Leonard Henry
Leonard Henry is a running back for the Miami Dolphins. He started his NFL career in 2002 when he was drafted by the Dolphins in the 7th round. He played college football for East Carolina where he had an amazing 7.8 yard per carry average his senior season.
Phinatics.com gives Leonard Henry a special "THANK YOU" for his participation.
phinatics.com: The National League Football Europe (NFLE) site has you listed on “injured reserve.” Is that the same as in the NFL where you can't return this season?
Leonard Henry: Well, I don't know if it is or not. I know that what they are waiting on is a two week span because the NFLE league was saying if you are going to be out two weeks you need to be in Birmingham. We were all thinking that's what it was going to take --- just two weeks to get back, but we all know it's not going to be two weeks exactly; it's going to be a little bit longer than that. So, if I get well, and I'm 100%, then I could easily go back because they are not bringing in another running back.
phinatics.com: The NFLE site lists it as a hip injury. What exactly is the injury?
Leonard Henry: It's a high groin strain. It's in an unusual place because most groin strains are pretty much down --- right below or between your leg -- this one here is a little bit higher. It's in between sort of the abdomen and the groin. It's not really a hip injury.
phinatics.com: So, no surgery was required?
Leonard Henry: No. No surgery or anything like that. The MRI just showed swelling. I'm getting a lot of heat treatment. I'm bicycling. I am able to run straight, but of course lateral movement is not there right now. I'm icing it, heating it, stretching, doing a little bit of exercising --- trying to keep that muscle where it won't get too weak or anything.
phinatics.com: When do you expect to recover from your injury?
Leonard Henry: Well, it's just a matter of time. There really is no need in rushing things. I am first and foremost loyal to the Miami Dolphins. I just basically have to take my time because I don't want any injuries, or this injury right here nagging me, come July 29th when camp starts --- that's just something that you just don't want. And, as a young guy, sometimes that competitiveness will take over your mind, and you'll want to go back over to Germany and play and finish up what you started, but you have to be smart, and you have to be real smart with your body, and just look out for the long haul --- and the long haul is the Miami Dolphins.
phinatics.com: Did you ask to go to NFLE or did the Dolphins ask you?
Leonard Henry: I sort of figured it, but they asked me to go. It would be a slap in their face, as well as mine, if I didn't go. It's a great experience. Young guys should go over there. If you are on that borderline of making a team or helping a team, you need to go over there and get that experience. You get to see the world and get a chance to play football. Even though you know when you step on the field you're risking injury, but hey, that comes with the territory.
phinatics.com: Have you had any contact with anyone from the Dolphins organization since your injury?
Leonard Henry: I talked to Kevin O'Neill last week. Of course he has to find out about your injury and stay updated. I talked to Travis last week because I heard he signed a new deal.
phinatics.com: Is there any question to whether or not you will be in any Dolphins camps this pre-season?
Leonard Henry: I'll definitely be at camp. I will definitely be with the Dolphins. I'm definitely going to be there because that's my number one priority. It was them that made the decision for me to go over there to NFLE, and every time you step on the football field you're risking an injury. We didn't know this would happen, but it happened. I have to make sure that I take care of it now so it won't nag me come June 29th.
phinatics.com: What's the toughest part about being over in Germany for NFLE?
Leonard Henry: Probably would be the food. It's not that it's bad, it's just not really spicy or anything; it's just plain. Of course that is the way they live, so I can't complain because I am visiting over there, but the food is pretty bad.
phinatics.com: What is it like playing for the fans over there in Europe?
Leonard Henry: It is totally different over there. They can bring noisemakers into the games ---whistles --- anything like that --- so it brings a whole new dimension, it adds that 12th man literally on the field. Our fans are like crazy. The Galaxy fans are ridiculous. We went to Cologne, and they had about maybe 1300 people there to see them. I look over in our corner and we have about 2000 sitting over there just yelling and screaming, and we were on the road playing those guys. They love it.
phinatics.com: When you hear whistles, does that not make you want to stop?
Leonard Henry: You just gotta go by reaction. You just have to react. You know when an official is blowing his whistle. They don't know --- a lot of those people don't understand the game of football. When we are on offense, they are supposed to be quiet. They don't know that, and they start blowing their whistles. There have been times when a lot of guys--- you can tell guys on film slow down a little because they think referee is blowing the whistle. You just really have to stay focused and block all that out.
phinatics.com: Has it been difficult to move around back and forth from the practice squad to the roster, and now NFLE? Is that tough on you?
Leonard Henry: You know what, I take it in stride. There are so many guys right now that would love to be on a practice squad on an NFL team. There are so many guys that would love to be on an active roster. There are so many guys that would love just to be in a locker room. So, I ain't complaining about it. I'm happy. I know one day if I keep working and doing what I got to do, eventually my break is going to come. That's one thing I've always given myself credit for --- I don't sit around and complain a lot because I'm thankful for what I have. It could be worse than what it is, but hey, I just keep it in stride and go right along with it.
phinatics.com: Your yards per carry average at East Carolina was an astounding 7.8. Being so successful in college and getting to run the ball so much --- has it been hard to wait for a chance to get a lot of carries in the NFL after two years?
Leonard Henry: At times it's a little tough, but my whole career has been like that, even in high school. I didn't start playing offense in football until I was in the 11th grade. For 2 years I played defense and did my thing on defense. My whole career has been patiently waiting, not complaining --- which I don't do --- just go out and do your job that you're asked to do and just wait your turn. And, when your turn comes, you make the best of it. A lot of young guys get frustrated because they are not playing after great college careers, and they are just frustrated and pouting and complaining about this and that, and when their opportunity comes they aren't ready and prepared because they have been complaining for so long. They're not out there doing enough reps and doing the stuff they need to do in the weight room because they are complaining. As a young guy, you just have to be patient. All these great stars and athletes we've had here in the NFL --- those guys were patient and just waited their turn and opportunity --- and when their time came they took advantage of it.
phinatics.com: You finished East Carolina with a BS degree in Communications. Do you agree or disagree with Maurice Clarett's attempt to join the NFL after his sophomore season?
Leonard Henry: I disagree with that. He should have stayed in school. If anything, go another year. There are a lot of guys that left after their third year and didn't go back and finish their senior year. A lot of guys nowadays are trying to be the first to do this, and the first to do that. Just following the same old footsteps of some of the other guys and just take it as it comes. Who knows what's going to happen because now he is stuck in a position where he might not get in the NFL. Just play your cards, and play your roles, because the good Lord has something in store for you anyway.
phinatics.com: Has Running Backs Coach Bernie Parmalee helped you out?
Leonard Henry: Bernie has helped me out a lot. Bernie and Coach Collier have been two great inspirations on and off the field. Both of them have worked with me on the field and off the field. Those guys mean a lot to me. They were just there in a very critical moment in my life when I really needed someone. Bernie especially... he keeps telling me everyday to keep being patient. He talks to me a lot about just how he was somewhat in the same situation I was in with a team that had good running backs. You just have to be patient and go out and do your thing on Special Teams and eventually your running back opportunity is going to come. Coach Collier is the same way and I really am thankful to have those guys in my personal life and football life as well.
phinatics.com: Please tell us a little bit about last season's running backs night out that Ricky put together .
Leonard Henry: It was great, man. Me, Ricky, Travis Minor, Femi, and Bernie came out with us as well. It was good. We really got a chance to push the football stuff aside and just talk about life. It was good; I loved it. Ricky set it up. We went out and ate at Emeril's Restaurant, and we sat there and ate for about 2 1/2 hours just talking. Then, we left there and went out to a nice little party. We had a great time. We got to a chance to really see everybody beyond the practice field, and beyond the football aspect. Ricky is a cool guy; just a down to earth guy. He is so big-hearted. He wants to help everybody out. He knows he is blessed because he's fortunate to be in a position to help people out, and he loves that.
phinatics.com: Based on what you know about the new offensive line, what do you think about the situation?
Leonard Henry: I think everyone knows that the pressure is on for us to establish the run. Everyone is, of course, going to key on Ricky because they know it's pretty much what we start out with is Ricky. The offensive line... it starts with those guys. They are the keys to get the offense running. I think those guys are looking forward to it.
phinatics.com: If you ran for over 200 yards in an NFL game, what would you do for your offensive line, if anything?
Leonard Henry: Ah, man (laughs). It's tough to say what I would do. I'd probably take them out to eat for a whole week. Everyday, from Monday all the way to Sunday. Just show me wherever you guys want to go. You want to go as a group, we'll go as a group. If you want to go three or four a night here and there, I'll do it.
phinatics.com: What running backs do you try to model yourself after?
Leonard Henry: I just try to take bits and pieces of everybody's game. Of course I'm always watching No. 34 Ricky -- taking bits and pieces of his game because his game is phenomenal. What you see on Sunday is one part, but what you see on Monday through Saturday -- the preparation is what I watch --- I am a preparation guy. I love seeing our guys prepare because Sunday the game is easy --- you are basically out there reacting --- you're not really even playing; you are reacting to what you see. But, the preparation game is very big, and I watch that from Ricky. So, I take pieces of everybody's game.
phinatics.com: What is your biggest strength as a running back?
Leonard Henry: I love to run between the tackles, and running down hill is my main objective. I love draws, counters, and running down hill. I've started to work a lot harder catching the ball out of the backfield --- swing routes, little check downs, things of that nature, because that adds more to my game. But, I think my strength is running between the tackles, running downhill in the open field, explosive.
phinatics.com: Are you good friends with any of the other Dolphins players?
Leonard Henry: Pretty much all the guys. Pretty much the running backs of course; we are all tight. Corey Jenkins is really my main guy. Me and Corey are pretty tight. Our lockers are next to each other, so he and I are real close. Pretty much I get along well with all the guys because they know I come to work everyday just like they come to work, and I'm not complaining, and I'm going out there doing what I gotta do.
phinatics.com: Do you think Corey may get a lot of playing time since Tommy Hendricks left in free agency?
Leonard Henry: I hope so. I talked to him about that 2 ½ weeks ago, but we didn't get to talk long. He said he thinks so, but you know how it is. You get hyped in your preparation now, but when the bullets really start flying --- directions and decisions are made different --- but, right now you would think, yeah, he would jump in there and lineback more than he did last year. He's a playmaker, and he's an athlete. Just a pure athlete. It's very hard to find a pure athlete. This guy used to play baseball, and then he used to played quarterback, and now he's playing linebacker. That's real, that's real.
phinatics.com: The Dolphins have really made some off-season moves to try an improve special teams this year.
Leonard Henry: That was my main reason to go to NFLE. I knew running back was my natural position and that would come in due time, so I wanted to keep working on my skills and doing that too. But, my main objective was to play special teams... go down there and cover kicks, learn the techniques, and learn how to get off a block. That's how, as a young player, you make an impact on a team --- that's how you are going to make a team. A lot of those guys going to mini-camp today --- they think they are going to make it because of their position, but they are going to learn quick and fast that the only way to make the team, and to actually play, is to be on special teams whether they want to or not. Some guys learn it their first mini-camp, and some guys don't learn it until their 2nd or 3rd year in the league. The reason they aren't playing their positions is because they can't contribute out there on special teams yet. So, that was my main objective over there --- go over and work on my special teams play --- running back, that will come in due time.
phinatics.com: You were doing very well as a running back over there with a 5.2 yards per carry average. How would you rate yourself in the special teams category?
Leonard Henry: OK, it went OK. I only really played two games. That last game I got hurt in, I only played the second series, and we hadn't used any special teams at all there. I know as the season would have progressed, I would have been able to get more involved on everything --- on all places of special teams. So, I really can't say much about it, because I only played in two games. I went down on punt team because I was the up back. I went down and made a few plays here and there. But, overall I think I did OK, and that's pretty much all I can say on that one.
phinatics.com: What is your favorite football memory?
Leonard Henry: Wow. My favorite football memory was scoring a touchdown in Tampa in pre-season last year. That was my mom's dream --- seeing me playing in the NFL and seeing me score a touchdown . That was bigger than me getting drafted. My mom passed away a year and six months ago. That was her dream, and to do it was big. It is the biggest thing I will ever accomplish in football. Whether it's money, Super Bowl, or anything like that -- it was that touchdown, man.
phinatics.com: I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your mom and that she was not able to attend that game.
Leonard Henry: She passed away the year before the game. She didn't get to see it with her eyes, but she saw it. I got drafted in April 2002 of course, and my mother passed away in November of 2002.
phinatics.com: Where were you when you got drafted?
Leonard Henry: I was at home back in North Carolina. I was with my mom, my dad, and my girlfriend. To them I went first round --- first round, first pick --- because it was a blessing to get drafted at all. I was like, I can't believe this. I was still shocked.
phinatics.com: Did anyone from the Dolphins call you that day?
Leonard Henry: Rick (Spielman) called me. What had happened was, that Sunday, different teams had called saying they were going take me with this pick or that pick. So, it got to a point where I wasn't going to believe anything until it showed up on the TV screen. Rick called me and said we just turned our card in and we just drafted you. Then, he said, "Are you not excited?" and I said, "I am not going to believe it until it goes across the screen," and he said, "It should be going across the screen in about 30 seconds." When it came on the screen, my mom jumped and yelled, "There it is!", and then I started crying because I was happy for them. I did a little interview and they said, "Leonard are you not excited?" I was like, "Man, at this point in time, I have sat here all day suffering, and all these people have been lying and telling me this and that." So, I just said, "I'm excited for my family".
phinatics.com: So, you had other teams call you?
Leonard Henry: Yeah. That Sunday morning they would call and say something like, "You are 3 rd on our draft board," or "It's between you and this guy."
phinatics.com: What did they call and tell you that for? What did they want to know?
Leonard Henry: Well, your name is on their board -- you're a prospect for them. They are sitting down there, and they are debating. I don't know what they are saying. Your name is up there with another guy. I can't remember what team it was, but in one situation it was between me and another guy. They said, "It's between you and him. We are debating about what we want to do, because we need a running back, and we need this, and we need that blah, blah, blah. We don't know what we are going to do, but we have the next pick, and we'll let you know." Well, when the next pick shows up, and you see the other guy's name on the screen, it's like wow.
phinatics.com: Did you have any expectations for where you would get drafted?
Leonard Henry: I didn't care when I got drafted. I didn't care. I am not going to be picky and get to choose where I get drafted because it's a blessing. I was the 241st pick and their are only 255 picks.
phinatics.com: Do you know what player was part of the trade that gave Miami the pick they chose you with?
Leonard Henry: I have no idea.
phinatics.com: Cade McNown.
Leonard Henry: For real? Wow.
phinatics.com: How do you feel about the Dolphins fans and signing autographs for them?
Leonard Henry: I'll sign a thousand of them. I'll stand around and sign every last one of them. That's something that's small to us humans, but it's big in God's eyes. It's showing your appreciation because these people love you, and all you do is go out there and entertain them for 3 hours. Athletes are no different than anybody else --- we put our shoes and shirts on the the same way fans do, but they look at you differently. I love the fans, and I'll do anything I gotta do because they make me. They can make you and break you. You have to show your appreciation and love. You just never know --- one day that fan you turn down --- you might need that fan somewhere one day. You might need him. You never know. You never know in life.
phinatics.com: Do you know what you'd like to do after your football career is over?
Leonard Henry: I am a very spiritual person, and whatever the good Lord calls me to do, I am going to do. I really want to help others, man. Whether it's teaching, going around doing public speaking, or doing a little TV show, or doing whatever I can do to help others out. I have been blessed and fortunate enough to meet a lot of people, go to a lot of places, and do a lot of things. Some athlete out there, or just some person might need a motivational speech or might need for me to hear one word to maybe get them over that hump. So, whatever I can do to help people out is what I am about.
phinatics.com: Do you find it difficult to be a Christian in the NFL?
Leonard Henry: Not even the NFL --- the world and society. It feels like people hate you for doing something right. Christians see the world through Jesus's eyes, as opposed to everyone else seeing it through their eyes. They know eventually, one day, they are going to get saved, and they are going to change their life around. But, yet, they feel like it's not the right time or anything like that. I find it not only in the NFL, but overall. I look at the world different now. I look back on my life totally different now because a lot of things happened to me where I feel like God was trying to tell me something then. As a young guy, you know, thinking you have everything --- you believe in God, and you understand God, but you don't truly have God in your heart. It's sort of hard to understand that at a young age. I never thought I would become a Christian --- a saved man like I am --- at the age of 26. I thought it would be when I'm 36, or 46, or later on, because that was just the way I was brought up --- you didn't get saved until you were older. But, I am so happy and thankful now that I did it at a young age because now I think I'll be able to teach and preach to younger guys. If they see it in me, they are like, "Wow, if he can do it in the position he is in, I can do it."
phinatics.com: Did you grow up going to church? Who influenced you to become a Christian at age 26?
Leonard Henry: Yes. It wasn't really anyone. God turned me around because He took a lot of things away from me for me to realize the need. That's what He does sometimes. He strips you of everything you have so that you must surrender to Him and put Him in your life. You think you have God in your life sometimes, but you really don't. He just took everything away from me, man, in life. It just hit me. The light came on like, "Wow, I am by myself. I have no one to turn to. Man can't help me with these problems and issues that I am going through. I need help, and God is the only one." He sometimes does that. He has a plan for everybody. He lets everybody see things differently. For me --- He just took a lot of things I thought I loved and cared about --- He took them away from me to realize that.
phinatics.com: How do you feel about players giving God credit when they make good plays i.e. touchdowns?
Leonard Henry: It's great. Not only on the football field... you should give God credit every morning you wake up.
phinatics.com: Some people use the following type scenario to argue against giving the type of credit mentioned above. Let's say you are one on one with a defensive player that also is a Christian and you get around him and score a touchdown. Why would God favor you over the defensive player in that situation to where you get to score the touchdown instead of the opponent making the tackle? Are you giving more credit for the ability? How would you address that question?
Leonard Henry: I would give God credit more for the ability because the ability allows you to go and score that touchdown. God has blessed us with individual talent. And, He blessed me the same way He blessed this young man that is in front of me with that talent. At this particular time, God had something in store for me to go and score a touchdown and used my ability right now to score. But, it could be later on in the year, later on in the game, or later on in the season that God takes this young man and uses his ability and his talent in another way where he is successful. Because, if you are being obedient to God, and you are living in God's word, and you are doing everything God wants you to do, He is going to reward you. He is going to reward you --- it just might not be at that time when He rewards you because it's against His will. Everything is amongst His will when he wants it done, and when it's time. I use this a lot --- there is a difference between a want and need. We want this, or we want that. God knows what you need, and He gives it to you when you least expect it.
phinatics.com: Some people allege that Kurt Warner was very aggressive about pushing his Christian beliefs on teammates in the locker room. Assuming that is true, what is your stance on something like that?
Leonard Henry: It speaks in the Bible that there are times where you hold your tongue and God wants you to hold it. In Matthew it says there should be a light on you that shines so that every man will see who you are and that you glorify God. I think that at times you shouldn't push yourself and overdo it because some people take it differently. You have to realize that everybody doesn't see through the same eyes we see through. If you say something to them about trying God and they don't get it and understand, hey, talk to God and say, "Hey I've done my part" ... step back out of the way. Sometimes we get caught up when we are trying to make a change in that person and we can't. God has to make the change. And, we get so caught up in telling a person this and that when you should tell them once. If they don't understand it, or they don't want to believe it, and they don't want to do it, then step back and just let God do His work because God is going to do His work regardless. I'm the same way now that I'm saved and a lot of things have changed in my life. I'm living right, and I am at peace with myself. I get caught into the same thing of trying to throw my religion because I know what He's done for me. I'm so excited and so anxious. I want people to change and get their life together just like I got mine together, but I also have to realize that these people are just like I was was before...hardheaded...didn't want to listen. Eventually, they will listen, but step back and let God do it, not you.
phinatics.com: So now you will be one of the players at the end of the game that will join the group prayer in the middle of the field?
Leonard Henry: Oh yes. In fact, Germany was a blessing for me because it was my spiritual journey. I finally got a chance to get away from everybody back at home. I got a chance to get away and understand myself because I just got saved in February. It was great for me to go away and to learn God, and to understand God by myself over there in Germany, and that's why I call it my spiritual journey. I started to need prayer at the end of the game, and then I started to lead prayer at the end of the game. Just little things like that right there are small to us, but big in God's eyes. So, it was great for me.
