Mike Tomlin is not known for being nervous when it comes to facing off against NFL foes. There is one player, however, that he wants nothing to do with it.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach refused to even say the name of Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry while covering Sunday’s game between the Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. Instead, Tomlin only referred to Henry as “the big runner.”
So much respect for The Big Runner.
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) October 12, 2026
Tomlin battled Henry for years, first while Henry was with the Tennessee Titans and later once he joined the Ravens. The former Steelers coach had a front-row seat to some of Henry’s most memorable moments, whether he liked it or not.
Tomlin certainly is not the only coach terrified of Henry, who keeps rewriting the record books at age 32. He did not disappoint on Sunday, as he rushed for 102 yards in Baltimore’s overtime win.
Henry has seven 1,000-yard seasons to his name, and he appears well on his way to an eighth. Through five games, he already has 476 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
