John Henderson was born on January 9, 1979, in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Pearl-Cohn High School, where he played football as a defensive lineman. He was part of back-to-back state championship teams in his Junior and Senior seasons.
After a successful high school career, Henderson received a scholarship to play for the University of Tennessee, where he became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in college football. During that time, Henderson was a 2-Time All-American, 2-Time All-SEC, and the Outland Trophy winner in 2000 for the nation’s top interior lineman.
In 2002, Henderson was drafted in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played for eight seasons. During his time with the Jaguars, he quickly became known for his size, strength and tenacity on the field. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the most feared defensive players in the league.
In 2010 Henderson was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where he played for two seasons before being released in 2012.
Throughout his career, Henderson was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He is a fierce competitor who always gave his all on the field and was respected by his teammates and opponents.