William Henderson (American football)

Last updated

William Henderson
Mark Schlereth and William Henderson and Mike Golic edit.jpg
Henderson and sailors watch Super Bowl XXXIX in the galley of USS Russell.
No. 30, 33
Position: Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1971-02-19) February 19, 1971 (age 53)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school: Thomas Dale (Chester, Virginia)
College: North Carolina
NFL draft: 1995  / Round: 3 / Pick: 66
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:123
Rushing yards:426
Rushing touchdowns:5
Receptions:320
Receiving yards:2,409
Receiving touchdowns:14
Player stats at PFR

William Terrelle Henderson (born February 19, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for 12 seasons with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), with whom he won Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was chosen by the Packers in the third round of the 1995 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life and college

Henderson attended Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Virginia. He played varsity football as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, but sat out his senior year due to a knee injury.

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Henderson finished his career with 145 carries for 750 yards (5.17 yards per carry avg.) and 14 receptions for 97 yards (6.93 yards per rec. avg.).

Professional career

Henderson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1995, and played every season in his career with the Packers. [1] He came into the league as number 30, but after cornerback Doug Evans left, changed his number to 33.

Henderson was durable and effective for the Packers, solidifying the team at fullback after moving into the starting role in 1996. Nine times in his first 11 seasons he played in all 16 games. [2] He was selected to 2004 Pro Bowl. His consistent play, especially in his later years, had many Packer players and fans calling him "Old Reliable."

Henderson played in 188 games for the Green Bay Packers putting him in 5th place for "Most Games Played" in the team's history. Only Brett Favre (255) Donald Driver (205), Bart Starr (196) and Ray Nitschke (190) played in more games for the Packers. He also blocked for six of the top nine individual rushing efforts in team annals — Dorsey Levens' 1,435 yards in 1997 (third), Ahman Green's 1,883 in 2003 (first), 1,387 in 2001 (fourth), 1,240 in 2002 (sixth), 1,175 in 2000 (seventh) and 1,163 in 2004 (ninth). [2] Henderson would be the lead blocker for a 1,000-yard running back for 9 of his 12 NFL seasons, for three different running backs: Edgar Bennett, Dorsey Levens, and Ahman Green.

Henderson was also valuable as pass catcher out of the backfield. As of 2008, he stands tenth all-time on the Packers' career receptions list with 320 (for 2,409 yards), and first among running backs. He also has 123 career rushing attempts for 426 yards. [2]

Henderson in 2013 at Green Bay after his retirement William Henderson 33 Green Bay Packers Dec 2013.jpg
Henderson in 2013 at Green Bay after his retirement

On March 7, 2007, the Packers released Henderson amidst rumors that the Packers were trying to sign fullback Justin Griffith. GM Ted Thompson released the following statement. "We are releasing William at this point so he can pursue other opportunities within the National Football League," GM Ted Thompson said. "The Packers organization is extremely appreciative of his efforts over the past 12 seasons. His leadership and work ethic set an excellent example for everyone in our locker room. It is difficult to part with a high-character individual like William. He has been an influential person on several outstanding Packers teams over his career. He always will be considered a Packer." He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2011. [3]

NFL statistics

Rushing stats [4]

YearTeamGamesCarriesYardsYards per CarryLongest CarryTouchdownsFirst DownsFumblesFumbles Lost
1995 GB 157355.0170100
1996 GB 16391303.31401200
1997 GB 16311133.61501100
1998 GB 1623703.0921000
1999 GB 167294.1102200
2000 GB 162168.0120000
2001 GB 166111.840200
2002 GB 157273.9101200
2005 GB 161-5-5.0-50011
Career1881234263.51754011

Receiving stats [4]

YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsYards per ReceptionLongest ReceptionTouchdownsFirst DownsFumblesFumbles Lost
1995GB153217.090000
1996GB16272037.52711310
1997GB16413679.02511711
1998GB16372416.51511311
1999GB16302036.82211111
2000GB16352346.7251911
2001GB16211939.2260800
2002GB15261686.51731200
2003GB16242148.92231400
2004GB16342397.03831500
2005GB16302648.83201300
2006GB1412625.2130300
Career1883202,4097.5381412854

Returning stats [4]

YearTeamGamesPunt Return AttemptsPunt Return YardsPunts Returned for TouchdownPunts Fair CaughtLongest Punt ReturnKickoffs Return AttemptsKickoff Return YardsKickoffs Returned for TouchdownKickoffs Fair CaughtLongest Kickoff Return
1996GB16000002380023
1999GB16000002230016
2000GB16000005800022
2001GB16000006620014
2003GB16000003330015
2004GB16000000160010
2005GB16000002200010
2006GB14000004410016
Career12600000263130023

Broadcasting career

Henderson has eight years (1999–2006) of broadcasting experience as co-host of Monday Night Kickoff, a show produced by Green Bay TV station WBAY. He also worked as an analyst as part of ESPN's NFL draft coverage April 2006.

Henderson resides in Richmond, Virginia. He was selected as Green Bay's 2001 'Unsung Hero,' in recognition of his efforts both on the field and in the community.

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References

  1. ↑ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Packers.com » Team » Players » William Henderson Archived January 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Christl, Cliff. "William Henderson". Packers.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "William Henderson Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
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