When Derrick Henry joined the Tennessee Titans as a second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, the running back held on for as long as he could to the No. 2 that he had worn during his record-breaking, Heisman Trophy-worthy season for Alabama’s 2015 CFP national-championship team.

Henry wore No. 2 in four preseason games in 2016. But under NFL rules at the time, running backs had to wear a number from 20 through 49.

To get legal for the regular season, Henry picked No. 22, and he wore it through eight seasons with the Titans.

On Thursday, Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an unrestricted free agent, and this time, he could have chosen No. 2 as his jersey number. NFL rules have changed since Henry entered the league, and a running back can wear any number from 0 through 49.

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Henry chose to stay with No. 22. The Ravens already are holding a giveaway contest with his new jersey.

When Henry originally chose No. 22 in Tennessee, he explained his choice: “Altee (Tenpenny) told me one day at practice back at Bama if he ever made it to NFL, he would wear 22, so I will make sure that dream lives on.”

Henry and Tenpenny were teammates at Alabama in 2013 and 2014. Tenpenny was killed in an automobile accident on Oct. 20, 2015.

The biography portion of Henry’s X account still reads simply: “R.I.P. 28.” The No. 28 was the last one that Tenpenny wore at Alabama.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.