records feel attainable these last eight years.
1,167 rushing yards to go with his 12 rushing touchdowns on the season, not to mention a few more that he threw to teammates in his "Young Peyton Manning" mode, Henry does not know what his future holds.
"Like I said earlier, any player would love to play for one franchise for their whole career," Henry said. "Us getting so close like we did and not finishing it, that’s always going to be in the back of your mind. I want to bring a Super Bowl here really bad. That’s one of my main goals. No matter how I do in the season, I just want to bring one here. Who knows what will happen, but at the end of the day any player would want to play for one organization for their whole career."
No one knows for certain if Sunday was the end here in Nashville. If it was, the one they call King has forever entrenched himself among Tennessee sports royalty.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
