New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson points to Heaven following one of his touchdowns, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson chose a great day to have a career-best performance. In a Sunday showdown that pitted two teams tied atop their respective conferences, the AFC’s New England Patriots prevailed, 28-23, over the NFC’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks in large part to Henderson.
Playing on the road, 8-2 New England needed every one of Henderson’s 147 rushing yards. The former Ohio State Buckeye — who accumulated his season-high (and career-high) rushing total on just 14 carries — broke free for two, long second-half touchdown jaunts to separate from Tampa Bay (6-3). They were the second and third touchdowns of Henderson’s young NFL career, and his second one proved to be the winning score.
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Henderson’s first TD came from 55 yards out less than a minute into the third quarter to give New England an 11-point advantage.
The Buccaneers scored later in the third quarter to draw to within five. Yet, as if 55 weren’t long enough, Henderson popped free for a 69-yarder with 1:31 remaining to help his team recapture a two-possession lead that they would not relinquish. During the run, he looked toward his coaches to determine whether he should score or go down to maintain possession.
Sunday’s performance marked the first time Henderson has eclipsed the 100-yard plateau in the NFL. But as he often does, the second-round pick from April’s NFL Draft made sure others knew who truly deserves the credit.
“Honestly man, I really just thank God,” Henderson said in his postgame press conference about what may prove to be his breakthrough performance. “It was a tough game. It was a really tough game, and we knew it was gonna be tough going into it. A lot of ups and downs during that game, but specifically during those down moments, I was just trying my best to lean on God to pick me up and give me the strength to keep going.”
Later in the press conference, his mind turned again to his Heavenly Father when considering his first 10 games as a pro.
“It comes with a lot of ups and downs here in the NFL, and I’m learning that,” he said. “But I thank God for the way that He’s allowed it to go, because He’s matured me a lot in my faith. He drew me closer to Him. He’s been drawing me closer to Him during the season and just helping me to keep my eyes on Him.
“… At the end of the day, I want God to have His way. Not my will but His will be done.”
Henderson entered the NFL as a high-profile addition to the Patriots’ roster. Expectations were lofty after being the star running back on a national championship-winning team at Ohio State and then being picked No. 38 overall a few months later. However, in New England, he has found himself getting limited carries while splitting time with Rhamondre Stevenson and others. While only reaching double-digit carries once in his first seven pro games, Henderson has reached double figures each of his past three outings.
The outlook on the field is bright for the running back with blazing speed who just turned 23 a couple weeks ago, but he knows his identity is found in something much deeper.
“I didn’t know who I was outside of football, but when I met Jesus, He showed me who I am,” Henderson said on an August 2024 edition of the Sports Spectrum Podcast. “He showed me who I belong to, and that’s God the Father, and that’s Him. So, I’m just so thankful that He gave me an identity and He gave me a purpose to start living my life for Him, start living my life for the Kingdom and not for this world. Not for football, not for money, not for women. These things will one day perish, but the Lord, the Kingdom, the salvation that He has promised us is forever.”
Despite being a rookie surrounded by NFL vets, Henderson is bold in sharing about his faith. In addition to frequently mentioning Christ in interviews, he also regularly points his followers to the Lord on social media. He writes, “Jesus saved my life” and calls himself a “Follower of Jesus Christ” in his Instagram and X bios.
Henderson has experienced a lot of individual success in the game of football, but this fall has been a season of personal questioning. Even — perhaps especially — in those times, he’s drawn near through prayer to his sure and steady Anchor.
“I just try to lean on the Lord,” Henderson said in Sunday’s press conference. “I pray and I ask Him to give me a peace of mind and peace of heart, because especially in the midst of troubles, your mind can wander all over the place. … I can’t get through this thing on my own strength when times get tough. I always try to lean on Him.”
The Patriots are currently riding a seven-game winning streak, now made even more dangerous with Henderson’s emergence. He and his teammates will get an opportunity to hit the field again soon when they host the New York Jets (2-7) on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
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