Heisman Trophy Winner Derrick Henry Gives Glory to God in Emotional Speech
Alabama’s Derrick Henry claimed one of college football’s most coveted trophies recently, becoming the first non-quarterback to take home the Heisman in the last 15 years.
But when the junior gave his acceptance speech, he knew who to thank first and foremost.
“I’m a little nervous. I don’t do this every day. But first off, I just want to thank God for bringing me here and winning this prestigious award,” Henry says in the emotional speech. “He’s been so good for me in my life and I’ve been honored and blessed to get this opportunity. Since I was a kid, this has been a lifelong goal and a dream of mine, and I’m just so thankful.”
According to ESPN, Henry ties with famed SEC athletes Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker for most games with 200 yards rushed.
“You can’t be happier for a young man who has done so much for so long who worked real hard to reach his dreams,” Head Coach Nick Saban told the Anniston Star. “I don’t know how anyone could represent the university in a more first-class way.”
But Henry himself looks to God for his work ethic, and says prayer was the catalyst for his football career.
“It’s just God, man. I prayed every night just asking God to guide me in the right place. I know I have the right people in front of me that’ll do that for me,” Henry told The Star. “I know I have the right men in my teammates that will help me grow as a player. People I’ve learned from growing up who helped me get to this moment, man. God is so good, and if you pray to Him, He’ll hear you and He’ll prepare everything that you asked for.”
ESPN lists Henry’s signature moment as his rush for 271 yards in the 2015 Iron Bowl against Auburn.
“It was the most rushing yards for a player from either school in the Iron Bowl (breaking the mark previously held by Bo Jackson) and the third-most in a game in school history. Henry also set the school single-season rushing mark in this game,” the report says.
Other top college coaches have praised Henry’s skills, as well.
“Derrick is a bigger downhill runner. Last year, Leonard was returning kickoffs, which tells you what kind of open-field speed he has. He was a really good returner,” Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin says.
Tennessee’s Butch Jones says: “Henry gets his shoulders north and south, he can make people in the second level miss and he has finishing speed. You’ve got to get a lot of hats to the football.”
But Henry brings it back to God, even for those looking to put him on a pedestal.
“I hope I’m somebody you can idolize yourself behind and look up to, because God is everything, and always keep God first, always pray, don’t be afraid to pray, he’ll always hear your cry, and if you have dreams, go chase them,” Henry says. “If you believe it, you can achieve it, and God will be there every step of the way. I’m a living testament, man.”
Watch the video to see the rest of Henry’s speech.
