William Henderson
Encyclopedia
William Terrelle Henderson (born February 19, 1971) is a former American Football
fullback. He had spent all of his playing career with the Green Bay Packers
up until his release in 2007. He was selected by the organization out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
with a third round choice (the 66th pick overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft
.
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.).
Henderson blew out a knee early in his career at North Carolina, but recovered.
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. He was selected to 2004 Pro Bowl
.
Henderson 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).
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.
On March 7, 2007, the Packers released Henderson amidst rumors that the Packers were trying to sign star 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."
. Henderson was selected as Green Bay's 2001 'Unsung Hero,' in recognition of his efforts both on the field and in the community.
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...
fullback. He had spent all of his playing career with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
up until his release in 2007. He was selected by the organization out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
with a third round choice (the 66th pick overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
.
High school and college career
Henderson attended Thomas Dale High SchoolThomas Dale High School
Thomas Dale High School is a public school located in Chester, an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States.It was named for Sir Thomas Dale, a 17th century leader in the Virginia Colony...
in Chester, Virginia
Chester, Virginia
Chester is a census-designated place in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. The population was 20,987 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. 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
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, 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.).
Henderson blew out a knee early in his career at North Carolina, but recovered.
NFL
Henderson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1995, and has played every season in his career with the Packers. 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. He was selected to 2004 Pro Bowl
2004 Pro Bowl
The 2004 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 8, 2004 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was NFC 55, AFC 52, the most points scored in a Pro Bowl game. Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams was the game's MVP.-Game summary:...
.
Henderson 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).
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.
On March 7, 2007, the Packers released Henderson amidst rumors that the Packers were trying to sign star fullback Justin Griffith
Justin Griffith
Justin Montrel Griffith is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
. 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."
Broadcasting
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.Personal
He is currently married to Brigitta Henderson, and has two children, William II and Jayden. Henderson splits residence between Green Bay and Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Henderson was selected as Green Bay's 2001 'Unsung Hero,' in recognition of his efforts both on the field and in the community.