Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz sits down with Ravens running back Derrick Henry to discuss leaving the Tennessee Titans after eight seasons and working with MVP Lamar Jackson. Derrick joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of Pepsi.

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Video transcript

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz, along with the king Derek Henry, who is with us on behalf of Pepsi.

You’re a member of the Baltimore Ravens now, but I know Nashville very well and Nashville has a special bond with you.

I don’t think the national media realizes how much that city loves you for who you are.

How difficult was the decision to quit the Titans?

Yeah, I mean, it’s always difficult.

Um, you know, when you work somewhere for eight years, uh, and you, uh, you have so much love for that city, the organization, uh, the entire Nashville community.

You know, I’ve grown tremendously as a person and as a player in those eight years.

So I was very grateful for everything that happened over the years and for everyone involved, my coaches, teammates, everyone within the organization and the fans who supported me.

I guess you could say you’ve never played with a quarterback like Lamar, right?

What is that moment in practice that you are looking at?

And then you say: man, that’s the guy who’s on this team with me.

Yeah, it’s cool, man.

Just to, you know, be on this side of the ball and, you know, play with him.

We all know what type of player he is.

And uh, this is about his day-to-day approach to his work.

He comes to work and, uh, you know, he works his ass off and uh, you understand why he’s so great and uh, I’m excited to be his teammate and go out there on Sunday and get some WS. There’s a bunch of idiots like me on the mic that are constantly saying, well, he’s going to hit a wall.

You can’t take that many hits and knocks in your career without eventually hitting a wall.

Do you hear that sound that will never begin, whether it’s mine or the other’s?

I mean, that’s just what happens.

I mean, that, that’s part of it.

I mean, it’s going to be talk, it’s going to be noise.

The only thing I’m worried about is, well, I can control, control what you can control, and that is that I go out there and play consistently at a high level every week.

How do you get used to the Ravens culture, where these are teams they hate?

Yeah, I’m sure they’ll, uh, uh, get me settled in pretty good once the season starts.

Uh, I know the Pittsburgh Steelers are really popular here and they say you’re not a Raven until you beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s still a long way to go, but when we get there, we’ll cross the bridge.

But yeah, that rivalry is definitely there here in Baltimore with the Steelers.

Tell us what you’re doing with Pepsi.

Yes, Pepsi has a campaign.

Make your match day unforgettable.

Uh, with the gladiator theme.

Uh, everybody’s seen the Gladiator movie, uh, the Gladiator Two that’s coming out.

I think it’s an exciting time for Pepsi and I was really pleased to be part of the campaign to kick off the 2024 season.

I think everyone will love the new commercial in the campaign to kick off the season.

Uh yeah I get it I got to shoot the commercial with Josh Allen when you were talking to Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelsey and Maggie Stallion with the song We Will Rock You uh a remake of hers.

And yes, I got to fly to Canada to do a commercial.

This is my first time going to Canada.

Thank you, Pepsi.

I think it’s a great campaign.

I think everyone will love it.

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