How This NFL RB Celebrates His Faith From the Field

Published: October 4, 2024

How This NFL RB Celebrates His Faith From the Field

By Movieguide® Contributor

After eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, running back Derrick Henry was given a new opportunity with the Baltimore Ravens.

Now four games in with the team, Henry reflected, “It’s been fun. New chapter, new era for me.”

For the athlete, though, faith is his top priority. Every time he takes the field, he draws crosses under his eyes.

“I started doing that in 2019,” Henry told Rob Maaddi on the “Faith on the Field” podcast. “You know, I’m big on prayer and giving God thanks for everything that I have. I just think, what’s one thing I can do to honor Him while on I’m on that football field? And I thought of that [the cross under his eyes]. I do it every game, and I make sure that cross is on my face.”

“I always feel connected to God,” he said in a separate interview with the podcast. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Man Upstairs. So me putting that cross on my face, that’s just an extra recognition to the Man Upstairs. I put God first in everything I do, and I wouldn’t be where I am without Him.”

In 2022, Henry beat the all-time leading touchdown record for the Titans organization. With 75 over TDs for the Titans, he was asked what that new record meant to him. Instead of talking about himself, he gave God the glory.

“God is good,” Henry emphasized. “I’m blessed to play for this organization, the teammates I have, the sacrifices they make for me to have success, the coaching staff putting me in positions to have success, I’m just a kid from Yulee [Florida] with a dream to do something special and be great.”

Movieguide® previously reported on the running back:

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry joins HOF company as he becomes the NFL rushing champion for the second consecutive season with 2,027 yards during the regular season. Henry is the first back-to-back rushing champion since LaDainian Tomlinson (‘ 06-’07).

Henry led his team to a wild card spot and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs.

During the Titan’s final regular-season game verse the Texans, Henry broke records. After 34 carries for 250 yards and two touchdowns, Henry became the first player in NFL history to have three straight games with more than 200 yards against a single opponent…

“I pray all the time,” Henry said. “I’m always thankful for all my blessings that God has given to me, to me and my family. My grandmother always told me, ‘Always keep God first. Always thank Him for everything in your life, good or bad.’