Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens are rolling.
The star running back helped the Ravens win their second game in a row this past Thursday, defeating the Miami Dolphins, 28-6, in Lamar Jackson’s return from a hamstring injury.
As the win and Jackson’s return have the Ravens thinking playoffs again, Henry is also doing work off the field. He’s moonlighting as a commercial actor with a new spot for State Farm Insurance that pokes fun at his “King Henry” nickname.
After speaking with Henry following Thursday’s game in South Florida, he was kind enough to chat with me again on Tuesday via Zoom to discuss his acting career, Jackson’s return, favorite running backs, how he might approach retirement and much more.
[Related: Lamar Jackson Returns to Boost the Ravens’ Turnaround: ‘He Looked Incredible’]
How a lot do you want doing commercials like that? Is {that a} one-day shoot for you? Half-day?
HENRY: It is nice for me. I take pleasure in it. Very grateful for State Farm for bringing me on for a second industrial and doing the “King Henry” spinoff from my nickname. I take pleasure in it. It is cool. I am in awe that they even chosen me and needed to do one thing like that, so it is loads of enjoyable for me.
You see different NFL gamers testing their appearing chops, doing cameos on TV exhibits. Would you love to do greater than a industrial sooner or later, even after soccer?
HENRY: I positively would. As soon as it is all mentioned and completed, I’ve nonetheless bought much more I need to do on the sector proper now, however I benefit from the commercials. I believe it is form of like a prep to see what it is actually like, the following step up. State Farm does an amazing job with their commercials, the cleverness, making it humorous, being with Jake, “having insurance coverage is not the identical as having State Farm,” so I adore it and I am very appreciative.
We talked about it Thursday evening, however simply how good is it to have momentum once more with the Ravens, with two wins in a row and Lamar Jackson again wholesome once more?
HENRY: You recognize, adversity comes sooner or later in everyone’s season, and sadly for us, it got here fairly early. We needed to maintain trusting and believing in one another, understanding that sooner or later, we would get rolling, everyone would get again wholesome and we’ll be proper the place we need to be. We’re coming off two wins in a row and quite a bit to construct off. We all know it is not going to be straightforward to get the place we need to be, so, simply taking it one week at a time and specializing in being 1-0 every week.
Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson accounted for 59 touchdowns final season, giving the Ravens one of many strogest quarterback-running again duos within the NFL. (Picture by G Fiume/Getty Photographs)
You are in 12 months 10 within the NFL now, and stay a mannequin of consistency and sturdiness. What do you credit score that to?
HENRY: I believe it is simply trusting and believing in your work. Caring for your physique, doing all the things that will get your physique prepared, week in and week out, and dealing even tougher within the offseason, so your physique is able to stand up to a full season, as a result of it is not straightforward. It is not straightforward to do, particularly having self-discipline in your eating regimen, but it surely’s a giant self-discipline it’s important to have to have the ability to do all these issues. I have been capable of get down on my restoration plan, what I have to have my physique really feel good, to have the ability to carry out and do the issues I’ve to do to assist my group.
You might need seen this, but when you will get 72 speeding yards this week developing, you will have as many yards in 10 NFL seasons as you had in 4 years of highschool again in Yulee, Florida, simply north of Jacksonville. It is a loopy stat since you’ve been fairly good for a decade within the NFL, and also you’re simply now catching as much as your highschool totals.
HENRY: Once I left highschool, it was form of loopy, however actually bought loopy as I bought older. However I would not change it for the world. I loved these highschool days, a few of the fondest reminiscences of my life, and I am very grateful for these occasions. It is humorous once you look again on it.
The numbers are off the charts. You had 153 touchdowns in highschool, and also you averaged 35 carries a recreation your senior 12 months, speeding for 4,261 yards in a single season. Did you ever get bored with carrying the ball?
HENRY: I actually beloved it. I like having the ball in my arms, making performs. Simply successful video games, me and my teammates, the coaches, the preparation of it. I beloved all of it, enjoying in entrance of your hometown, my household, so I embraced it.
You are on this cool spot the place you are transferring up the NFL profession speeding listing each week — recreation Sunday and you may cross Thurman Thomas and Franco Harris, two absolute legends. That is one thing you’ve got grinded out for 10 years, however how cool is it to see your title proper there in a bunch of nothing however Corridor of Fame operating backs?
HENRY: Proper now, as a result of I am within the season, I have not put an excessive amount of deal with that, simply because I am attempting to deal with what I have to do to be one of the best I might be, week in and week out. When any person brings it as much as me, I am identical to “Wow.” To be talked about with these names, it is only a surreal second. You are becoming a member of your superheroes that you just grew up watching your complete life. I am very grateful that God has been tremendously good to me.
Who have been the backs you grew up watching, that you just needed to be once you have been operating round in pee-wee soccer?
HENRY: My favourite operating again rising up was LaDainian Tomlinson. I used to be a giant LT fan. Clearly, as I bought older, I used to be like, ‘Man, I am not constructed like LT.’ I am completely totally different. I may go on and on. I do not need to overlook anyone, however all of the operating backs within the ’90s to the 2000s and 2010s, I like even again within the ’70s and ’80s, watching NFL Movies, like I used to be infatuated with the place and all of the legends that got here earlier than me. So each operating again that is had an affect on this recreation, I’ve watched and admired for a very long time.
Is there a again you’ve got really gotten to fulfill, the place you get a little bit starstruck and it is extra particular for you?
HENRY: Barry Sanders. I imply, each time I meet him, I am identical to a child at a sweet retailer. Man, he is simply so humble, so real, down to speak about something in regards to the recreation and any method that will help you, nonetheless giving reward to backs nowadays, so long as he is been out of the sport. To know that one of the best operating again of all time — he is simply so humble, each time I speak to him, I am simply in awe.
Let’s go within the different course. Who’re the younger backs in right now’s NFL you admire and like to observe?
HENRY: I like Jahmyr Gibbs. Bijan Robinson. I do not need to overlook anyone. Rico Dowdle is doing a hell of a job this 12 months. I like him. Jonathan Taylor has been a beast. You recognize about Saquon [Barkley], Christian [McCaffrey], Javonte Williams with the Cowboys is doing a hell of a job this 12 months, Kyren Williams, I can maintain happening and on. All these backs have been doing an amazing job, and I am excited to see the place maintain elevating. I like and love watching the place.
Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey have been among the many league’s two greatest operating backs since they entered the league in 2016 and 2017, respetively. (Picture by Steve Limentani/ISI Pictures/Getty Photographs).
Let’s do a fast one-word response recreation with a couple of of your teammates. First phrase you consider. Lamar?
HENRY: Dynamic.
Kyle Hamilton?
HENRY: Crashout.
Tyler Linderbaum?
HENRY: Basic.
Roquan Smith?
HENRY: Loopy.
Zay Flowers?
HENRY: Lightning.
Glorious. Do you consider your self in any respect by way of what number of years you’d prefer to play after this season? You proceed to play at such a excessive degree — is it three extra years? Kind of?
HENRY: I am simply having fun with the season because it goes. I do not attempt to put a timeline on it. I believe when you understand, you understand, slightly than attempting to set a mark: that is when I will be completed. Simply be current within the second and benefit from the days that you’ve proper now.
One final one: Is there one NFL defender you’ve got confronted that you just respect probably the most, that you do not need to see bearing down on you within the open subject?
HENRY: Lavonte David. I simply assume he’s a hell of a participant, and he is been going at it for a very long time. I’ve bought a lot respect for that man. He performs the sport the suitable method. I simply assume he’s the epitome of the linebacker place, and somebody who’s been constant and doing it for a very long time, and particularly only for one group as effectively.
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade protecting the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You may comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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