Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz talks with Ravens running back Derrick Henry about his departure from the Tennessee Titans after eight seasons and his interactions with MVP Lamar Jackson. Derrick came to Yahoo Sports on behalf of Pepsi.
Video transcript
Jason Fitz of Yahoo Sports hangs out with King Derek Henry and is with us on behalf of Pepsi.
You are now a member of the Baltimore Ravens, but I know Nashville very well and Nashville has a special relationship with you.
I don’t think the national media realizes how much this city loves you for who you are.
How difficult was the decision to stop supporting the Titans?
Yeah, I mean, it’s always hard.
Um, you know, when you’ve been somewhere for eight years, um, and you feel so much love for this city, for the organization, um, for the whole Nashville community.
Um, you know, I’ve grown a lot as a person and as a player in these eight years.
So I’m really grateful for everything that has happened over the years and for the support of everyone involved, my coaches and teammates, everyone in the organization and the fans.
I think it’s safe to say you’ve never played with a quarterback like Lamar, right?
So what is the moment in practice that you pay attention to?
And you say, man, that’s the guy who’s on this team with me.
Yeah, it’s cool, man.
Just to, uh, you know, be on that side of the ball now and, uh, you know, uh, play with him.
We all know what type of player he is.
And this is about his attitude towards daily work.
He comes to work and, uh, you know, he works his ass off, and uh, you see why he’s so great, and uh, I’m excited to be his teammate and go out on Sundays and they’re going to get some WS, there’s a bunch of idiots like me in front of a microphone constantly saying, well, he’s going to run into a wall.
You can’t take so many hits and play so many games over the course of your career without hitting the wall at some point.
Do you hear any of the noise that will never start, whether it’s me or the next person?
I mean, that’s just what happens.
I mean, that’s part of it.
I mean, there will be, there will be talk, there will be noise.
I’m just worried about being in control. I can control what you can control, and that’s going out there and playing at a high level consistently every week.
How do you adjust to the Ravens culture and the teams you absolutely hate to play against?
Yes, I’m sure they will, uh, uh, acclimatize me well once the season starts.
Um, I know the main thing here is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they say you’re not a Raven until you beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So you still have a bit of a way to go and we will cross the bridge when we get there.
But yes, this rivalry with the Steelers definitely exists here in Baltimore.
Tell us what you do with Pepsi.
Yes, Pepsi has a campaign.
Make your game day epic.
Um, with the, um, gladiator theme.
Um, everyone’s seen the movie Gladiator, um, Gladiator 2 is coming out.
I think it’s just an exciting time for Pepsi and I was very happy to be part of the campaign to kick off the 2024 season.
I think everyone will love the new commercial in the season opener campaign.
Um, yeah, I was able to shoot the commercial with Josh Allen when you were talking to Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelsey and Maggie Stallion about her remake song “We Will Rock.”
And um, yeah, I was allowed to fly to Canada to shoot a commercial.
It is my first visit to Canada.
Thanks, Pepsi.
Um, I think it’s a great campaign.
I think everyone will like it.
