Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has adopted a bold strategy to address the looming threat of Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, drawing inspiration from one of college football’s most intense rivalries. By refusing to mention Henry by name—even in public appearances—Tomlin has mirrored the long-standing Ohio State tradition of avoiding direct references to their arch-rivals, Michigan.
The move underscores the significance of Henry’s impact on the Ravens’ offense, particularly in their divisional clashes with Pittsburgh, where he has been a dominant force. Over the past two seasons, Henry has amassed 3,516 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and his performance against Tomlin’s former team has been especially lethal, totaling 447 yards on 82 attempts in four games.
Tomlin’s approach, rooted in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry’s history of mutual disdain, aims to galvanize his players by framing Henry as an unstoppable, almost mythical adversary—one that demands relentless preparation.
The tactic is not without precedent. Ohio State coaches, including Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer, have long avoided naming Michigan, instead referring to them as ‘That Team Up North’ to emphasize the rivalry’s weight.
Tomlin, who has been at the center of the Steelers-Ravens feud for nearly two decades, has now weaponized this tradition to sharpen his team’s focus. His refusal to utter Henry’s name—even during a recent pre-game show—serves as a deliberate statement, reinforcing the idea that the Ravens’ star running back is a defining challenge in this heated divisional battle.
With Henry’s track record and Tomlin’s history of fiery confrontations, the stage is set for another chapter in one of the NFL’s most personal rivalries.
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