Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s latest accomplishment warrants a Hall of Fame bid
Although it was already considered an opportunity for a future enshrinement in Canton, Ravens running back Derrick Henry secured his final place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Thursday night’s 28-6 win over the Dolphins.
Henry rushed 19 times for 119 yards at Miami, becoming its 17th overall rusher NFL History for accumulating 12,000 career rushing yards. He did it in style with that explosive 35-yard run late in the third quarter.
Every qualified running back who has rushed for at least 12,000 yards has a gold jacket and a bronze bust. Once again, 31-year-old Henry is competing with some of the best full-backs NFL History, joining a list that includes Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and others.
NFL 12,000 yards rushing
|
1. Emmitt Smith** |
18,355 |
|
2. Walter Payton** |
16,726 |
|
3. Frank Gore |
16000 |
|
4. Barry Sanders ** |
15,269 |
|
5. Adrian Peterson |
14.918 |
|
6. Curtis Martin** |
14,101 |
|
7. LaDainian Tomlinson** |
13,684 |
|
8. Jerome Pettis ** |
13,662 |
|
9. Eric Dickerson ** |
13,259 |
|
10. Tony Dorsett ** |
12,739 |
|
11. Jim Brown ** |
12,312 |
|
12. Marshall Faulk ** |
12,279 |
|
13. Edgerrin James ** |
12,246 |
|
14. Marcus Allen ** |
12,243 |
|
15. Franco Harris ** |
12,120 |
|
16. Thurman Thomas ** |
12,074 |
|
17. Derrick Henry |
12,052 |
** — Pro Football Hall of Fame
Henry’s legacy was likely one that would have been linked to Canton, even before his final achievement. He recently passed Payton for fifth all-time in touchdown runs (112). He is now one of only eight players NFL History with at least 100 rushing touchdowns and 12,000 yards.
Last year, Henry’s 1,921 yards were the most ever by a player over 30 years old. It is also the most yards in league history by a player who has not won a rushing title.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, Henry’s other NFL accolades include back-to-back titles and becoming the ninth player in history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
Although he has been undervalued in recent years, Henry is proof that the running back position is still alive and well.