In a stunning yet well-deserved recognition that reverberated through both the sports world and beyond, TIME magazine has officially honored Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry as one of its 2025 TIME 100 Most Influential People in Sports. It is a monumental acknowledgment, not just of Henry’s accomplishments on the football field, but of his far-reaching impact on culture, community, and the ongoing evolution of the athlete’s role in society. For years, Henry has been a towering figure in the NFL—both literally and metaphorically. But this honor marks a turning point, a moment where influence outweighs yards, accolades are driven not by trophies alone, but by the substance of the man wielding them.
The announcement was made during a live-streamed TIME 100 gala in New York City, where Henry was joined by athletes, philanthropists, activists, and artists who have all used their platforms to challenge norms, inspire global audiences, and influence generational change. While many within NFL circles have long recognized Henry’s significance to the game—especially with his jaw-dropping performances and record-breaking seasons—his placement on this prestigious list cements his status as more than just an athlete. It proclaims Derrick Henry as a cultural ambassador, a symbol of perseverance, and an agent of transformation.
Since entering the league in 2016, Derrick Henry has carried more than just the football—he’s carried the hopes of a franchise, the pride of Yulee, Florida, and the voice of a new-age athlete who understands that fame is fleeting but influence is enduring. As the NFL has evolved, so has Henry. The 2025 season finds him not only continuing to play at an elite level but also redefining leadership in the locker room and beyond. This year alone, Henry has championed numerous causes, launched education initiatives in under-resourced communities, and partnered with mental health organizations to provide resources for at-risk youth. These efforts reflect a broader, more thoughtful mission—to use his platform to address deeper social issues.
TIME’s editorial board was reportedly unanimous in its selection of Henry, describing him as a “force of nature, a modern-day gladiator with the soul of a servant-leader.” In a short documentary accompanying the release of the list, clips of Henry’s monstrous stiff-arms and 200-yard games are juxtaposed with scenes of him speaking at juvenile detention centers, mentoring high school athletes, and attending town halls on gun violence. The message is clear: Derrick Henry is not confined to sidelines or stat sheets—he’s embedded in the fabric of real-world change.
What truly sets Henry apart in 2025 is his ability to connect across generational lines. Younger fans admire his toughness and his consistent dominance in a physically grueling position. Older generations respect his throwback style—an homage to power runners like Earl Campbell, Jim Brown, and Eddie George. Teammates speak of his silent discipline, his tendency to lead by example rather than volume. Coaches laud his relentless work ethic and his refusal to cut corners. But perhaps most importantly, entire communities feel the warmth of his outreach, whether it’s through scholarship funds, free youth football camps, or Christmas toy drives that light up entire neighborhoods.
There is also the cultural relevance that Henry brings to the table. In an era where NFL running backs are often undervalued or dismissed in favor of high-powered passing offenses, Derrick Henry has stubbornly maintained the relevance of the ground game. His bruising style, marked by an otherworldly combination of size, speed, and balance, has forced coordinators to rethink defensive strategies and front offices to reconsider the value of a true workhorse back. It’s not just that Henry runs the ball—it’s how he does it. Every stiff-arm has become a meme. Every 70-yard dash feels like a mythological event. Social media erupts every time he delivers a highlight-reel play, and opposing defenders almost seem to flinch when his name is mentioned. Yet, despite the fame and fear his game inspires, Henry remains one of the most humble and grounded figures in professional sports.
This humility is rooted deeply in his upbringing. Raised by his grandmother in Yulee, Henry grew up in an environment defined by discipline, faith, and hard work. His story is well-documented—an explosive high school career that shattered national records, a Heisman-winning tenure at Alabama, and a slow, patient climb to NFL superstardom. But even as the spotlight intensified, Henry never abandoned his roots. He speaks often of the lessons passed down from his grandmother, who instilled in him the values of respect and responsibility. These are not just talking points—they are evident in every facet of his life, from his stoic interviews to the handwritten thank-you notes he sends to youth coaches around the country.
The 2025 edition of the TIME 100 also recognizes Henry’s burgeoning role in entertainment and media. Earlier this year, he served as executive producer for a docuseries highlighting the untold stories of athletes from rural backgrounds. The series, which aired on a major streaming platform, drew critical acclaim and spotlighted structural inequities in youth sports systems. His willingness to dive into storytelling, to give a voice to the voiceless, has not gone unnoticed. TIME noted that “Henry is writing a new blueprint for athletes—one where athletic excellence, personal humility, and social consciousness intersect in meaningful ways.”
Even off the field, Henry commands immense respect from his peers. Superstars from LeBron James to Simone Biles to Patrick Mahomes have publicly celebrated his recognition by TIME, praising not just his athletic prowess but his integrity. Biles, a fellow TIME 100 honoree, remarked in a post, “Derrick Henry is proof that greatness isn’t just measured in yards or wins—it’s measured in impact.” Mahomes added, “We all admire how he plays the game, but what he’s doing for people, for kids, for his community—that’s where the real MVP work happens.”
And there’s the irony. For all of the awards he’s received, from Pro Bowl nods to Offensive Player of the Year, for all the milestones—surpassing 10,000 career rushing yards, leading the league in rushing touchdowns multiple seasons—Derrick Henry seems most fulfilled not by what he’s done in stadiums, but by what he’s done in silence, in spaces where cameras rarely go, in acts of giving that rarely make headlines. That is the kind of influence TIME seeks to reward.
Critics will ask, what makes this different? Athletes give back all the time. But Henry’s distinction lies in his consistency. In a sports culture increasingly focused on personal brand and fleeting social trends, Henry has anchored himself in timeless values. He rarely courts controversy. He speaks when he has something meaningful to say. He listens. He shows up. Whether it’s flying back to Yulee for a high school fundraiser or mentoring a rookie going through off-the-field struggles, Henry’s presence is not performative. It is intentional, and it leaves lasting footprints wherever he walks.
With the 2025 NFL season underway and Henry once again leading the Titans offense, his influence continues to ripple outward. Young players entering the league see in him a roadmap not just to professional success, but to personal fulfillment. Parents see in him a role model for their children. Fans see in him a symbol of enduring grit and grace. And society now sees in him what TIME saw all along—a man whose influence stretches beyond the gridiron into the heart of human experience.
As Henry took the stage at the TIME 100 Gala to accept his award, his speech was brief but powerful. “I’m grateful to be recognized, but this is bigger than me. This is about showing young kids from small towns and tough beginnings that your circumstances don’t define your ceiling. Influence is not about how many people know your name—it’s about how many people you lift along the way.”
Those words—simple, honest, and powerful—encapsulate everything Derrick Henry stands for. In a world starved for authentic leadership, TIME 100’s recognition of him as a Sports Influential Icon in 2025 is more than symbolic. It’s a rallying cry. Derrick Henry’s story is no longer just a tale of touchdowns and trophies. It’s a legacy of leadership, influence, and purpose—and the world is better for it.
