National Football Foundation

A 4.0 GPA earned Drew Henson the top spot among his graduating class at Brighton High School (Mich.). He was also a National Honor Society member and the State of Michigan Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Henson was named to at least nine First Team All-America teams, including ESPN, Parade Magazine and USA TODAY both as a quarterback and punter. He was just as successful on the baseball diamond, being named All-America on virtually every team published as well as national MVP honors from various organizations. Henson holds the state record for touchdown passes in a single game (six) and ranks second all-time in career passing yards (5,662), career touchdowns (52) and single season touchdowns (26). In baseball, as a pitcher and infielder, Henson set national high school records for most career homeruns (70), RBIs (290) and grand slams (10).

Henson attended the University of Michigan, serving as backup to Tom Brady during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. In 1998, Henson accumulated 21 completions on 47 pass attempts (good for 254 yards), three touchdowns and one interception. He saw action in seven of Michigan's 13 games, including a win over No. 11 Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl. Henson saw his number of pass attempts nearly double in 1999, throwing 90 times and completing 47 passes. He recorded 546 passing yards, along with three touchdowns and two interceptions in nine appearances. Henson got the starting role in 2000, completing 146-of-237 passes for 2,146 yards and 18 touchdowns while helping the Wolverines to a share of the Big Ten title and a Citrus Bowl victory over Auburn.

Henson was a 1999 Academic All-Big Ten selection and a two-time recipient of the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award. He also received the John F. Maulbetsch Award, given to a freshman football candidate after spring practice on the basis of desire, character, capacity for leadership and future success both on and off the gridiron. His 159.4 efficiency rating in 2000 ranks fifth all-time at Michigan and his four-touchdown performance against Northwestern is tied for the most touchdowns thrown by a Michigan quarterback. Henson still holds program records for career interception percentage (1.87) and average gain per play in a season (7.93).

Henson was selected in the third round of the 1998 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. In his first year of playing, he batted .280 with 13 home runs with the Tampa Yankees, the Single-A affiliate. He began 2000 with Tampa, and after hitting .333, he was promoted to the AA Norwich Navigators, and he hit seven home runs before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded back to the Yankees in 2001, but struggled at the AAA level Columbus Clippers, batting .234 in three seasons as the starting third baseman. Henson played in eight games over the 2002 and 2003 seasons for the New York Yankees, going one for nine with three runs scored.

After announcing his retirement from baseball, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. On Thanksgiving Day 2004, Henson started his first game for Dallas. Henson went 4–12 for 31 passing yards in the first half before leaving the game with the score tied at seven. Henson finished the 2004 season with 10 of 18 pass attempts completed for 78 yards and one touchdown. He was allocated to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2006, and he was later released by the Cowboys. Henson appeared on the rosters of the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions from 2006-09. After leaving the playing field, Henson became a member of the Yankees' professional scouting staff.