Mario Henderson (October 29, 1984 – October 21, 2020) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the first four years of his career with the Oakland Raiders, after being selected from Florida State in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Mario Henderson
No. 75
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1984-10-29)October 29, 1984
Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
Died:October 21, 2020(2020-10-21) (aged 35)
Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:302 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school:Lehigh Acres Senior
(Lehigh Acres, Florida)
College:Florida State
NFL draft:2007 / Round: 3 / Pick: 91
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:44
Games started:28
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR · ArenaFan.com

High school and college career edit

Henderson originally attended Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida.[1] Henderson was a 375-pound freshman who'd never played football. His first year of football was his Freshman year. He also played varsity in the 2000-2001 season at Verot.

After his sophomore year, Henderson transferred to Lehigh Senior High School. Due to transfer rules, he was not able to play during his junior year. He used that time to change his physique and, in his senior year, earned a scholarship to Florida State University.[2] His senior year, he averaged 28 points per game and 14 rebounds, and was 1st team all state and 1st team all county as a member of Lehigh Senior basketball team.

Professional career edit

Oakland Raiders edit

After starting only one year his senior year of college, Henderson was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft.[3] In his second year, he started several games at left tackle in place of injured veteran Kwame Harris, and was the Raiders' full-time left tackle in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Colorado Ice edit

Henderson played with the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League for the 2011 season.[4]

San Diego Chargers edit

Henderson signed with the San Diego Chargers on April 13, 2012.[5] He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2012.[6]

Utah Blaze edit

Henderson signed with the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League (AFL) on November 9, 2012. He was placed on the reserve/refused to report list on March 1, 2013.[7]

Colorado Ice (second stint) edit

Henderson re-signed with the Colorado Ice in May 2013.[8]

Tampa Bay Storm edit

Henderson signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL in March 2014.[9] He re-signed with the team after the 2014 season on October 9, 2014. He was placed on the reserve/refused to report list on March 5, 2015. He was placed on reassignment on March 1, 2016.[10]

Personal life edit

On March 17, 2011, Henderson was arrested in Fort Myers on the charge of carrying a concealed firearm.[11][12]

On October 21, 2020, Henderson died at the age of 35.[13][14]

References edit

  1. ^ "Mario Henderson Stats, News and Video - T". NFL.com.
  2. ^ "Mario Henderson Grows into His Position - the Official Athletic Site of the Atlantic Coast Conference". Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "Chargers add tackle Mario Henderson". ESPN.com. April 13, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Smith, Michael David (April 13, 2012). "Chargers sign Mario Henderson". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Cesaire, Hester let go by Chargers". ESPN.com. August 31, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Utah Blaze Team Transactions". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Dyer, Joe (May 19, 2013). "Ice making moves to stay no. 1". FortMorganTimes.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  9. ^ Wright, Brandon (March 13, 2014). "Storm opens Arena Football season Friday vs. New Orleans". TampaBay.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "Tampa Bay Storm Team Transactions". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  11. ^ Souza, Gabriella (March 17, 2011). "Ex-Lee County high school star football player Henderson arrested in Fort Myers gun case". Ft. Myers News-Press. Retrieved March 19, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Oakland Raider arrested on firearms charge". WBBH-TV. March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  13. ^ "Report: Former Raider OT Mario Henderson passes away". Silver and Black Pride. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Report: Former NFL left tackle Mario Henderson dead at 35". 247Sports. Retrieved October 21, 2020.

External links edit