Titans' Henry pens letter to late grandma after graduating from Alabama

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry graduated from the University of Alabama on Friday, fulfilling a promise he made to his late grandmother.

In a piece for The Players' Tribune titled "I Did It, Grandma," Henry wrote about the special bond he shared with his grandma, Gladys, and why walking across the stage at Alabama was so important to him.

Here's an excerpt:

You were my best friend.

Even when I left Yulee, Florida, for Alabama, you called me all the time, telling me how much you missed me.

"When you comin' home, Shocka?"

I'd be like, "Grandma, I miss you, too … but I can’t come home. I got football. I got school."

"You doin' your lessons?”

"Yes, ma'am."

"You better be."

You always made sure I understood the importance of education. "Football ain't gonna last forever," you'd say. So I always told you that no matter what else happened in my life, I would make sure that I got my college degree. I made that promise to you.

Well, Grandma ... I want you to know that I did it.

Gladys passed away on Sept. 13, 2016, two days after Henry made his NFL debut.