Who Are Derrick Henry’s Parents? Meet Stacy Veal and Derrick Henry Sr.

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was born to Stacy Veal and Derrick Henry Sr. in Yulee, Florida, where he was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother. The NFL star’s family background has attracted attention throughout his football career, particularly because of the important role his grandmother, Gladys Henry, played during his childhood.

Henry, who turned 32 in January 2026, has become one of the most accomplished running backs of his generation. His journey from Yulee High School to the University of Alabama and eventually the NFL began in a family that faced financial and personal difficulties during his early years.

His mother worked to support him, while his father was largely absent during his childhood because of repeated legal problems and periods of incarceration. Henry has previously discussed how those circumstances influenced his upbringing and his determination to build a successful football career.

Who Are Derrick Henry’s Parents?

Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. was born on January 4, 1994, in Yulee, Florida, to Stacy Veal and Derrick Henry Sr.

His parents were teenagers when he was born.

Stacy was approximately 15 years old, while Derrick Sr. was 16.

The young couple faced significant challenges, and Henry spent much of his childhood living with his grandmother, Gladys Henry.

His mother remained involved in raising him and worked to provide financial support.

His father, meanwhile, experienced repeated legal difficulties that prevented him from maintaining a consistent presence in his son’s life.

Henry’s family circumstances became widely known during his college football career, especially after he emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender at Alabama.

Derrick Henry’s Mother Stacy Veal

Stacy Veal played an important role in Henry’s childhood and early athletic development.

She became a mother while still a teenager and faced the responsibility of supporting her son at a young age.

Stacy worked as a hemodialysis technician, helping patients receiving treatment for kidney-related medical conditions.

Her employment required long hours, and Henry often stayed with his grandmother while his mother worked.

Despite the family’s financial difficulties, Stacy encouraged her son’s interest in football.

She attended his games whenever possible and remained involved as he progressed through school.

Henry has acknowledged the sacrifices his mother made while raising him.

Her support continued when he left Florida to attend the University of Alabama.

During his college career, Stacy remained an important figure in his life as he developed into one of the country’s leading running backs.

Derrick Henry’s Father Derrick Henry Sr.

Derrick Henry Sr., also known as “Big D,” had a more complicated relationship with his son during his early years.

He was 16 when Derrick Jr. was born.

His involvement in criminal activity led to several arrests and periods of incarceration.

Those circumstances meant he was frequently absent while Henry was growing up.

The difficulties surrounding his father’s legal history became part of public coverage of Henry’s childhood when the running back gained national recognition.

Henry has discussed the challenges of growing up without a consistently present father.

However, he has also spoken about the importance of family and the influence of his upbringing on his development.

His father’s past has remained a subject of biographical reporting, although Henry’s professional career has largely been defined by his own athletic achievements.

Grandmother Gladys Henry Raised Derrick Henry

Gladys Henry was one of the most influential people in Derrick Henry’s childhood.

Because his parents were teenagers when he was born, the family lived with Gladys in Yulee.

She helped raise Henry alongside her own children and became a central figure in his daily life.

Gladys gave her grandson the nickname “Shocka” because his birth had surprised the family.

Henry developed a particularly close relationship with her and continued acknowledging her influence as his football career progressed.

She encouraged him to remain focused on education, respect others and maintain his religious faith.

Henry has credited her with helping establish the values that guided him through school and college.

Her influence remained significant even after he became a nationally recognized football player.

Derrick Henry’s Parents Attended His Heisman Trophy Ceremony

Henry’s family received national attention in December 2015 when he won the Heisman Trophy.

The Alabama running back became the second player in school history to receive the award, following Mark Ingram in 2009.

His parents, Stacy Veal and Derrick Henry Sr., attended the ceremony in New York.

Gladys was unable to travel because she was receiving medical treatment.

During his acceptance speech, Henry acknowledged his grandmother and thanked her for raising him.

He said:

“I feel you in spirit and I love you so much. You made me who I am today.”

The ceremony marked an important achievement for Henry and his family after years of supporting his football ambitions.

Henry won the award after rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns during the 2015 college football season.

He also helped Alabama win the national championship that season.

Derrick Henry Honored His Grandmother After Her Death

Gladys Henry died on September 13, 2016.

Her death came during Henry’s rookie NFL season with the Tennessee Titans.

The running back continued honoring her memory throughout his professional career.

He has a tattoo dedicated to his grandmother and has spoken about the influence she had on his life.

In 2018, Henry returned to the University of Alabama to complete his bachelor’s degree in communications.

He had previously promised Gladys that he would finish his education.

Before graduating, Henry wrote a letter addressed to his grandmother.

In the letter, he reflected on his efforts to follow the values she taught him and complete his college education.

His graduation fulfilled a commitment he had made before entering the NFL.

Derrick Henry Wore His Grandmother’s Favorite Color After Joining Baltimore

Henry paid another tribute to Gladys when he joined the Baltimore Ravens in March 2024.

During his introductory press conference, he wore a purple suit that had previously been associated with his grandmother’s funeral.

He explained that purple was one of her favorite colors.

The decision also connected with Baltimore’s team colors.

Henry said he wanted to honor his grandmother while beginning the next stage of his professional career.

The running back also recalled seeing a butterfly shortly before free agency, an experience he associated with his grandmother because she had loved butterflies.

The moment occurred while he was spending time outside with his daughter.

Henry interpreted the experience as a reminder of Gladys during an important career decision.

Derrick Henry’s Football Career Began in Yulee

Henry attended Yulee High School in Florida, where he became one of the most productive running backs in American high school football history.

He finished his high school career with 12,124 rushing yards, breaking the previous national record held by Ken Hall.

His performances attracted scholarship offers from major college football programs.

Henry eventually committed to the University of Alabama, where he played under head coach Nick Saban.

He became the Crimson Tide’s leading running back and won the Heisman Trophy in 2015.

The Tennessee Titans selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 45th overall pick.

He spent eight seasons with Tennessee and became one of the league’s most productive running backs.

In 2020, Henry rushed for 2,027 yards, becoming one of the few players in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season.

He later joined the Baltimore Ravens in March 2024.

His career has included multiple Pro Bowl selections, rushing titles and major individual awards.

Derrick Henry Has Three Daughters With Adrianna Rivas

Henry has also built a family of his own.

He has been in a relationship with Adrianna Rivas since 2016.

The couple have three daughters.

Their eldest daughter, Valentina Allure Henry, was born in May 2020.

Their second daughter, Celine Amor Henry, arrived in April 2024.

The couple welcomed their third daughter before February 2026, when Henry publicly discussed becoming a father of three.

Henry has spoken about the importance of fatherhood and spending time with his children outside football.

He has also discussed the influence of former NBA star Kobe Bryant, particularly Bryant’s public identification as a father devoted to his daughters.

His family life has become an increasingly visible part of his public profile during his years with Baltimore.

Latest Update on Derrick Henry’s Family

As of October 12, 2026, Derrick Henry remains a running back for the Baltimore Ravens.

His mother, Stacy Veal, and father, Derrick Henry Sr., have been part of his publicly documented family history since his rise at Alabama.

His grandmother, Gladys Henry, remains a significant figure in accounts of his upbringing, and Henry has continued honoring her memory through personal tributes.

Henry’s immediate family now includes his longtime partner, Adrianna Rivas, and their three daughters.

No new public statement from his parents concerning his current NFL season has been independently confirmed.