Derrick Henry Buys Ownership Stake in MLS Team

Former Alabama star and current Tennessee Titans running back Derick Henry is officially a part owner in one of the newest expansion teams for the MLS, Nashville SC, joining Hollywood superstar Reese Witherspoon and her husband, Jim Toth, as minority owners.

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Henry, with his latest investment, becomes just the fourth player in NFL history and second former Crimson Tide running back to buy stake in an MLS team, joining Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and, most notably to Alabama fans, Mark Ingram.

Henry was quoted in a press release from the club, saying, "“As a kid growing up in Florida, I imagined being a professional sports owner and the opportunity to do that with a Major League Soccer club is truly a dream come true. My investment in Nashville SC is way more than financial, it’s truly an investment in the city of Nashville. The chance to be part of a club like Nashville SC, especially after seeing what they are accomplishing in the community, was an opportunity I did not want to miss.”

Henry was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has since endeared himself to the city of Nashville by not only tearing it up on the field, but by becoming an active member of the community in frequent charity work and philanthropy.

This season, the former Offensive Player of the Year looks to bounce back from an injury that sidelined him for most of 2021. Before his week 8 injury, Henry was on pace for another 2,000 yard season which would have likely secured him his third straight rushing title, having gone back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.

Despite losing Henry at the midpoint of the season, Tennessee managed to stay afloat and even secure the first overall seed in the AFC, just in time for their star running back's return. While Henry was said to be healthy, the 6-foot-3, 247 lb. back was clearly not himself and the Titans suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of the Bengals in the Divisional Round.

The 28-year old workhorse is entering the back-half of his 4-year, $50 million deal and is returning from a significant injury in a Jones Fracture. While he certainly looks to have a lot left in the tank, Henry's investment in Nashville SC could be a very savvy move for his long-term future.