E. J. Henderson
Encyclopedia
Eric N. "E.J." Henderson (born August 3, 1980) is an American football
linebacker
for the Minnesota Vikings
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Maryland
.
In April 2008, the Vikings signed Henderson's younger brother, Erin
, as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland.
Henderson was placed on season-ending injured reserve
after he dislocated multiple toes on October 6, 2008 in a game against the Tennessee Titans
.
In Week 13 of the 2009 season, Henderson suffered a broken left femur during a game against the Arizona Cardinals
. The injury occurred when his leg twisted violently as he was trying to tackle Tim Hightower
and hit Jamarca Sanford
's helmet. He was removed from the field on a motorized cart, accompanied by his younger brother and teammate Erin. Henderson stayed overnight in Phoenix for surgery, and missed the rest of the season. He made a full recovery in time for 2010 training camp. After what was described as a "remarkable recovery", Henderson was selected for the 2011 Pro Bowl
.
. They both played college football
at Maryland
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
College career
E.J. Henderson holds three NCAA records: career total tackles per game (12.5), season solo tackles with 135 in 2002, and career solo tackles per game (8.8).Awards and honors
- 2001- First-Team All-American
- 2001- First-Team All-ACC
- 2001- ACC Player of the Year
- 2001- ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2002- First-Team All-American
- 2002- First-Team All-ACC
- 2002- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP
- 2002- ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2002- Chuck Bednarik Award
- 2002- Butkus Award
Minnesota Vikings
On December 15, 2006, Henderson agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Vikings. The deal was reportedly worth over $25 million with $10 million guaranteed.In April 2008, the Vikings signed Henderson's younger brother, Erin
Erin Henderson
Erin Henderson is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
, as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland.
Henderson was placed on season-ending injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
after he dislocated multiple toes on October 6, 2008 in a game against the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
In Week 13 of the 2009 season, Henderson suffered a broken left femur during a game against the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The injury occurred when his leg twisted violently as he was trying to tackle Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
and hit Jamarca Sanford
Jamarca Sanford
Jamarca Deshaun Sanford is an American football player for the Minnesota Vikings. He was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the 231st pick...
's helmet. He was removed from the field on a motorized cart, accompanied by his younger brother and teammate Erin. Henderson stayed overnight in Phoenix for surgery, and missed the rest of the season. He made a full recovery in time for 2010 training camp. After what was described as a "remarkable recovery", Henderson was selected for the 2011 Pro Bowl
2011 Pro Bowl
The 2011 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2010 season. It took place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii...
.
Career statistics
Source: NFL.com| Defense | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | AST | PD | SACK | FF | INT | ||
| 2003 | Min | 16 | 32 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2004 | Min | 14 | 93 | 65 | 28 | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2005 | Min | 15 | 75 | 53 | 22 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | Min | 16 | 110 | 77 | 33 | 2 | 3.0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2007 | Min | 16 | 118 | 94 | 24 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | Min | 4 | 27 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | Min | 12 | 83 | 63 | 20 | 1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | Min | 16 | 105 | 71 | 34 | 4 | 1.0 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Total | 109 | 642 | 472 | 170 | 15 | 13.5 | 9 | 5 | |||
Personal life
He is the older brother of fellow Vikings linebacker Erin HendersonErin Henderson
Erin Henderson is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
. They both played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.