Derrick Henry just blew up Week 1, and the NFL’s all-time greats are already crowning him. The Baltimore Ravens running back put on a dominant show Sunday, rolling over the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener. He earned some serious admiration from legends like LaDainian Tomlinson and Barry Sanders, and honestly, can you blame them? After watching Henry run wild and make history, it’s clear he is not slowing down one bit. He’s not just playing football, he’s rewriting the record books, and it’s barely September.
King Henry’s Historic Start
What a way to kick off his age-32 season, right? Henry didn’t just win, he dominated the game in every way. He steamrolled the Colts defense for a staggering 144 rushing yards, punching in three crucial touchdowns. That’s not just a good game, that’s pure history unfolding. Those three scores officially pushed him past Marcus Allen for third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdown leaderboard. Think about that for a second. He’s now trailing only Emmitt Smith, who boasts 164 career rushing touchdowns, and Tomlinson himself, with 145. It gets even wilder: Emmitt Smith, the all-time rushing touchdown leader, already went on record saying he believes Henry could eventually break his record. This isn’t just a strong start, it’s a resounding statement that the King is coming for the throne, and he is coming fast.
Legends Are Taking Notice and Dropping Bombshell Comparisons
When you hear LaDainian Tomlinson and Barry Sanders, two of the absolute greatest running backs ever, comparing you to *Jim Brown*, you know you’re doing something truly special. Tomlinson didn’t mince words, telling The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, “To me, he’s the modern-day Jim Brown. That’s what he is.” That’s a comparison you don’t throw around lightly. Sanders echoed that sentiment, also comparing Henry to both Jim Brown and the powerful Earl Campbell, and his praise was extensive. Sanders admires Henry’s “consistent greatness,” pointing out his incredible journey from high school to the Heisman and soon to the Hall. “He has been great at every level, and it’s hard to be consistent at such a high level over so many years,” Sanders added, stating, “What Derrick has done from a young age until now is just incredible. I love to watch him run.” When those guys speak, you listen.
This isn’t just about one incredible Week 1 performance, either. Henry racked up an insane 1,595 rushing yards last year. He’s clearly shown he is still an unstoppable force, and he’s not just climbing the touchdown charts. He’s heading into Week 2 needing only 97 more yards to surpass Eric Dickerson for ninth on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaderboard. That’s a lot of legendary names getting moved down the list by one man who just refuses to age like everyone else.
What’s Next For The King
So, what’s next for this freight train? The Ravens are kicking off their anticipated home opener this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, and they’re facing off against the New Orleans Saints. It’s a prime opportunity for Henry. The Saints run defense just let Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs rack up a whopping 156 rushing yards. If Henry sees that kind of daylight, we could easily be looking at another monstrous performance. He’s already making history on multiple fronts, and this season looks like it could be a truly special one for the King. You absolutely have to tune in to see what he does next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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