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‘Obsessive’ Derrick Henry’s $250k ‘body maintenance’ plan that fueled $30million extension
Derrick Henry turned back the clock last season. Saquon Barkley may be the best-paid running back, but ‘King Henry’ is showing no signs of being ready to give up his throne without a fight. Henry remains a force to be reckoned withGetty Henry — now 31 — ran for 1,921 yards and played all 17 games in his first campaign as a Baltimore Raven. He has now agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension that features $25 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons. It is the biggest deal ever handed to a running back over the age of 30. The fearsome runner can thank the $250k-plus he sets aside for his body to remain in pristine condition and elite shape, even as he gets up there in age. “He spends more than a quarter million dollars on what he calls body maintenance,” Tom Rinaldi, FOX Sports’ sideline reporter said during a win over the Dallas Cowboys last season. “No fried food, no dairy, no gluten, no artificial sugars. Doesn’t eat until four or five o’clock during the season, maybe has a banana or avocado before practice.” There’s being committed and disciplined to your craft, and then there’s a ‘not eating anything except maybe a banana’ until five o’clock type level of commitment and discipline. The latter is clearly working for Henry. The ROI he is getting on his $250k ‘body maintenance’ plan was on full display behind a formidable Ravens line as the King ran in 16 scores — tied for the second most of his career and highest tally since he had 17 in the 2020 season. Turning 30 is seen as a death sentence for a running back in the NFL, but Henry is no ordinary athlete. Henry spends north of $250k on his body and it is paying off for him and the Ravens His workout regime is legendary The way he takes care of himself is not something many professional sportspeople are willing to do. “He’s like those huge EV-SUVs, smooth, fast, powerful,” starting tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s obsessive.” The longtime Tennessee Titan signed with the Ravens in free agency last offseason with the hopes of reinvigorating his game next to two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson. Henry isn’t the only professional athlete to spend a large amount on his body. LeBron James reportedly spends $1.5 million every year to keep his body in prime shape, Henry has carried the torch to the gridiron, following on from the likes of Tom Brady and Russell Wilson. NFL's Greatest...... Ranking the top 10...... Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady? Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top? Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare? There are certain levels to how you maintain your body as an aging professional athlete, but staying away from fried foods, dairy, gluten and artificial sugars sure seems to be working for Henry. The Ravens went 12-5 last season and dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 in the wild-card round. Henry ran riot with 186 yards and two scores on the ground. The wheels came off against the Buffalo Bills, with the man-mountain managing 86 yards and a score in a season-ending defeat. But Baltimore clearly thinks it has a contender for a roster and Henry will no doubt use a large wedge of his new contract to make sure there is plenty of tread still left on the tires.
Derrick Henry turned back the clock last season.
Saquon Barkley may be the best-paid running back, but ‘King Henry’ is showing no signs of being ready to give up his throne without a fight.
Henry — now 31 — ran for 1,921 yards and played all 17 games in his first campaign as a Baltimore Raven.
He has now agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension that features $25 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons.
It is the biggest deal ever handed to a running back over the age of 30.
The fearsome runner can thank the $250k-plus he sets aside for his body to remain in pristine condition and elite shape, even as he gets up there in age.
“He spends more than a quarter million dollars on what he calls body maintenance,” Tom Rinaldi, FOX Sports’ sideline reporter said during a win over the Dallas Cowboys last season.
“No fried food, no dairy, no gluten, no artificial sugars. Doesn’t eat until four or five o’clock during the season, maybe has a banana or avocado before practice.”
There’s being committed and disciplined to your craft, and then there’s a ‘not eating anything except maybe a banana’ until five o’clock type level of commitment and discipline.
The latter is clearly working for Henry.
The ROI he is getting on his $250k ‘body maintenance’ plan was on full display behind a formidable Ravens line as the King ran in 16 scores — tied for the second most of his career and highest tally since he had 17 in the 2020 season.
Turning 30 is seen as a death sentence for a running back in the NFL, but Henry is no ordinary athlete.
The way he takes care of himself is not something many professional sportspeople are willing to do.
“He’s like those huge EV-SUVs, smooth, fast, powerful,” starting tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s obsessive.”
The longtime Tennessee Titan signed with the Ravens in free agency last offseason with the hopes of reinvigorating his game next to two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson.
Henry isn’t the only professional athlete to spend a large amount on his body.
LeBron James reportedly spends $1.5 million every year to keep his body in prime shape,
Henry has carried the torch to the gridiron, following on from the likes of Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.
NFL's Greatest......
Ranking the top 10......
Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?
Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?
Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more
Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?
There are certain levels to how you maintain your body as an aging professional athlete, but staying away from fried foods, dairy, gluten and artificial sugars sure seems to be working for Henry.
The Ravens went 12-5 last season and dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 in the wild-card round.
Henry ran riot with 186 yards and two scores on the ground.
The wheels came off against the Buffalo Bills, with the man-mountain managing 86 yards and a score in a season-ending defeat.
But Baltimore clearly thinks it has a contender for a roster and Henry will no doubt use a large wedge of his new contract to make sure there is plenty of tread still left on the tires.
