In advance of the Baltimore Ravens‘ upcoming season, head coach John Harbaugh discussed running back Derrick Henry‘s place in NFL history as the player prepares for his 10th professional year. Henry, who currently holds the record for most rushing yards among active players, joined the Ravens this offseason.
Addressing Henry’s standing within the history of his position, Harbaugh said, “That’s a tough question. I haven’t done my stack on that yet, but I can, I guess. I am kind of a Jim Brown guy. I’d probably put Jim Brown at the top, for me. [Barry] Sanders, and who else would be on that list? Walter Payton. Oh my gosh, Walter Payton. How do you do it? [Eric] Dickerson. How do you do it?” Harbaugh asked.
He continued by stating his view on Henry’s status among elite runners: “There are so many greats, but in my mind, I think Derrick Henry is in that category. I put him in that category with those guys, and I know he still feels like he has a ton to prove, and I want him to prove a ton, because he’s with the Ravens. So, he has a long way to go in my mind. He has a lot of work to do. I’m going to let him know that. ‘Let’s get some work done here. Let’s get some yards stacked up over the next few years.’ Then, he will be the very best. How about that? Think that’ll motivate him?” The remarks were made by John Harbaugh.
As of now, Henry ranks nineteenth all-time in career rushing yards with 11,423 yards—between Steven Jackson and John Riggins on the list. Should Henry match his career average this season and add another 1,428 yards to his total, he would move up to tenth place overall and approach Eric Dickerson’s mark of 13,259 yards.
Regardless of where Henry finishes statistically at the end of his career or this season, observers have noted his influence during the past decade and characterized him as a Pro Football Hall of Fame-caliber talent who helped define an era at running back.
