CHICAGO - In a fitting tribute to one of the game's greatest running backs, Derrick Henry made history on the very field where Walter Payton once dominated, surpassing Sweetness himself on the all-time rushing touchdown list.

During the Baltimore Ravens' Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Henry punched in his 111th career rushing touchdown, breaking a tie with the late Hall of Famer and claiming sole possession of fifth place in one of football's most prestigious statistical categories. The achievement came on October 27, 2025, adding another chapter to what has become one of the most dominant rushing careers in modern NFL history.

The significance of the moment was not lost on those watching. Walter Payton, known affectionately as Sweetness, remains one of the most revered figures in NFL history. His 111 rushing touchdowns stood as a benchmark of excellence for decades, a testament to his combination of power, grace, and longevity. For Henry to match and surpass that mark speaks volumes about the Ravens' star and his place among the elite ball carriers the league has ever seen.

Henry's journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable. The bruising running back has built his reputation on a punishing running style that combines rare size and speed, making him one of the most feared offensive weapons in the game. His ability to break tackles, accelerate through holes, and finish runs in the end zone has been a constant throughout his career, and this latest achievement only reinforces his status as one of the generation's premier rushers.

With 111 rushing touchdowns now to his credit, Henry trails only four players in NFL history: Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen, and Jim Brown. That is rarified air, occupied exclusively by players who have already received or are destined to receive gold jackets in Canton. For Henry to stand among such company while still adding to his resume demonstrates both his consistent excellence and his potential to climb even higher before his career concludes.

The timing of the milestone against the Bears carried its own poetry. Chicago, where Payton spent his entire legendary career, provided the stage for Henry to step past the former Bears great. While some might view it as bittersweet for the home crowd, it also represented a passing of the torch from one era of dominant rushing to another.

As Henry continues to add to his impressive career totals, the question now becomes not whether he belongs among the all-time greats, but rather how high he can climb before hanging up his cleats. With several productive seasons potentially still ahead of him, the top three spots on the rushing touchdown list may not be as unreachable as they once seemed.