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Derrick Henry is renowned for his strong running style and incredible physique. Henry can be seen throwing defenders around the field most Sundays for the Tennessee Titans. He strives to be the very best and is one of the most reliable running backs in the league.
His late grandmother Gladys Henry nurtured him. She was Henry's primary source of motivation and the driving force behind his quest for education. Henry still remembers her calling him "Shocka" and has a tattoo of her name on his chest.
His grandmother was fond of calling him by the nickname (Shocka) because he "shocked the whole family" upon birth. His parents were very young when he was born, which was one of the reasons his grandma took it upon herself to raise him. When he was born, his mom and dad were only 15 and 16, respectively. He spent the majority of his life living with his mother and grandmother because his father was in and out of jail.
Derrick Henry's relationship with his grandma improved throughout his youth. Henry wrote a letter referring to her as his best friend after graduating from college with a degree in communications. Henry was tearing up and down Kutana Drive in front of Grandma's house long before he set records at the University of Alabama. Derrick Henry reflects fondly on their relationship:
"We had a great relationship. She and I were wholly reliant on each other; we couldn’t do anything without each other."
Derrick Henry's grandmother's illness
Gladys Henry could not be in New York the night he won the Heisman Trophy in 2015 due to a respiratory illness. When the Tennessee Titans selected Derrick Henry in the second round, Gladys would write letters to him while she was in the hospital. She wrote because she couldn't talk.
Gladys Henry reflected on his Heisman award:
"It was one of the biggest moments of my life."
On September 13, 2016, two days after Henry made his NFL debut, Gladys passed away. She was a woman of incredible strength, poise and compassion and left a tremendous impression on her grandson. He is truly a testament to her lasting legacy.
