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Derrick Henry reacts to comparisons to U.S. rugby's Ilona Maher's stiff-arm running style: 'I love it'

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•07/31/24•

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olympic rugby derrick henry lona maher
USA Today Network

When it comes to the stiff arm, game recognizes game. So count Derrick Henry as a huge fan of Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher, who led the Americans to an improbable bronze medal — the team’s first — in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Henry, the new Ravens running back, took a break from training camp to catch some highlights from the Olympic action in Paris. He loved the American women’s Rugby Sevens team. After all, they excel at a game that looks like some very old-school option football. The kind where a back like King Henry can shove, stiff arm and sprint downfield to his heart’s content.

Surely, he must be kindred spirits with Maher.

“Oh yeah, she got it,” Derrick Henry told the Ravens social team earlier this week. “Mindset. Running strong and hard, not trying to go down, getting to the end zone by any means.”

Rugby — the Olympic’s new glamour sport

First, some background, and why a superstar from the NFL like Derrick Henry would care. The Olympics usually bring us two types of action. There’s the known sports we Americans love, like swimming, gymnastics, track and field. We’ll watch both beach and indoor volleyball and cheer for the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Then there are some sports and their stars who unexpectedly capture our fancy every four years. Maher and the other American women on the rugby team are the ones who have made the lasting impression, at least in week one.

After all, the Americans won a bronze medal, the first for a U.S. Olympic team in a century. And they did so with dramatic flair and a dash of redemption. Earlier in the day, the Black Ferns of New Zealand pounded the Americans in the semifinals. Then hours later, the U.S. played for the bronze medal against the Aussies.

With less than a minute to go in the game, the Americans were down 12-7. Alex Sedrick broke free from defenders. It was like they pushed her forward. And she dashed downfield to bronze.

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Derrick Henry dominated at Alabama, while Ilona Maher was best rugby player in country at Quinnipiac

Although Sedrick owned the most memorable play of the match, Maher was the soul of the team during the Olympic competition. She’s also their social media pitchwoman who maintains a huge presence on Tik Tok. (Hello, 1.1 million followers).

And she and Derrick Henry share an impressive collegiate resume. Of course, Henry went to Alabama, which prides itself on its punishing running game. Henry has been throwing a stiff arm for years and years.

Meanwhile, Maher was a three-time All-American for Quinnipiac. And yes, she won rugby’s version of the Heisman in 2017.

Derrick Henry watched the above highlights of Maher. And he got excited.

“Get off of me!” Henry yelled as he watched the highlights. That’s some ultimate praise. “I love it. Make me want to get out there, too.”

They really do share are the same soul, don’t they?