“All this just to lose”: Derrick Henry’s old workout video resurfaces as fans remain unimpressed .
In the world of professional sports, athletes are often judged not only for their on-field performances but also for their work ethic, dedication, and training regimens. Social media and the internet have allowed fans and critics alike to get a closer look at their favorite players’ training routines, offering insights into how these athletes prepare for the physical and mental challenges they face each season. However, sometimes the content that surfaces is not met with the praise it was intended to garner. Recently, an old workout video of Tennessee Titans’ star running back Derrick Henry resurfaced, sparking reactions from fans, but not the kind Henry or his trainers might have hoped for. Rather than admiration, the video received mixed reactions, with many fans unimpressed or even critical of what they perceived as a “misstep” in training philosophy.
For those unfamiliar with Derrick Henry’s career, his reputation precedes him. Known as one of the most dominant running backs in recent NFL history, Henry has cemented his place in football lore through his ferocious style of running, relentless physicality, and unmatched ability to break tackles. He was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, breaking records and running for over 2,000 yards that season. Henry’s physicality and size have been major talking points of his career, as he combines the power of a linebacker with the agility of a much smaller running back. But with his old workout video resurfacing, fans began to question whether Henry’s training methods were as effective as they appeared.
The Resurfacing of the Video
The workout video in question shows Derrick Henry performing various drills, lifting heavy weights, and engaging in other high-intensity exercises. In the clip, Henry is seen pushing his limits, seemingly trying to demonstrate his strength, athleticism, and mental toughness. The video was likely intended to showcase Henry’s commitment to his craft and highlight his rigorous training program. However, what some viewers took issue with was not the intensity of the workout itself but the manner in which the exercises were conducted.
Several fans pointed out that the video demonstrated an overemphasis on sheer brute strength, while the functional application of those exercises to Henry’s performance on the field was somewhat unclear. The workout appeared to be more about showing off strength than enhancing Henry’s agility or football-specific skills. Moreover, some fans suggested that the type of training shown in the video might not have been as beneficial as Henry’s camp believed. Instead of boosting his explosiveness or improving his balance and change of direction—skills that are crucial for a running back—critics questioned whether the workout was simply a way to showcase strength for social media.
Many fans responded with humor, memes, and sarcastic remarks. One commenter quipped, “All this just to lose in the playoffs,” referencing the Titans’ inability to capitalize on Henry’s dominant performances in crucial playoff games. While the comment may have been harsh, it encapsulated a broader sentiment among a portion of the fanbase: that despite Henry’s impressive physical conditioning, the Titans’ inability to go deep into the postseason made the workout video feel somewhat inconsequential.
The Training Method Behind the Criticism
Derrick Henry’s workout video was not a typical football training montage. It wasn’t filled with the traditional agility drills, cutting drills, or footwork exercises that are commonly seen in videos showcasing NFL running backs. Instead, Henry’s training appeared to focus heavily on lifting heavy weights, using resistance bands, and performing exercises designed to maximize brute strength and power. While strength is undeniably important for a running back—especially a player like Henry, who uses his size and power to break tackles—many critics questioned whether the focus on strength was the best way for him to maintain his dominance on the field.
Some fans pointed out that Henry’s explosive power, which allows him to bulldoze defenders, could be enhanced by more football-specific training. A good running back must not only be strong but also agile, able to make sharp cuts, evade tacklers, and accelerate in and out of breaks. Critics argued that Henry’s training regimen, as depicted in the video, didn’t seem to prioritize these aspects of his game, and some even suggested that it might contribute to his tendency to break down physically over time. The Titans’ star running back has had multiple injuries in recent seasons, including a significant foot injury in 2021 that caused him to miss a large portion of the season. Some fans speculated that an overemphasis on strength without balancing it with other critical components of a running back’s skill set might be partially responsible for these injuries.
The backlash was not just about Henry’s workout itself but also about the broader context of the training culture in professional sports. In the modern era, athletes are expected to perform at the highest levels, and their off-field training routines are scrutinized just as much as their in-game performances. There is a growing recognition in sports science that traditional strength training, while important, is not always the key to athletic longevity. More holistic approaches that incorporate agility, flexibility, and movement efficiency are now considered critical for maintaining peak performance.
The Titans’ Playoff Struggles: A Bigger Picture
While the video was undoubtedly the focal point of the social media conversation, it also highlighted a broader issue that has been dogging Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans for the past few seasons: their inability to make a deep playoff run despite having one of the most dominant players in the league on their roster.
Henry’s individual accolades, including multiple NFL rushing titles and his record-breaking 2020 season, are undeniable. However, when it comes to the postseason, Henry’s efforts have not been enough to carry the Titans to a Super Bowl. In fact, the Titans have been eliminated from the playoffs in disappointing fashion during Henry’s prime, with some fans speculating that the team’s reliance on Henry’s physicality and singular dominance may have hurt them in the long run.
The Titans’ failure to capitalize on Henry’s immense talent has led many to believe that the team is not built around him in the most efficient way. Some critics argue that Henry’s power running style, while incredibly effective in the regular season, becomes less effective in high-pressure playoff games, where defenses are better prepared and adjustments are quicker. The fact that the Titans’ offense seems to rely so heavily on Henry’s ability to generate big plays could also be a contributing factor to their postseason struggles. Teams can load up the box and force the Titans to be one-dimensional, and when that happens, Henry’s rare talent can be stifled.
As a result, the workout video—intended to highlight Henry’s work ethic and physical prowess—became a symbol of a larger issue facing the Titans: while Henry remains one of the best in the game, the team has been unable to build a roster or system that maximizes his talents in key moments. This stark contrast between Henry’s individual success and the Titans’ collective struggles in the postseason is likely why fans made the connection between the workout video and the team’s playoff failures, saying “All this just to lose.”
Social Media and the Pressure to Perform
The reaction to Derrick Henry’s workout video also sheds light on the way social media has changed the way athletes are perceived. In the past, athletes could train in relative privacy, and their performances were judged primarily by what they did on the field. Today, however, fans and critics have near-instant access to everything an athlete does off the field, including training routines, social media posts, and personal decisions. This has put a tremendous amount of pressure on athletes to maintain a certain image, even when their on-field performances may not align with the expectations set by fans and analysts.
For someone like Derrick Henry, who has been at the center of so much attention and scrutiny, the risk of backlash is especially high. While the workout video was likely meant to inspire and show his commitment to excellence, it quickly became a point of contention. Fans’ frustrations with the team’s lack of postseason success were projected onto the video, making it seem like Henry’s training routine was somehow irrelevant if it didn’t result in team success. This mirrors the pressures placed on athletes in the modern age, where the expectation for perfection often extends beyond just in-game performance.
Despite the social media reaction and the resurfacing of the workout video, it’s important to step back and recognize Derrick Henry’s legacy. He remains one of the most physically dominant players in the history of the NFL. His rare combination of size, speed, and strength makes him an outlier in the running back position, and there are few players who have had as much sustained success over multiple seasons.
However, his legacy is still being shaped by how the Titans perform as a team. Henry’s success has been defined by his ability to carry the offense, but until the team can build a more complete system around him, his individual accomplishments may always feel somewhat incomplete. The pressure to succeed on the biggest stage—the postseason—will continue to follow him, no matter how many records he breaks in the regular season.
Ultimately, Derrick Henry’s training regimen, workout videos, and other off-field moments should be seen as part of the broader narrative of a player who is striving for greatness. While the workout video may have generated some ridicule, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Henry remains one of the most unique and impactful players in the NFL today. Whether or not he can finally push the Titans over the postseason hump remains to be seen, but there’s no question that Henry’s work ethic and determination are part of what makes him so special, even if some fans continue to question the methods.
