Derrick Henry didn’t just show up for Week 1; he came out guns blazing in the Baltimore Ravens’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts and absolutely shredded the record books. We’re talking a massive, history-making performance that saw him shoot straight up to the No. 3 spot on the NFL’s all-time list for career rushing touchdowns. Can you believe it? Week 1, and the dude’s already rewriting history!
The King’s Dominant Start
King Henry rolled into Sunday’s game already sitting pretty at fourth all-time in career rushing TDs, a legacy most players only dream of. But he clearly had bigger plans. With just over four minutes left in the first quarter, he powered his way into the end zone from four yards out. That score gave the Ravens a 14-7 lead, but more importantly, it marked his 123rd career rushing touchdown. Boom! That tied him up with the legendary Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. You could practically hear the collective gasp across the league.
But hold up, because Henry wasn’t even close to being done. In the second quarter, he cranked it up another notch, breaking free for a ridiculous 32-yard touchdown run. Seriously, that play was a clinic: you saw his incredible vision, that signature, unstoppable strength, and then BAM, the closing speed to leave everyone in the dust. That second score of the half wasn’t just a highlight reel play; it officially catapulted him past Allen, cementing his place as the third-most prolific rushing touchdown scorer *ever*. What a way to put a stamp on the first game of the year!
Joining the Immortals
Think about that for a second: passing Marcus Allen. This isn’t just some random dude; Allen retired after the 1997 season as the NFL’s *career leader* in touchdown runs. The man was pure gold: Super Bowl XVIII MVP, the 1985 NFL MVP, and even snagged the 1993 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He was the first player *ever* to hit 10,000 rushing and 5,000 receiving yards in his career. And get this, his 74-yard run in Super Bowl XVIII stood as the longest in Super Bowl history for 22 freaking years, before Willie Parker finally broke it in Super Bowl XL! So yeah, Derrick Henry just joined some seriously hallowed ground.
Now, who’s still ahead of Henry on this absolutely mind-boggling list? Only two more certified legends: Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson. Smith, the NFL’s all-time career rushing leader, piled up an insane 164 touchdowns over his 15 seasons with the Cowboys and Cardinals. Tomlinson, another icon, ripped off 145 touchdowns across his 11 years with the Chargers and Jets. Henry also came into Sunday’s game already ranking 10th all-time in career rushing yards. And get this: he’s less than 1,000 rushing yards away from becoming only the seventh player *ever* to hit that incredible 14,000-yard mark.
So, what’s next for The King? He’s got Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson in his sights on that career rushing TDs list. And with that 14,000-yard club so close, you know he’s going to be chasing those milestones hard. This is just Week 1, folks! We’re watching a living legend add new chapters to his story, and honestly, you just gotta love seeing it unfold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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