Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets motivation from unlikely source: Adam Sandler

C.J. Doon, Baltimore Sun on Jun 6, 2025

Published in Football

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BALTIMORE — Derrick Henry doesn’t have a lot left to prove.

The Ravens running back put up historic numbers in high school, won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and ranks 19th on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list. About the only thing missing from his resume, like his equally accomplished quarterback Lamar Jackson, is a Super Bowl ring.

But there’s something else that will be driving the 31-year-old Henry this season as he seeks to become the first player in league history to rush for 2,000 yards twice in his career: A role in an Adam Sandler movie.

Come again?

In a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Henry revealed that his favorite actor is Sandler, the 58-year-old star of everything from “Saturday Night Live” to beloved comedies such as “Happy Gilmore” to thrilling dramas like “Uncut Gems.” Patrick then issued a challenge: If Henry gets 2,000 yards again this year, he’d use his connections to get him in a Sandler film.

“Cool, say no more. Remember that now,” said Henry, who nearly eclipsed that total with 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season in Baltimore after nearly a decade with the Tennessee Titans. “Say no more. The bet is on. No pressure at all.”

On Friday, Patrick posted a video of him calling up Sandler — or “Sandman,” as he calls him — to make the request and Sandler video chatting with Henry at a recent practice in Owings Mills.

“2,000 yards-plus this year gets you not only in the movie, but we have a nice dinner together and talk about Dan Patrick’s facial hair and how hard it is for him to grow it,” Sandler says on the call. “I love ya, keep it up.”

Patrick then showed a direct message from Henry to thank the longtime sportscaster and radio personality for connecting him with Sandler. The surprise came just a few weeks after Henry signed a two-year extension with the Ravens worth $30 million.

“Dan you’re a real one!” Henry posted in response Friday on X. “@AdamSandler is da [goat emoji: Greatest of All Time] I appreciate the extra motivation!”

Henry does have some acting practice already, having appeared in commercials for State Farm, Old Spice and Pepsi, the latter of which premiered before a huge audience ahead of last season’s NFL season opener between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.

What movie will it be? Patrick joked that it could be “Grown Ups 3” or “Happy Gilmore 3” but doesn’t know for certain. Sandler has acted in 102 films, been a producer in 37, a writer in 23 and an executive producer in 26, according to Letterboxd, but he’s never directed a movie. Perhaps that’s his next project, with Henry playing the starring role.