TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama Football former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL superstar Derrick Henry has personally committed to funding the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts for the University of Alabama’s entire roster of walk-on football players for the 2025 season.
The historic move, announced Tuesday through Henry’s “King Henry’s Decree” foundation, ensures that every non-scholarship player—the unsung heroes who toil in practice daily for the love of the game—will receive meaningful financial compensation for their commitment. This act single-handedly redefines how superstar alumni can impact their programs in the NIL era, shifting the focus from individual enrichment to collective team support.
Henry, renowned for his punishing running style on the field and his quiet humility off it, explained that the decision was rooted in his appreciation for the teammates who helped pave his own path to glory.
“Championships are built by every single person in the locker room, not just the guys you see on TV,” Henry stated in a release from his foundation. “I remember the scout team guys who gave us their all every single day in practice. They bleed crimson just like everyone else. A scholarship doesn’t define your value to the team. This is about recognizing their sacrifice and telling them they are seen, they are valued, and they are a critical part of this program’s success.”
The financial details were not fully disclosed, but the commitment is expected to provide each of the several dozen walk-on players with a monthly stipend that will significantly ease the financial burden of being a full-time student and athlete. For many, it means not having to work a part-time job and being able to fully dedicate themselves to their studies and to the team.
The news was met with an emotional and overwhelmingly positive response from the Alabama program. Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, who was reportedly notified by Henry last week, praised the running back’s character and leadership.
“Derrick Henry’s legacy at Alabama was already set in stone, but this elevates it to a whole new level,” Coach DeBoer said. “This is one of the most selfless acts I have ever seen in sports. It sends a powerful message to our team about what it means to be an Alabama man. It’s about brotherhood, sacrifice, and lifting up those around you. The impact on our team’s culture and morale is immeasurable.”
While multi-million dollar NIL deals for star quarterbacks and skill players have become commonplace, walk-ons have largely been left out of the financial boom. They pay their own tuition and often struggle to make ends meet while facing the same grueling demands as their scholarship teammates.
One senior walk-on, who wished to remain anonymous, described the players’ reaction as “pure disbelief and gratitude.”
“We do this because we love Bama football, and we never expect anything for it,” he said. “To have a legend like Derrick Henry—the king—do this for us is life-changing. It’s not just the money. It’s knowing that someone who has reached the absolute pinnacle of the sport recognizes our work. It makes you want to run through a brick wall for this team.”
Henry’s decree sets a new philanthropic standard in college sports, proving that NIL can be a tool not just for individual gain, but for fostering unity and rewarding the heart and soul of a team.
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