John Henderson (defensive tackle)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1979)}}
{{Other people|John Henderson}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = John Henderson
| image = John Henderson (defensive tackle).JPG
| alt =
| caption = Henderson with the Raiders in 2011
| number = 98, 79
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|9}}
| birth_place = Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 335
| high_school = Pearl-Cohn Comprehensive
(Nashville, Tennessee)
| college = Tennessee
| draftyear = 2002
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 9
| pastteams = * Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2009}})
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2010}}–{{NFL Year|2011}})
| highlights = * Second-team All-Pro (2006)
- 2× Pro Bowl (2004, 2006)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2002)
- BCS national champion (1998)
- Outland Trophy (2000)
- Unanimous All-American (2001)
- Consensus All-American (2000)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (2000, 2001)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 489
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 29.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 8
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 5
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 45
| pfr = HendJo99
| CollegeHOF = 2551
}}
John Nathan Henderson (born January 9, 1979), nicknamed "Big John" or "Big Hen", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was a two-time consensus All-American. The Jacksonville Jaguars chose him in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, and he was selected for the Pro Bowl twice. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. Henderson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.{{cite web | url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2025/1/15/nff-announces-all-star-2025-college-football-hall-of-fame-class.aspx | title=NFF Announces All-Star 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class | publisher=National Football Foundation | date=January 15, 2025 | accessdate=16 January 2025}}
Early life
Henderson was born in Nashville, Tennessee.{{Cite web |last=Shipley |first=John |date=February 17, 2024 |title=Former Jaguars DL John Henderson Named to Tennessee Volunteers Hall of Fame |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/jaguars/news/former-jaguars-dl-john-henderson-named-to-tennessee-volunteers-hall-of-fame |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He attended Pearl-Cohn Comprehensive High School in Nashville, where he played defensive tackle and tight end for the Pearl Cohn Firebirds high school football team.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=George |date=July 23, 2023 |title=How John Henderson's time at Pearl-Cohn, Tennessee football led to Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2023/07/23/john-henderson-tennessee-football-pearl-cohn-tennessee-sports-hall-of-fame-induction/70451928007/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} His teams won back-to-back state championships during his junior and senior years.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson, Tennessee Volunteers, Defensive Tackle |url=https://247sports.com/player/john-henderson-51359/college-87543/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}} He was named All-State as a junior when he had 145 tackles and 15 sacks, along with 37 catches for 470 yards and 9 touchdowns. As a senior, he finished with 150 tackles and 32 sacks, to go with 45 catches for 560 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also selected as a High School All-American by Parade magazine, USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated, National Recruiting Advisor, and Super Prep. He was ranked as the 7th best high school player in The Sporting News Top 100 and was ranked 1st in the state of Tennessee by the Knoxville News Sentinel and the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Henderson also was named All-State in basketball.[http://www.jaguars.com/news/pdf/2009/Veterans.pdf Jaguars 2009 Media Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205054259/http://jaguars.com/News/pdf/2009/Veterans.pdf |date=February 5, 2010 }}
College career
While attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Henderson played for coach Phillip Fulmer's Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1998 to 2001.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson - Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/john-henderson/14190 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} At Tennessee, he lined up at left defensive tackle next to Albert Haynesworth. He played in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, 2000 Cotton Bowl Classic, and 2001 Citrus Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Shelton |first=Will |date=July 26, 2008 |title=Tennessee Volunteers' 1998 National Championship: Part XII |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/41288-tennessee-volunteers-1998-national-championship-part-xii |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} As a sophomore, Henderson recorded 43 tackles and four sacks in seven starts. As a junior, Henderson recorded 71 tackles (21 for a loss) and 12 sacks. He won the Outland Trophy as college football's top interior lineman and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2000, having received first-team honors from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, Football News, CNN/SI, and Rivals.com.2011 NCAA Football Records Book, [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 24, 2012.{{Cite web |title=John Outland Trophy Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/outland.html |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Consensus All-America Teams (2000-2009) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2000 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} After finishing with 48 tackles (nine for a loss) and 4.5 sacks in 10 starts, Henderson was again recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 2001. He finished his college career with 165 tackles (130 solo and 39 for loss) and 20.5 sacks (5th in school history), seven pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 6 7/8
| weight = 308
| dash = 4.87
| shuttle = 4.66
| cone drill = 7.71
| vertical = 27.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 2
| bench = 24
| arm span = 34 1/2
| hand span = 8 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=810&DraftYear=2002 |title=2002 Draft Scout John Henderson, Tennessee NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=5951 |title=John Henderson, Combine Results, DT - Tennessee |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=March 22, 2023}}
}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Henderson was the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-round pick (9th overall) in the 2002 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=March 18, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished his rookie season with 53 tackles (44 solo), 6.5 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble in 16 games (13 starts).{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2002.htm |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2003, he had 56 tackles (45 solo and 13 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 33 quarterback pressures in 16 starts.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2004, he finished with 75 tackles (62 solo and 5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, and 39 QB pressures in 16 starts and was selected to his first Pro Bowl.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/probowl.htm |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2005, Henderson had 70 tackles (52 solo and 4 for loss), 3 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 20 QB pressures in 16 games (15 starts).{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2005/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He also started in the Jaguars' lone playoff game and recorded 5 tackles and 1 sack.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots - January 7th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601070nwe.htm |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On March 21, 2006, Henderson signed a new 6 year, $34 million contract extension with the Jaguars through 2011. The contract also contains $13.4 million guaranteed.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023094836/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jagshenderson Yahoo Sports: Jaguars sign DT Henderson to six-year extension] Henderson responded with 51 tackles (38 solo and 6 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 7 QB pressures, as well as his second Pro Bowl selection.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2006 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2006/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/probowl.htm |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was also named an AP Second Team All-Pro.{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/allpro.htm |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was filmed by the NFL Network getting pumped up for a game by having a team trainer slap him in the face.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4cXZGkRMCY YouTube: John Henderson's pregame warmup] In 2007, Henderson finished with 38 tackles (28 solo), 2 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 13 QB pressures in 15 starts, marking the first time in his career he did not play all 16 games.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Henderson started both playoff games for the Jaguars, finishing with 9 tackles and 2 sacks. In March 2008, Henderson's good friend and fellow defensive tackle Marcus Stroud was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Henderson finished the 2008 season with 44 tackles (34 solo), 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in 14 games.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2009 off-season, Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio was critical of Henderson for pulling out of OTAs, claiming he was faking a shoulder injury to avoid having to participate.{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2009 |title=Del Rio Calls Out John Henderson |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/del-rio-calls-out-john-henderson |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Although many believed Henderson would be released, he met privately with Del Rio and claimed that he had "bought in".{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2009 |title=John Henderson Responds To Del Rio |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/john-henderson-responds-to-del-rio |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Henderson finished the 2009 season with 36 tackles (26 solo), 3 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Henderson was released by the Jaguars on April 26, 2010.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2010 |title=Jags release two-time Pro Bowl DT Henderson |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5136281 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
=Oakland Raiders=
On June 11, 2010, Henderson signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2010 |title=Source: Raiders, DT Henderson agree on deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5276220 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} He played in nine games and two starts. He recorded 30 total tackles and three passes defended.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On February 24, 2011, he signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Raiders.{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2011|agency=Associated Press |title=Raiders, John Henderson reach deal |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2011/02/25/raiders-john-henderson-reach-deal/15912948007/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}} He finished the 2011 season with 36 total tackles and four passes defended in 13 games and three starts.{{Cite web |title=John Henderson 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Following the 2011 season, he was released on March 14, 2012.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2012 |title=Henderson, Carlisle latest Raiders to be cut |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7687072/john-henderson-cooper-carlisle-latest-oakland-raiders-cut |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | GP | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | JAX
| 16 || 53 || 44 || 9 || 6.5 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 2003 | JAX
| 16 || 56 || 45 || 11 || 3.5 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2004 | JAX
| 16 || 75 || 62 || 13 || 5.5 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2005 | JAX
| 16 || 70 || 52 || 18 || 3.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | JAX
| 16 || 51 || 38 || 13 || 3.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 2007 | JAX
| 15 || 38 || 28 || 10 || 2.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | JAX
| 14 || 44 || 34 || 10 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2009 | JAX
| 15 || 36 || 26 || 10 || 3.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2010 | OAK
| 9 || 30 || 24 || 6 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2011 | OAK
| 13 || 36 || 25 || 11 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99.htm Career] | 146 | 489 | 378 | 111 | 29.0 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
Personal life
Henderson met his wife Aleviar while attending the University of Tennessee in 2001. They were married on March 10, 2007. Together they have six children: Ja’ Mari, Anaiya, Talia, Ayden, Asa, and Ari Henderson. Their daughter Talia was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and died at age 7 in 2011. In Talia's honor, the Hendersons have made a commitment to help improve the quality of life of other children with disabilities through their nonprofit organization Luvthekidz.{{Cite web |title=Staff Pages |url=https://luvthekidz.org/?elementor_library=staff-pages |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=LuvTheKidz |language=en-US}}
The Hendersons have owned and operated several businesses in the US. In 2007, Henderson opened a clothing store in Jacksonville called "4 Big Men by Big Hen" that sold big and tall clothing.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Michael C. |title=Talented Gates will gest safeties |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111707/jag_218369999.shtml |access-date=December 22, 2022 |work=Florida Times-Union |date=November 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119134402/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111707/jag_218369999.shtml |archive-date=November 19, 2007}} In 2011 the Hendersons opened Aleviar's VIP Lounge and Jazz Bar in Jacksonville, as well as Coast2Coast Trucking in Los Angeles. In 2012, Henderson opened multiple restaurant locations in Jacksonville called "Big John's Crumpy's Wings & Things"; the restaurant closed in 2015.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=H/HendJo99}}
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/john-henderson/14190 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Outland Trophy}}
{{1998 Tennessee Volunteers football navbox}}
{{2000 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2001 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2002 NFL Draft}}
{{Jaguars2002DraftPicks}}
{{JaguarsFirstPick}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henderson, John}}
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Players of American football from Nashville, Tennessee