FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Derrick Henry received keys to his all-new Nissan Titan XD pickup truck on Friday. It was red, of course, just like his uniform at the University of Alabama.
At a Heisman House event before employees at Nissan's headquarters in Cool Springs, the Titans rookie running back also received a proposition.
"Now that you are part of the Nissan family, would you want to join my company flag football team?,'' asked one man in the audience.
Henry laughed, and so did everyone else.
"If I had free time I would,'' a smiling Henry said. "You'll have to ask the Titans."
The Titans, of course, are expecting big things from Henry in 2016, and in years to come. After rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns last season while guiding the Crimson Tide to the national championship, the Titans drafted him in the second round of the NFL Draft.
Asked about his personal goals for 2016, Henry responded: "I feel like personal goals will fall in place once you put the team first and contribute to the team. Everything else will fall into place if you want it to if you put the team first."
Henry, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, was inducted into Nissan's fictional Heisman House fraternity during Friday's event. Next week in Los Angeles, he'll begin shooting commercials in the campaign's popular TV ads and social media vignettes.
Henry said he's proud to be a part of the Heisman fraternity, which also includes one of his teammates – Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
"It is special,'' Henry said. "You have a lot of legends, great players, and great ambassadors. It is a blessing for me to be mentioned and to be in the Heisman fraternity, and something I will cherish the rest of my life. It's a dream come true. … There is no pressure (that comes with it). You are appreciative of it, and it's a blessing. But you keep playing hard like you have always been doing."
Speaking of Mariota, Henry said he's helped him with his transition to the NFL.
"Marcus is a great person, and he is a competitor," Henry said of Mariota. "He is the leader of the team and he works hard. He is always giving advice whenever I talk to him."
During the event on Friday, Henry offered up some tidbits about himself when employees and their families asked questions from the crowd.
• Henry said he's liked what he's seen of Nashville so far, and said he's already had a chance to try some hot chicken, at Hattie B's.
• The Heisman Trophy winner he's really looking forward to meeting next week is former Georgia running back Herschel Walker, one of his idols growing up.
One employee asked Henry if he'll give Walker grief about surpassing his single-season SEC rushing record. Walker's 1,891 yards in 1981 stood as the record until Henry and LSU's Leonard Fournette (1,953) surpassed it in 2015.
"I'm just going to give him hugs," Henry said.
• Henry said he also grew up a big fan of longtime NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and even had a bobblehead of L.T.
• He said he plans to celebrate his first NFL touchdown by "giving thanks to the man upstairs."
• Henry was asked by one fan if he has a girlfriend. With a smile, he replied, "Yes I do."
Before receiving keys to his new truck, Henry also answered a number of questions from reporters at the event.
The subject matter was football heavy.
"I am just taking it day and adjusting to it,'' Henry said of his transition from college to the NFL, and the whirlwind he's experienced. "Getting drafted and being with the Titans organization has been fun. I have been learning, and it's been a fun transition.
"Just the transition of learning, being able to watch other guys who are veterans and see how they carry themselves. It is a blessing to be able to learn from and ask them questions to try and get adjusted quickly."
The Titans wrapped up a minicamp last week, and the team isn't scheduled to be back on the field until training camp at the end of July.
Henry said he's focusing now on training, and being ready for the 2016 season.
He hopes to make an impact on his new team, in the NFL.
"I hope so. But right now I am just trying to make the transition, learn, compete, and be coachable and get ready for training camp,'' Henry said. "I always say put the team first. Whatever I can do to help the team I am always willing to do."
The Titans select Alabama RB Derrick Henry in the second round (45th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)