Veteran running back Derrick Henry reached a top speed of 21.29 mph on a stunning 87-yard touchdown run as the Baltimore Ravens scored on their first offensive play of the game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills started with the ball on “Sunday Night Football” but were forced to punt early, and Henry took advantage of the slow start with an explosive burst down the field. He set a franchise record in just his fourth game as a Raven, as it was the longest touchdown run in Baltimore’s 29-year history.
Henry’s sprint was tied for the fourth-fastest speed recorded by a ball carrier this season, and the 27th time he’s exceeded 20 mph since 2018. The 30-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, despite being snubbed by multiple organizations in the offseason after departing the Tennessee Titans.
“That’s insane for a man of his size,” one fan wrote on X when reacting to Henry’s touchdown. “Derrick Henry is a freak of nature,” another added.
“Derrick Henry is a cheat code. Like, how is the dude that big and that fast?” One fan asked. “Derrick Henry shouldn’t be able to move like that at that size. He’s the best nonelusive running back I’ve ever seen,” another added.
Henry is not a conventional running back at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, but he won’t be forgotten in the NFL after dominating in the league ever since he was drafted in the second round by the Titans in 2016.
Henry had 28 rushing touchdowns in his final season with Alabama before declaring and winning the Heisman Trophy that year. He has consistently posted exceptional numbers and touchdowns are expected due to his power, but the ability to move with such speed while carrying the extra weight is unprecedented.
The 87-yard score was the third 80+ yard touchdown run of his career, and the only players with more are Chris Johnson (6) and Adrian Peterson (5). Johnson was 195 pounds and Peterson was 220 pounds, a significant decrease when comparing them with Henry.
NFL Network host Kyle Brandt also reacted to Henry’s run on Sunday, claiming that the Ravens running back will become a Hall of Famer in the NFL. “Derrick Henry is what happens when perfect genetics meet perfect worth ethic,” Brandt wrote on X.
“He has over 2000 carries. He should be beaten down and slow. But he’s out sprinting defensive backs seven years younger than him. Hall of Famer.”
Henry has 97 touchdowns (three receiving) in 122 career NFL games, with his best season falling in 2020 when he had 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns. He won the Offensive Player of the Year award that season, although his most memorable moment fell in 2018 when matching the NFL record for the longest run in history at 99 yards.
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