Thomas Henderson (American football) facts for kids
Henderson signs autographs in Houston in January 2014.
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| No. 56, 50, 53 | |||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | March 1, 1953 Austin, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 221 lb (100 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Douglass (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) | ||||||
| College: | Langston | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1975 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Thomas Henderson (born March 1, 1953), nicknamed "Hollywood", is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Oilers, and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Langston University.
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Early life
Henderson was raised by his mother on the east side of Austin, Texas and played football for the L. C. Anderson High School "B" team until his sophomore year (1969), when he moved to Oklahoma City to live with his grandmother and find a more stable environment.
Although as a senior he earned All-City honors playing defensive end at Douglass High School, he was not recruited by colleges because his career had been shortened, after having to sit out his junior year after transferring. After graduation Henderson joined the Air Force, but quit before being sworn in.
College career
Henderson was a walk-on for the football team at the NAIA Langston University. His personality earned him the nickname "Wild Man" and helped him become a two-time small-college All-American defensive end.
As a senior, he contributed to the team's 11–1 record and a playoff appearance. He was named Southwest district Defensive Player of the Year. He started 45 straight games in his college career. He also practiced track and field, competing in the 100-yard dash (9.5 seconds) and the triple jump (49 feet).
In 2002, he was inducted into the Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Henderson was selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 1975 NFL draft, as part of the Dallas Cowboys Dirty Dozen draft. As a rookie, he focused on special teams. He returned a reverse handoff for a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (fourth in franchise history) during the second game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He blocked a punt in the fourteenth game against the New York Jets.
In 1976, he competed with D.D. Lewis for the starting strongside linebacker position. He remained as a backup and core special teams player. He blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety in the twelfth game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 1977, he was named the starting strongside linebacker over Randy White, who was moved to defensive tackle. He posted 53 tackles, 3 interceptions, one sack (unofficial) and 2 fumble recoveries. He returned an interception for a 79-yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also claimed that he introduced the crossbar slam dunk celebration into the NFL at the end of the play. He led the team with 7 tackles in Super Bowl XII. Henderson gave himself the nickname "Hollywood" for his flamboyant play and high-visibility lifestyle.
In 1978, he couldn't start in 3 games because of an ankle injury. He returned an interception for a 68-yard touchdown (including a crossbar slam dunk) in the 28–0 NFC championship win against the Los Angeles Rams. Before Super Bowl XIII he started a war of words against the Pittsburgh Steelers, that ended up with him sharing a Newsweek magazine cover with quarterback Terry Bradshaw. He also pinned Bradshaw's arms, allowing linebacker Mike Hegman to steal the ball and run 37 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XIII. He was selected to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season.
Even though he had great potential as a player, Henderson's destructive lifestyle began to catch up with him.
San Francisco 49ers
On May 15, 1980, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fourth round draft choice (#91, Scott Pelluer). Henderson was soon fired from the team.
Houston Oilers
On September 24, 1980, he signed as a free agent with the Houston Oilers. He appeared in only six games because of a hamstring injury and played in the Oilers' playoff loss to the Oakland Raiders. He was not re-signed after the season.
Miami Dolphins
On June 10, Henderson signed with the Miami Dolphins, but suffered what proved to be a career-ending neck injury in the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. On August 31, he was placed on the injured reserve list. He was not re-signed after the season.
Personal life
Lawrence Taylor, said that he was inspired to wear 56 because it was Henderson's number.
In the early 1990's, Henderson built a youth football stadium in his hometown of Austin, Texas. This was at his alma mater Anderson high school. Former and current Dallas Cowboys players and various members of the community also pitched in money for construction. To build a track for the school Henderson also raised money by fasting on the field he helped build. For seven days he slept in a tent near one of the goalposts and only consumed a mixture of lemon juice, molasses, cayenne pepper and water.
