Devery Henderson

Devery Henderson
Name	Devery Henderson
Birth date	18 August 1982
Birth place	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Weight lb	187
College	LSU
Undraftedyear	2004
Pastteams	New England Patriots (2004)
Position	Wide receiver/Return specialist

Devery Henderson Devery L. Henderson (born August 18, 1982) is an American former professional American football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and spent most of his professional career with the New Orleans Saints, contributing to the franchise's first Super Bowl championship and participating in multiple NFC Championship Game appearances.

Early life and high school

Henderson was born in New Orleans and attended Ursuline Academy for part of his youth before transferring to Port Allen and enrolling at Plaquemine High School and later John Ehret High School where he played high school football. At Nicholls State University-area prep programs he excelled as a wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner in Louisiana high school competition, attracting attention from LSU Tigers football recruiters and earning all-district and all-state recognition. He competed against regional opponents such as McNeese State and Tulane prospects while participating in camps hosted by LSU and other Southeastern college football programs.

College career

Henderson attended Louisiana State University and played for the LSU Tigers football from 2000 to 2003 under head coach Nick Saban and later Les Miles staff members. As a Tiger he was a dynamic downfield threat and return specialist, playing in the FBS and contributing in marquee matchups against Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, and USC Trojans in bowl games and regular season contests. Henderson was part of the LSU program that advanced to the BCS National Championship Game and won the 2003 national title, teaming with notable teammates such as JaMarcus Russell, Michael Clayton, Rohan Davey, and Joseph Addai while coached by staff that included Jimbo Fisher and Ed Orgeron in assistant roles. His collegiate production on offense and special teams made him a prospect for the NFL Draft and drew interest from multiple NFL organizations.

Professional career

After the 2004 NFL Draft, Henderson signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots before being released and joining the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. He was elevated to the active roster and developed into the Saints' primary deep threat and a key return specialist in the Carrollton-area franchise. Henderson's professional timeline intersected with prominent figures and events in modern NFL history, including playing for coach Sean Payton and sharing the field with teammates such as Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston, and Tracy Porter. He contributed to playoff runs through the 2006 playoffs, the 2009 NFL season, and the 2009–10 NFL playoffs culminating in the Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts led by Peyton Manning.

NFL career statistics

Henderson's NFL statistics include receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, return yards, and return touchdowns accumulated primarily with the New Orleans Saints across seasons featuring matchups against teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles. His contributions in postseason play were recorded in games such as the NFC Divisional Playoffs, NFC Championship Game, and Super Bowl XLIV. (Comprehensive season-by-season numerical tables are available in statistical archives maintained by the National Football League, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and sports databases that track ESPN, Pro-Football-Reference, and NFL.com metrics.)

Personal life

Henderson has ties to the New Orleans metropolitan area and Louisiana community, participating in regional outreach and youth football events. Off the field he has been associated with community initiatives in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and has maintained relationships with former LSU and Saints teammates such as Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and collegiate contemporaries from the SEC conference including Jared Lorenzen and Eddie Kennison.

Legacy and honors

Henderson is remembered for his role in the Saints' first franchise championship, his speed and big-play ability, and contributions to LSU's national prominence in the early 2000s. His legacy is tied to honors and recognition within the New Orleans Saints organization and the LSU Tigers football program, appearing in historical discussions alongside franchise figures like Tom Benson, Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and LSU legends such as Billy Cannon and Les Miles. He is cited in retrospectives on the Saints' Super Bowl XLIV team and in analyses of return specialists who impacted postseason outcomes.

Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from New Orleans Category:LSU Tigers football players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:American football wide receivers