Kevin Lerell Henry (KEY-vin; born October 23, 1968) is a former American football defensive lineman who played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for Mississippi State University.

Kevin Henry
No. 76
Date of birth (1968-10-23) October 23, 1968 (age 56)
Place of birthMound Bayou, Mississippi, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Defensive end
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight282 lb (128 kg)
US collegeMississippi State
NFL draft1993 / round: 4 / Pick 108
Career history
As player
1993–2000Pittsburgh Steelers
Career stats

Henry was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, in 1968 and attended John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in that city.[1] He then enrolled at Mississippi State University. He redshirted during his first year at the school and was ineligible as a sophomore after his American College Test (ACT) score was invalidated. He first saw game action as a junior and led the team with six quarterback sacks. As a senior, he started seven games, but then sustained a tear in the posterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Despite the injury, he finished the 1992 season with 66 tackles and three sacks against Alabama.[2][3]

Henry was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (108th overall pick) of the 1993 NFL draft.[4] He played at the defensive end position for the Steelers from 1993 to 2000, appearing in 116 NFL games, 81 of them as a starter. He tallied 74 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, 14 sacks, and five recovered fumbles in his NFL career.[1] His interception (and 38-yard return) of a Drew Bledsoe pass in December 1997 was referred to as the "immaculate interception."[5]

Henry is cousins with former professional wrestler Mark Henry.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kevin Henry". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Mike Knobler (December 20, 1992). "Against the Tide: Henry has no regrets about playing for State (part 1)". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1D, 6D – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Henry tackles many challenges: MSU defensive end overcomes tough times". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. November 28, 1992. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Ron Cook (December 19, 1997). "Instant fame burdens Henry". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. D1, D6 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Online World of Wrestling