Derrick Henry Talks Football and Diet Leading up to Super Bowl LX

Henry's Partnership for the Big Game

Henry: "Yeah, thanks for having me, man. Yeah, excited for the partnership, to partner with OIKOS, to be in their big ad. On the big spots in the big game, and I just thought the partnership was perfect, especially when my team presented it to me, to be able to have the opportunity. OIKOS products are packed with high protein, which I need, to fuel me on and off the field, to have strength and endurance, and I think their product is great, and just trying to encourage the fans with the big ad to hone into that."

"They have products for high protein that you need in your body to fuel you. And they have another great product that I'm excited to use, and they're excited for as well, which I think is great, the OIKOS Triple Zero, which is packed with high-protein Greek yogurt, which I think you might like. You probably should try it out. Just a great product, man, and I just thought it was great for them to reach out, you know, to me to be in a big afternoon, which I really enjoyed and had fun doing it. Also, having a great product, like Triple Zero, and it has high protein, which I need, and which I'm strict on, putting the right things in my body, which I think this is great."

I then had to ask him about college days, flipping from Georgia to Alabama, and had he stayed a member of the Bulldogs, how he would have played with Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, who all went on to be first or second-round picks in the NFL draft.

Henry: "Yeah, we used to always talk about that. If I had stayed committed to Georgia, the backfield it would have been. I don't know how that would have worked, but it definitely would have been crazy. And we actually had another crazy backfield at Bama as well, so, heck yeah."

The Flip from Georgia to Alabama

Henry: "Yeah, whenever I had committed to Georgia, I think we went on a night that had, like, a high school showcase, a lot of guys from my hometown, from my area was there, and, you know, we had a great time, and we were all close, and, you know, the thought of playing together at the University of Georgia just sounded great. And, yeah, and I wanted to commit, and I love the coaches, love the culture, and I felt like it would be a great fit for me. But as I left, and, you know, still getting recruited, I didn't shut down my recruitment.

"Going through the season, I think my junior year, my senior year, still getting recruited, watching both programs. I don't know, I just felt like I needed to reevaluate, felt like, you know, I might be a better fit for Alabama, because they were dominating, winning championships. I love the way Coach Saban coaches, and, you know, how their team played, and I felt like that's something that I might want to be a part of. And then when it came down to it, Alabama was definitely the ultimate choice. Running back coach Burton Burns came and visited with me, and we talked for forever, so, yeah, I was … I was sold after that.

Over 30,000 Rushing Yards from High School to NFL, Does He Have a Favorite?

Henry: "Not really. Like, I always tell people, I think when I'm done playing, you know, I can sit back and think about those things and enjoy those things, but right now, I'm just focused on getting better, because I still want to play next year. It might be next year I might have a favorite run, or the year after that, or the year after that. I still got some time to do a lot of things that I want to do on the football field, to sit back when it's all said and done, to reflect on."

Secret to Staying so Durable

Henry: "Yeah, I think just taking care of my body, and doing the right things to, make sure I feel good week in and week out. Like, you know, it's a tough league, gotta have your body prepared. It's a game of injuries.

"My position, we get hit all the time, so, you know, dieting and doing the recovery stuff. That makes me feel my best to compete, each and every day when I step out on that football field. And, yeah, man, it's been working, so I'm gonna continue to do it."

How Partnership with OIKOS Fits that Plan

Henry: "Yeah, exactly. They're definitely helping me remain durable. And then in the off-season, like you… like you said, I got a great snack, the Triple Zero, Greek yogurt. That I can have, even if I'm not really hungry, or I need something to hold me off until dinner, I can always have this Greek yogurt Triple Zero packed with high protein, from OIKOS."

Working with Actress Kathryn Hahn

Henry: "Yeah, man, I was excited. You know, this is a big thing for me, and I'm very thankful that Oikos chose me to be able to be a co-star with Kathryn Hahn, who's a big star. You know, that was the first time I didn't really feel like I was, you know, a big-time anything. Because she's been doing this for a long time, so really just getting to know her, watching her, having fun, just talking, getting to know each other, and then watching her work, and then seeing how she does it. I might, you know, be able to learn something from her to help me, even from a little commercial. I might, you know, never know what it might lead to when I'm done playing football. I might want to hit her up and try to get some lessons or something."

King Henry on His Pregame Diet

Henry: "I really don't try to eat before the game. If I do, I would usually eat, like, avocado, or spinach or a banana. I don't try to eat too heavy, because I don't want a lot of food in my stomach. And that's really it... I love fruit; mango is my favorite fruit.

"I gotta start implementing to my game day meal, which will probably be a smart idea, you know, because of the high protein that it carries, and will probably hold me off for a game, add it with my fruit, banana or something, which wouldn't be too bad, but it goes Triple Zero."

On NFL Teammates Snacking Mid-Game

Henry: "Not guys, like snacking, too crazy. I think most guys don't try to eat too heavy before a game. And if they do, they're in the bathroom for a little while.

"But most guys, if they're snacking, they're probably trying to find something healthy that'll fuel them that our nutritionist from the team has given us, just to, you know, have something in our stomachs, until after the game, but I wouldn't say anyone's snacking crazy. If they are snacking, it's just to put something in their stomach to make them feel OK, go out there and perform."

King Henry's Big Game Meal Plan

Henry: "Yeah, usually, I mean, like, in the off-season, I give myself some grace. I have some cheat meals, every now and then. The Super Bowl game, I mean, everybody knows when you're having a big gathering, watching a game, ain't nothing out. Presented on the plate, it's not gonna be healthy anyway, but that's why you got Monday to work to get that stuff off of you ... I mean, I eat anything, burgers, wings ... Anything that's being cooked, which my family cooks, is always good, but, you know, I got the next week to work that off. I'm gonna enjoy the game."

Henry's Wish List for Winning Super Bowl LX

Henry: "I mean, my guy, [New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel over there, I'd love to see him get one, man. You know, spending my time with him, you know, the type of person he is, the type of coach he is, love to see him win one, and my running backs coach, who's with him as well, Coach Tony Dews, love to see him get one.

"And then my fellow Bama brother, Jarran Reed with the Seattle Seahawks, I'd love to see him get one as well, but yeah, those are probably the ones I'd love to see get a ring."

Derrick Henry Picks Super Bowl Winner

Henry: "If I were to choose a winner right now, who I'm confident would probably win it, it's Seattle, for sure. They're nasty. Yes, Seattle."

You can listen to the entire exclusive interview with Henry here.