New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry spends plenty of time making plays on the football field.
But away from the game, Henry is using his platform to raise awareness about an issue that has become increasingly important to him: Human trafficking.
Henry said his passion for the cause has grown in recent years, especially since becoming a father.
“Just got more passionate about it over the last three or four years,” Henry said. “Honestly, having kids of our own and realizing there’s actually parents out there that have dealt with this, that a lot of this is out of their control. Or sometimes, families — they’re in control of it, too.”
This summer, Henry and his wife, Parker, traveled to Kenya and worked with the International Justice Mission, an organization that works to protect people from violence and exploitation.
The trip gave Henry a different perspective on the circumstances many people face around the world.
“We went to a lot of places that were a lot less fortunate than we have it, which puts things in perspective, really makes you appreciate things and be very thankful for the blessings we have over here,” Henry said.
Henry has also found support from his teammates, who see his work as an extension of the leadership he brings to the Patriots.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson said Henry consistently reminds those around him that there is more to life than football.
“It’s great seeing Hunter take a stand for that,” Henderson said. “I think Hunter is always trying to share that message that life is so much bigger than ball. There are so many real issues that are going on around this world.”
Wide receiver DeMario Douglas said Henry’s work shows that he genuinely cares about helping people beyond the football field.
“That shows that he cares what’s going on in the world,” Douglas said. “He’s helping somebody. I feel like he’s out there, putting his face out, and he’s doing what he needs to do.”
For Henry, even small acts can make a difference — whether that means donating, getting involved or simply using your voice to raise awareness.
“Something so little as giving, just a little, can go a long way over there,” Henry said. “And also just the impact you can make by just raising your voice and spreading awareness, I think, is huge.”
He hopes his platform as an NFL player can help bring more attention to the fight against human trafficking and the people working to protect victims of exploitation.