NEW YORK, August 1, 2025 — TIME magazine has named Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry as one of its 2025 TIME 100 Sports Influential Icons, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to football and his profound impact on communities both on and off the field. From his record-breaking high school career to his Heisman Trophy-winning tenure at the University of Alabama and his dominance as the NFL’s active rushing leader, Henry’s journey embodies resilience, excellence, and social good, cementing his status as a transformative figure in sports.

Born in Yulee, Florida, Henry’s legend began at Yulee High School, where he shattered the national high school career rushing record with 12,124 yards, a mark that stood for nearly six decades. His 4,261 yards and 55 touchdowns as a senior earned him accolades as a five-star recruit, drawing attention from top programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Choosing the Crimson Tide, Henry’s college career was nothing short of historic.

In 2015, as a junior, he rushed for an SEC-record 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns, breaking Herschel Walker’s single-season SEC rushing record and Shaun Alexander’s Alabama career rushing mark with 3,591 yards. His performance against Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship—158 yards and three touchdowns—helped secure Alabama’s title and earned him the Heisman Trophy, making him the second Alabama player to win the prestigious award after Mark Ingram in 2009. Henry also claimed the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Doak Walker Awards, solidifying his place among college football’s elite.

Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Henry, nicknamed “King Henry” for his 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame and punishing running style, quickly became a force. In 2020, he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season (2,027 yards), leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. Now in his tenth NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens, Henry continues to dominate, amassing 11,423 career rushing yards and 106 touchdowns, making him the active NFL rushing leader.

In 2024, he rushed for 1,921 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection and a third second-team All-Pro nod. His 100th career touchdown and 10,000th rushing yard in 2024 against the Cincinnati Bengals marked historic milestones, while his 186-yard, two-touchdown playoff performance against Pittsburgh set a Ravens franchise postseason record.

Beyond his on-field prowess, Henry’s off-field impact has been equally significant. Named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 10 in 2024, he provided winter coats for all 465 students at Curtis Bay Elementary in Baltimore, building on his earlier back-to-school giveaway at the same school. His philanthropy, rooted in supporting underprivileged youth and education, reflects a commitment to giving back that resonates with TIME’s criteria for influential icons. “Derrick’s ability to dominate on the field while uplifting communities embodies the spirit of a true icon,” said TIME editor-in-chief Jane Smith. “His work inspires the next generation of athletes and citizens.”

Henry’s influence extends to cultural moments, such as his appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” in June 2025, where host Dan Patrick promised him a role in an Adam Sandler movie if he achieves another 2,000-yard season. Fans and analysts alike continue to celebrate Henry’s humility, with the running back crediting teammates and predecessors like Shaun Alexander and Mark Ingram for his success.

“I just made my mark,” Henry said in 2024, deferring the title of Alabama’s greatest running back to Alexander.

As Henry, now 31, continues to chase Emmitt Smith’s all-time NFL rushing record—needing just 3,495 yards to surpass Adrian Peterson’s third-place mark—his legacy as a player and philanthropist grows. TIME’s recognition underscores his role as a trailblazer, proving that power, speed, and heart can redefine what it means to be a sports icon.