Most of you won’t need this history lesson. It’s more for effect than anything, but Derrick Henry had crafted a Pro Football Hall of Fame argument long before he joined the Baltimore Ravens.
His first season in purple was impressive. He was 79 yards shy of becoming the first member of the 2,000-yard club to accomplish the feat twice, but he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns for the second time in his career.
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Another Pro Bowl nod and a Second-Team All-Pro mention were his reward. The resume, mostly crafted with the Tennessee Titans, now appears as follows:
He’s a three-time leader in rushing touchdowns. Twice, he has led the league in rushing yards. He was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Pro in 2020. He’s a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler.
It’s easy to see why Ravens fans would want to enjoy his talent for as long as they can. Based on some recent comments, it appears they may receive their wish.
“When I feel like it’s time, I’ll hang it up, but right now, I don’t see that anytime soon.” He shared that thought with ESPN’s Jamison Hensley as part of a nice read, How high can Derrick Henry climb on rushing list in 2025?
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Henry needs 1,317 yards rushing to vault himself into the top ten of all-time career rushing yards leaders. That will place him ahead of several Hall of Famers whom he currently trails: Thurman Thomas, Franco Harris, Marcus Allen, Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown, and Tony Dorsett. Henry is humbled by the opportunity to do so.
“It’d definitely be a surreal moment for my name to be mentioned with those legends. I pray it happens, but I’m living in the moment every day.”
Henry currently boasts 11,423 rushing yards. That’s the most of any active player, placing him nearly 4,000 yards ahead of the next highest total, one held by Joe Mixon of the Houston Texans.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Derrick Henry closing fast on top-ten spot among NFL legends