Derrick Henry Honors His Grandmother After Graduating from Alabama
On a spring day in 2018, NFL star Derrick Henry walked across the stage at the University of Alabama, wearing his cap and gown with a quiet sense of triumph. To the outside world, he was already a Heisman Trophy winner, a powerhouse running back for the Tennessee Titans, and one of football’s most feared rushers. But this moment meant more than accolades or touchdowns. It was about fulfilling a promise — one made to his beloved grandmother, Gladys Henry, who had raised him, guided him, and inspired him to never give up on his dreams.
This wasn’t just a graduation. This was a moment of love, loss, and legacy. And Derrick Henry made sure the world knew exactly who it was for.
Humble Beginnings in Yulee, Florida
Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. was born on January 4, 1994, in Yulee, Florida — a small town with a population of just a few thousand. Raised by his young mother, Stacy Veal, and his grandmother, Gladys, Henry’s upbringing was far from easy. His father, Derrick Henry Sr., had been in and out of prison for much of Henry’s life. Stability was hard to come by — except when it came to Gladys.
Gladys Henry was the matriarch of the family, a woman of unwavering faith and resilience. She raised Derrick with a strong hand and a gentle heart, teaching him discipline, respect, and the importance of education. She nicknamed him “Shocka” because his birth had come as a surprise. But as he grew, there was nothing shocking about the young man he was becoming — kind, humble, and fiercely driven.
“She was everything to me,” Henry has often said. “She was like my mother, my father, my counselor, and my biggest supporter, all rolled into one.”
A Star in the Making
By high school, it was clear Derrick Henry was something special. At Yulee High School, he ran for over 12,000 yards and 153 touchdowns — breaking the national high school career rushing record. College scouts came calling from every direction. And when Alabama head coach Nick Saban offered him a spot in Tuscaloosa, Henry accepted, determined to make his grandmother proud.
He enrolled at the University of Alabama in 2013. Over the next three seasons, he would grow from a quiet freshman into a college football legend. In 2015, he led the Crimson Tide to a national championship, won the Heisman Trophy after rushing for over 2,200 yards, and set SEC records that still stand today. His decision to declare for the NFL Draft in 2016 was a no-brainer — he was ready. But something lingered in his heart.
“I told my grandmother before I left for the NFL that I was going to finish my degree,” Henry recalled. “That was something she always wanted for me. And I wasn’t going to let her down.”
Heartbreak and a Promise
Just before Henry’s NFL career officially began, tragedy struck. In September 2016, Gladys Henry passed away after a long illness. She had been sick for years but stayed strong for Derrick, following his every game, every move. She had been there for the Heisman ceremony, for the national championship, for the draft. But she wouldn’t get to see him take his first NFL snap.
Her death hit Henry hard. He had lost his rock. But even in her absence, her voice echoed in his mind: “Don’t forget who you are. And don’t forget what you promised.”
In the midst of his rookie season, while adjusting to the speed and brutality of professional football, Derrick Henry quietly began taking courses again. It wasn’t easy. The NFL schedule is unforgiving. But Henry chipped away at his remaining credits during the offseason and online.
In May 2018, two years after going pro, Henry walked across the stage at Coleman Coliseum to accept his bachelor’s degree in communications. He didn’t make a big scene or announce it with fanfare. But then he wrote a letter.
“I Did It, Grandma”
On the day of his graduation, Henry published a heartfelt open letter in The Players’ Tribune titled “I Did It, Grandma.” It was raw, emotional, and deeply personal — a tribute not just to his grandmother, but to every person who ever believed in him when he didn’t have much.
“I always told you that no matter what else happened in my life, I would make sure that I got my college degree,” he wrote. “I made that promise to you. And today, I did it. I graduated from Alabama.”
In the letter, Henry reflected on his childhood, on the challenges he faced growing up, and how Gladys had kept him grounded.
“You always told me that football would not last forever. That I had to be more than just a football player. You wanted me to be an educated black man. You wanted me to be someone who gave back to his community, who helped kids who were struggling.”
The letter quickly went viral, resonating with fans, athletes, and parents across the country. In an era where athletes are often reduced to stats and soundbites, Henry’s message was clear: education matters. Family matters. Promises matter.
Legacy and Leadership
Since graduating, Derrick Henry has become more than just an elite running back. He’s become a role model, a mentor, and a philanthropist. In 2020, he launched the “Two All Foundation,” a nonprofit dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through education, mentorship, and sports.
The name “Two All” has a double meaning. It honors his jersey number (22) and reflects his belief that “we’re all in this together.”
His foundation has funded scholarships, organized youth football camps, and provided school supplies for underprivileged students in Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. In interviews, Henry often says he sees himself in those kids — and he wants to be the voice that encourages them, just like his grandmother was for him.
“When you come from where I come from, you need someone to believe in you,” Henry told ESPN. “That’s what my grandma did for me. I just want to pass that on.”
On the Field, For Her
Henry’s accomplishments on the field continue to pile up. He’s earned multiple Pro Bowl selections, rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single NFL season, and led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game. Known for his punishing running style and unbreakable will, Henry is feared by defenses and revered by fans.
But every time he steps onto the field, he carries something invisible with him — a quiet strength born from his grandmother’s lessons.
“I think about her before every game,” he said in a 2020 interview. “I pray to her. I play for her.”
In 2022, he had her name stitched onto his cleats during the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” week. On one side, the cleats read “Gladys.” On the other: “Forever.”
A Symbol for More Than Football
Derrick Henry’s story isn’t just about a star athlete honoring a loved one. It’s about the intersection of dreams, family, sacrifice, and perseverance. It’s about understanding that success is not only about what you do for yourself, but also about the promises you keep for others.
When Henry graduated from Alabama, he didn’t just collect a diploma. He delivered on a pledge that transcended football — a promise rooted in love, loyalty, and legacy.
It was a message to every young athlete growing up in tough conditions. A message to every grandmother raising their grandkids with tough love and late-night prayers. A message that said:
No matter how far you go, never forget where you came from. And never forget who helped you get there.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Derrick Henry’s college graduation wasn’t about classrooms or credits. It was about purpose. It was about honoring the woman who saw greatness in him long before the rest of the world did.
“I did it, Grandma,” he wrote. And through those five simple words, he reminded us all that some victories are bigger than trophies.
They’re promises fulfilled.
