Although he was already considered likely for a future burial in Canton, Crows running back Derrick Henry nearly secured his eventual place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Thursday night win 28-6 against Dolphins.
Henry rushed 19 times for 119 yards in Miami and became the 17th player in NFL history to reach 12,000 career yards. He did it in style with an explosive 35-yard run late in the third quarter.
Every eligible running back who has rushed for at least 12,000 yards receives a gold jacket and bronze bust. Henry, 31, is once again rubbing shoulders with some of the world's best runners. NFL history, joining a list that includes Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith, among others.
NFL 12,000 yard rushers
|
1. Emmitt Smith** |
18,355 |
|
2. Walter Payton** |
16,726 |
|
3. Frank Gore |
16,000 |
|
4. Barry Sanders** |
15,269 |
|
14.918 |
|
|
6. Curtis Martin** |
14 101 |
|
7. LaDainian Tomlinson** |
13,684 |
|
8. Jerome Bettis** |
13,662 |
|
9. Eric Dickerson** |
13,259 |
|
10. Tony Dorsett** |
12,739 |
|
11. Jim Brown** |
12 312 |
|
12. Marshall Faulk** |
12,279 |
|
13. Edgerrin James** |
12,246 |
|
14. Marcus Allen** |
12 243 |
|
15. Franco Harris** |
12 120 |
|
16. Thurman Thomas** |
12,074 |
|
17. Derrick Henry |
12,052 |
** — Pro Football Hall of Fame
Henry's legacy was most likely already sent to Canton before his final milestone. He recently passed Payton for fifth all-time in receiving touchdowns (112). He is now one of eight players in NFL history with at least 100 rushing touchdowns and 12,000 yards.
Henry's 1,921 yards last year were the most for a player over 30 years old. It is also the most rushing yards in league history for a player who did not win a rushing title.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, Henry's other NFL accolades include consecutive rushing titles and becoming the ninth player in history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
Although he has been underrated in recent years, Henry is proof that the running back position is still alive and well.
