(Video) ‘King’ Derrick Henry delivers brutal stiff-arm on Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick in Ravens Wildcard game
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry stiff armed his way through Steelers CB Minkah Fitzpatrick in the wild card win.
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Derrick Henry stiff arms Minkah Fitzpatrick (Image via IMAGO/X)
The AFC wild-card fixture between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens promised several great matchups. On the top of the list were two former Alabama teammates going head-to-head. All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and Steelers Pro Bowl defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The duel between the star players did not disappoint for one moment, but it’s fair to say that the Ravens rusher managed to get the better of Fitzpatrick on several occasions and one of them undoubtedly entered the NFL highlight reel.
Even though quarterback Lamar Jackson ran rings around the Steelers’ defense, he let Henry do the heavy lifting. And when the 6-foot-2, 245+ pound frame goes to work, he bulldozes his way past anyone in the way even if he was once teammates with him.
Fitzpatrick tried his best to stop the 31-year-old in his run, and as a reward, he received a stiff arm on his facemask only nine minutes into the first quarter. Henry’s one-shove made the former first-round pick lose his footing while he ran past to gain more yards.
The royal stiff arm 👑 pic.twitter.com/OTakYdvxXV
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
Even NBA legend LeBron James was impressed by the impressive display—and he is a Cleveland Browns fan.
👑 HENRY!!! @KingHenry_2 🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 12, 2025
Derrick Henry’s message for Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Ravens proved to be a tough opponent once more. Like last time, in week 16, the Steelers suffered defeat, but this one had higher stakes as it was a knockout game. It finished 14-28, and the Ravens advanced to the divisional round.
Derrick Henry finished with 26 carries for 186 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while Jackson threw 16 completions for 256 total yards and 2 total touchdowns.
The Derrick Henry experience 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/PFAPMAX7md
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 12, 2025
Minkah Fitzpatrick still logged 9 combined tackles and 5 tackles for loss despite Henry’s stiff-arm treatment.
My boy Minkah… You know it’s all love, [but] on the field it’s business.
Derrick Henry said after the game
Derrick Henry on his stiff arm vs. Minkah Fitzpatrick 😅 pic.twitter.com/PhW9vSzL3t
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 12, 2025
Lamar Jackson praised his running back
During the post-game press conference, reporters asked Jackson how it felt to watch Henry zoom past players on the turf. The NFL MVP favorite compared Henry with the popular cartoon movie ‘Cars’ protagonist ‘Lightning McQueen.’
Have you watched the movie Cars… you’re a little too old to watch the movie anyways—for kids. I watched Cars when I was a kid that’s it. You know, when Lightning McQueen just flies past… that’s how Derrick looks, passing all those guys. It looked like a movie, bro; I ain’t gonna lie to you. But I would rather be watching it than be on the other side of the ball, I know that.
Lamar Jackson said
Lamar Jackson describing what it's like to watch Derrick Henry live is the best thing you'll hear all day 😂pic.twitter.com/qQvPFfSFGu
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) January 12, 2025
Derrick Henry had an outstanding first year in Baltimore. He finished the year with 1921 rushing yards from 321 attempts and scored 16 touchdowns. Only Philadelphia Eagles Saquon Barkley had more with 2005 yards.
Related: Mike Evans wary of the tough challenge of facing Marshon Lattimore again: “Got to be at my best”
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Ishan Misra
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