Former Alabama RB Derrick Henry ties Walter Payton on NFL’s all-time rushing TD list
By David Wasson
Published:
Former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry continues to climb up the NFL record books, scoring his 110th career rushing touchdown Sunday in a game against the Houston Texans.
Henry, who starred with the Tennessee Titans for 8 seasons before heading to the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent in 2024, moved into a tie with Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton with this 1-yard plunge in the third quarter against the Houston Texans.
Henry won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama in 2015 as part of a 3-year run with the Crimson Tide that included 42 touchdown runs. Henry’s 2015 alone was a 28-TD season – and he also rushed for 153 touchdowns at Yulee (Fla.), which ranks fifth all-time nationally.
Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season in Baltimore last year, but 2025 has been more modest – as he entered Sunday’s game with 284 rushing yards and 3 TDs.
Henry – who is the active leader in TD runs – is still 54 touchdown runs behind the NFL’s all-time leader, as Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith recorded 164 in his Hall of Fame career. Former Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson is next on the list for Henry, sitting at 4th with 120 TD runs.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
