Derrick Henry Leveled a Defender With One of His Patented Brutal Stiff Arms

Derrick Henry sent Marcus Maye flying with a brutal stiff arm.

No running back in the NFL is as difficult to tackle as the Titans’ Derrick Henry. At 6'3", 247 pounds, Henry is the biggest back in the league, and his combination of speed and strength makes him a nightmare for defenses. Bringing him down in the open field is especially tough, thanks in large part to one brutally effective move. 

Henry has earned a reputation for having the NFL’s most vicious stiff arm, and he showed it off again in Sunday’s game against the Saints. In the first quarter, he took a handoff to the right and gained more than 10 yards before he was touched. New Orleans safety Marcus Maye was the first defender who tried to tackle him—and he failed spectacularly. Henry reached out and shoved him aside with a violent stiff arm, sending Maye crashing helplessly to the turf.  

FIRST STIFF-ARM OF THE SEASON FRON @KingHenry_2 👑

📺: Watch #TENvsNO on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lwrZLK1vde

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 10, 2023

Maye might not have made the play, but he slowed Henry’s momentum just enough for Demario Davis to come from behind and make the tackle. 

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The list of players who have been victimized by Henry’s stiff arm is a long one. Most famously, he sent Bills cornerback Josh Norman flying during a game in 2020. Detroit’s Alex Myres and Baltimore’s Earl Thomas have also been on the receiving end of some particularly memorable examples. Welcome to the club, Marcus.