Derrick Henry Named Titans Nominee For 2021 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award

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Titans running back Derrick Henry visits DuPont Hadley Middle School in Nashville, TN. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titan running back Derrick Henry is the organization’s nominee for the 2021 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award for his charity work in the Nashville community.

“The Walter Payton Man of the Year is a special honor and I’m truly humbled to be the Titans’ nominee,” says Henry. “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.”

Henry founded the Two All Foundation to level the playing field for today’s youth, so their future success isn’t limited by the circumstances of their upbringing, background, disability, or influence. In the spring of 2021, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame named Henry “Tennessean of the Year”–not only for his historic performance on the field, but also for his contributions as a leader in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee community.

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.

Titans running back Derrick Henry with Academy Sports + Outdoors to take 30 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee shopping for back to school clothes and shoes in Nashville, TN. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Then in September, Henry worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to host a back-to-school event. 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.

“I am proud of the work our players do in the community and appreciate the opportunity to highlight that work,” says Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel. “Derrick has a passion for making a difference for those who are in need and the young people in our community. His leadership on and off the field is a great example of what it means to be a professional football player.”

All 32 nominees will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of their accomplishments. They will also receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI, on ABC. The winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Steven Boero
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