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Former Vikings LB E.J. Henderson named to College Football Hall of Fame

By MN Chapter of the National Football Foundation, 03/12/20, 11:15AM CDT

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Former Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame. Henderson, a star at Maryland from 1999-2002, will be inducted at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by ETT on Dec. 8 in New York City. 

Henderson was a two-time consensus All-American selection and is the second-leading tackler in Maryland football history. In 2002, he received the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the nation’s best defensive player. Henderson holds NCAA records for single-season solo tackles (135) and career solo tackles per game (8.8). Following his senior year, he won the Dick Butkus Award, which recognizes the nation’s most outstanding linebacker. 

Henderson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (40th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. During his nine-year career with the Vikings, he became one of the top tacklers in team history. Henderson’s 559 solo tackles rank seventh on Minnesota's modern era all-time list. After suffering a serious leg injury late in the 2009 season, he quickly recovered and made the Pro Bowl in 2010. Henderson finished his career with 15.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 20 pass breakups and five interceptions.

The former Maryland standout is part of a 19-member group entering the College Football Hall of Fame. He joins Minnesota Gophers legend Bob Stein in the 2020 class.