Derrick Henry appreciates shoutout from the GOAT of Florida
After Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry surpassed 10,000 rushing yards in his NFL career during Sunday’s 41-38 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Emmitt Smith congratulated the former Alabama All-American via Instagram.
“I just want to say congratulations on getting into the 10,000-yard club,” Smith said in a video. “That is a feat that not many men have crossed, and you have represented the state of Florida, just like your boy did, and I love it. And you’re wearing those double deuces. I love that, too. So congratulations, my friend. I want to celebrate you right now because you deserve it. Not many people are going to get there, but you have made it.”
Henry wears No. 22, the same number that was on Smith’s jersey during 15 NFL seasons.
Henry became the 32nd player in NFL history to amass 10,000 rushing yards. Smith was the 12th when he reached the milestone in 1996 on his way to an NFL record 18,355 rushing yards.
During his press conference this week, Henry said he found the message particularly meaningful because he is from Yulee, Florida, and Smith is from Pensacola, Florida. Smith set a Florida high school record with 8,804 rushing yards at Escambia High School. Henry also set the state record with 12,124 rushing yards at Yulee High School.
“Emmitt is just a legend,” Henry said. “He’s like the GOAT of Florida. All of the kids who play running back look up to Emmitt. He’s like Michael Jordan to us. That was very cool, and I appreciate him taking out his time to make that video.”
Henry also joined Smith as a 100-touchdown scorer in the NFL, the 27th player to reach that milestone.
In an even more exclusive NFL grouping, Henry joined Smith, Jim Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson as the only players with 100 touchdowns and 10,000 rushing yards in their first 125 games.
Henry said this week that he had put the milestones behind him as the Ravens prepare to play the Washington Commanders at noon CDT Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
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“Focused on what’s going on now,” Henry said. “I’m thankful and grateful for that milestone. I’ve talked about it a lot. It’s time to move on.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.