Training Derrick Henry: An inside look at the rushing champion’s intense work-out regimen

By John Glennon

Only a few moments after the Titans trudged off the field following their season-ending playoff loss to Kansas City, Melvin Sanders' cellphone began buzzing.

The Dallas-based professional trainer looked at it first in disbelief, then realized he probably shouldn't be so shocked after all.

On the other end of the line was Titans running back Derrick Henry, who was FaceTiming Sanders from the locker room in Arrowhead Stadium. Henry's message to Sanders, delivered with the sights and sounds of frustrated Titans teammates in the background, was succinct and simple:

“He just said, 'It's time to get back to work,'” Sanders said. “I said, 'Dude, you just finished the season. Let your body recover first.' But he didn't want to hear any of that. I'm just like, 'You know what? This kid's different.'”

Said Henry by way of explanation: “After that game, I was definitely motivated, so I was just ready to get back at it. That's what I like about Melvin. Anytime I hit him, he's ready to work. That's the type of mindset he has – me and him both.”

"He's just a freak, really ... To be that good and still work that hard, it goes without saying, is unreal."

Melvin Sanders on Derrick Henry

The post-playoff loss phone call . . .

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Author: John GlennonMulti-media journalist with extensive expertise covering the NFL, NHL, professional soccer and more, including the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators for The Tennessean with articles, videos and podcasts. Strengths include the ability to write quick, concise and thorough analysis, as well as the ability to uncover unique human-interest stories. In working as a reporter, John developed skills that extend beyond the sports journalism world. An efficient and effective communicator, John is confident, calm and productive under deadline pressure and knows the power of the written word. John brings to Broadway Sports a work ethic second to none, an intellectual hunger, and an ability to inform and entertain readers, viewers and listeners. Reach out directly to John at: