Derrick Henry’s adaptation to life as a Baltimore Raven

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz talks to Ravens running back Derrick Henry about moving on from the Tennessee Titans after eight seasons and teaming up with MVP Lamar Jackson. Derrick joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of Pepsi.

See more

Video transcription

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz hanging out with the King Derek Henry with us on behalf of Pepsi.

Now you’re a member of the Baltimore Ravens, but I’m very familiar with Nashville and Nashville has a special relationship with you.

I don’t think the national press realizes how much that city loves you.

How difficult was the decision to move on from being part of the Titans?

Yeah, I mean, it’s always hard.

You know, when you’ve been somewhere for eight years, and you have so much love for that city, for the organization, for the whole Nashville community.

You know, I’ve grown so much as a person and as a player through these eight years.

So I’ve really appreciated everything that’s happened over the years with everyone involved, my coaches and teammates, everyone in the organization and the fans supporting me.

I think it’s fair to say you’ve never played with a quarterback like Lamar, right?

So what is that moment in practice that you are looking for?

And you say, man, this is the guy that’s with me on this team.

Yeah, it’s cool, man.

Just you know, be on this side of the ball now and you know, uh be, play with him.

We all know what kind of player he is.

And that’s about his approach to work every day.

He comes to work and, you know, he kicks his ass and um, you see why he’s so cool and I’m excited to be his teammate and go out there on Sunday and they’re going to get some WS, they’re a bunch of idiots like me in the face of a microphone constantly saying, well, it’s going to hit a wall.

You can’t take that many hits and that many carries throughout his career, not eventually hit a wall.

Do you hear any noise from that noise that will never start, whether it’s me or the next guy?

I mean, that’s exactly what happens.

I mean, that comes with it.

I mean, er, er, there will be talk, there will be noise.

All I’m concerned about is that I can control, I can control what you can control and that’s me going out there and playing at a high level every week consistently.

How do you acclimate to the Ravens culture of teams they absolutely hate playing?

Yeah, I’m sure they’ll get me, uh, uh, pretty acclimated once the season starts.

I know the biggest thing around here is the Pittsburgh Steelers and they say you’re not a Raven until you beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So you’ve got a long way to go and we’ll, uh, cross that bridge when we get there.

But, yes, that rivalry is definitely real here in Baltimore with the Steelers.

Tell us what you do with Pepsi.

Yes, Pepsi has a campaign.

Make your game day epic.

Um, gladiator themed.

Everyone has seen the Gladiator movie, Gladiator 2 is coming out.

I think it’s just an exciting time for Pepsi and I was very happy to be a part of the campaign to kick off the 2024 season.

I think everyone is going to love the new, new ad in, in, in the campaign to start the season.

Yeah I got it, I was able to shoot the commercial with Josh Allen when you talked to Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelsey and Maggie Stallion with her We Will Rock you uh remake track.

And yes, I have to fly to Canada to shoot a commercial.

This is my first time going to Canada.

Thanks, Pepsi.

I think it’s a great campaign.

I think everyone will like it.

Almost