Henry wins the Heisman and a whole lot...

         

   In the long run, it was a near runaway. To use a football analogy, Henry, broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and raced for a touchdown.  At first, he was merely second fiddle to Leonard Fournette, the gifted LSU running back. In a big time SEC game, it was Henry who looked like the real deal while Fournette looked at the fresh green grass while lying on the field of play. From that moment on, Henry broke into the lead while the rest of the Heisman field tried to catch him. Just like his football runs for long distance touchdowns, there were others who attempted to stay even with him, but those long strides of his were just too much.

All smiles in the Tide nation for Derrick

            ESPN showed the country stirring films of why the three candidates, and why each could win. Each was worthy. All were qualified to win. ESPN showed us why they should be selected. There can only be a moment of truth on such a night. There can be only one winner. The name Henry was called out, and the echos of Staubach, Ingram, Blanchard, Griffin,  and all previous winners were whispered as well. Henry walked onto the stage, found the podium, and then showed the world why he won the Heisman trophy. The young man who broke all of Herschel Walker's records, now greatest running back in SEC history was introduced as the winner of the Heisman trophy.  But that was just the beginning of the night...

             I have to admit a tear of admiration for the young man from the Yulee, Florida. His speech was not eloquent like some we might hear, but it was full of thanks to all who helped him on his journey to NYC. The humble nature of the new Heisman winner was apparent. His love for his parents, his coaches, his school, and his teammates was the centerpiece of his acceptance speech. It was so compelling I’d bet it made a lot of Tide fans feel like they had helped him on his journey. Here was a young man who understood that it was God who gave him the physical gifts he shows off the football field. Here was a young man who thank his parents and his grandmother, in particular, who gave him priorities to set his sail straight. This young man thanked his coaches who gave him to the possibility to showcase his talent. You could see a smile on their faces. In Derrick Henry we saw a geniune human being. 

             I think that winning the Heisman was fitting. It is a wonderful recognition of his football skills. It sounded to me that Derrick Henry showed all of us that he had already won a much bigger trophy. Here is a young man who knows who he is and how he got to where he is today. Thank you, Derrick, for a lot of reasons, and that old statute is only small part of what I feel about you this morning.