Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has been named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Henry is one of 32 nominees for the award (one from each team), which “honors players who have exhibited excellence on-the-field, and whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game.”
“The Walter Payton Man of the Year is a special honor and I’m truly humbled to be the Titans’ nominee,” Henry said, via Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “Helping others in need is something I hold close to my heart, and I’m fortunate to be able to help level the playing field for today’s youth through my foundation, the Two All Foundation. It is a blessing to be a blessing.”
Here’s a look at some of the things Henry has done to give back in 2021, per Wyatt:
-In March 2021, Henry made a $10,000 donation from his Two All Foundation to Jeremy Taylor, a Nashville firefighter who lost his family home and all their belongings in a fire. Taylor, a Titans season ticket holder, was surprised at his fire station with a $15,000 donation — $10,000 from Henry’s ‘Two All’ Foundation, along with a $5,000 contribution from Campbell’s Chunky Soup.
-In July 2021, for the fourth consecutive year, Henry hosted a back-to-school event in his hometown of Yulee, Florida. Through his Two All Foundation, Henry donated school supplies, backpacks, and bicycles to 200 kids.
-In September, Henry worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to host a back-to-school event through his Two All Foundation. Through Foundation sponsors and personal donations from Henry, they were able to meet B&GC’s goal of providing 5,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children in need, including $50 gift cards to Burlington for 25 children the club identified as the most in-need. Henry also hosted these 25 kids for an in-person, back-to-school shopping day with additional $100 gift cards, reflecting on how he grew up in a boys & girls club and went on to achieve great things. Henry hosted similar events in 2018 and 2019, even one shopping event for Metro Nashville Public School teachers in 2019.
-Earlier this year, Henry donated $20,000 to CORE Response to support their relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in August.
Each nominee will receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to the charity of their choice. The winner, which will be announced at the NFL Honors show on the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI, will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
Surprised @KingHenry_2 with a little help from his friends at @BGCMidTN 💙 #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/Wfada9mHMJ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 7, 2021
Henry is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, but the hope is that he can return in time for the playoffs.
