USF Athletics

Football (1997-2000)

A trailblazer for the Bulls’ football program, longtime NFL player Anthony Henry was part of the first batch of four-year letter winners at USF.

The second-ever Bull selected in the NFL Draft (2001), Henry still ranks fourth in USF career history with 10 interceptions, sixth in passes defended (30) and 11^th with 254 tackles in 42 games from 1997-2000.  USF posted a 27-17 record as an independent during Henry's career while he was named to the 1997 I-AA All-Independent Team and received an All-Independent award.

Henry’s senior year saw him haul in five interceptions, which are tied for the fifth-best total in season program history, and earn a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2000. In the historic 2001 NFL Draft, Henry became the second Bull ever selected, taken with the 97th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. He was the second of three consecutive USF draft picks to be selected in the fourth round, one spot behind Kenyatta Jones and one spot prior to Bill Gramatica.

As an NFL rookie, Henry ranked first in the AFC and tied for the NFL lead with a club record-tying 10 interceptions. After four seasons in Cleveland, Henry was a key signing in the opening hours of free agency for Dallas in 2005, playing four seasons with the Cowboys and spending one final year in Detroit.

Overall, Henry totaled 29 interceptions during a nine-year pro career with the three different organizations. Henry was one of the league's more physical players at the corner position and was a solid run-stopping tackler, averaging over 50 tackles per season as a starting NFL cornerback.  Sure hands and solid instincts allowed him post six games with at least two INTs.

Known for his high character around the league, Henry was an active member in the community, working regularly with the Cleveland Clinic, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, the United Way and the Food Banks of Dallas and Cleveland. 

Henry was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, becoming the first USF football player to earn the distinguished honor.