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On the field, TreVeyon Henderson has been a star for Ohio State when he hasn’t been sidelined by injuries.
But away from the gridiron, the former five-star recruit has struggled with his mental health and the frightening reality of sleep paralysis for years.
Henderson discussed these issues and more during a recent appearance at The Walk Foundation’s Walk by Faith event at Upper Arlington High School in Ohio.
The fourth-year running back told those assembled that his darker thoughts stemmed from having to see his mother support him and his two brothers growing up.
“It broke me at a young age. I wanted to help her,” Henderson said, via Eleven Warriors. “I’d just see her crying, there was nothing I could do being at that young age. I became so dark at the time. Sometimes, I’d be alone, and these evil thoughts would pop into my head about taking my own life. I had so much anger in my heart, I would go get a knife and slit my wrists, take that anger out. That’s why my mom put me in football. Football became a way that I could drive that anger.”
Football led to Henderson becoming the No. 1 running back recruit in the country and having a record-setting freshman season at Ohio State in 2021.
However, a foot injury stunted his sophomore campaign, and left him in despair. Thankfully, a renewed focus on his faith and working with the Ohio State training staff to tame his sleep paralysis brought him out of the darkness.
“The Lord, he promises to give us rest for our souls,” Henderson said. “All my life, I’ve been carrying that heavy burden living live without him. Carrying that heavy burden of this life, weighing me down to the point that I couldn’t carry it anymore. I didn’t want to carry it by myself. But Jesus, this is what he promises. That heavy burden that we’re carrying, he will take that away and give us enough burden that we can carry (with him).”
Injuries still cost Henderson three games in 2023, but he was able to take his time and rehab before returning to finish the year strong. The Virginia native led Ohio State in all three major rushing categories, posting 926 yards and 11 touchdowns on 156 carries.
Now, he’ll be counted on to be a leader for the OSU offense in 2024 as the Buckeyes make a run at the Big Ten and national titles.