(Updated) Alabama's Derrick Henry wins Heisman Trophy

NEW YORK CITY -- There was no need for a long, written out speech.

The boy from Yulee, Fla. wanted to speak from the heart. All Derrick Henry took to the stage with him was a list of people to thank. But he would have needed another 15 or 20 minutes to mention everyone who has supported him throughout his life as he was overcome with emotion.

“First of all, my heart was about to bust out of my chest. I thought I was about to have a heart attack,” Henry said, recalling what went through his mind the moment the announcement was made. “I was just -- I didn’t know what to think. It’s just God, man. I prayed every night just asking God to guide me in the right place. I know I have the right people in front of me that’ll do that for me.

“I know I have the right men in my teammates that will help me grow as a player. People I’ve learned from growing up who helped me get to this moment, man. God is so good, and if you pray to him, he’ll hear you and he’ll prepare everything that you asked for.”

Henry was named the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner over Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Henry received 378 first-place votes and earned 1,832 points overall. He won five of the six voting regions. The only exception was the Far West, where he finished second to McCaffrey.

Overall, McCaffrey (290 first-place votes, 1,539 points) finished a distant second while Watson (148, 1,165) checked in at third in the voting.

Henry said winning the award was just as good as he dreamed it would be.

“It definitely did. I’m still dreaming because it hasn’t hit me yet,” Henry said. “I’m just so thankful to have this trophy, man. It’s a blessing and an honor. It’s everything, man.”

Henry added the Heisman to his already impressive haul of awards as he won the Doak Walker (best running back), Maxwell Award (player of the year) and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award on Thursday.

Henry joined Mark Ingram to become the second Heisman winner in Alabama history. Henry is also the first running back to receive the award since Ingram in 2009.

With that in mind, Henry already knows where he wants to put his trophy.

“Bring it back to Alabama and let it join Mark Ingram’s,” Henry said. “Every time I walk through there, I look at (Ingram’s trophy) all the time. Now I’ll have something to look at it with my name on it. I’m so glad I could bring Alabama its second Heisman Trophy.”

Henry experienced the trip with his mother, Jastacia Veal, his father Derrick Sr., his school coach Bobby Ramsey and two other coaches Pat Dunlap and J.T. Medley along with their families and Alabama officials. During his speech, Henry noticed his mother and father crying in the audience.

“They had me at a young age, and were still there by my side every step of the way,” Henry said. “I’m so thankful for my parents. To have them here and be able to enjoy this moment together. … They’ve been enjoying themselves and walking around more than me.”

Dunlap, who was the offensive coordinator at Yulee Middle School and the running backs coach at Yulee High, said everyone in attendance with Henry shed tears.

“Oh my God,” Dunlap said of his emotions. “Nobody on the planet deserves it more than he does. I’m so happy for him, his family and his future.”

There was a lot of “fist clutching” and “knee-clutching” for Ramsey, Henry’s high school coach.

“Joy, happiness and relief for him,” Ramsey said. “Just really, really happy for him. He earned it. Knowing the guy like I do, he’s earned this one.”

Medley is one of Henry’s youth coaches and a father figure. Henry has lived with Medley and his wife since his 10th grade year of high school.”

“I’m excited and loving life right now,” Medley said. “I was crying the whole time. I don’t even have the words for what he accomplished.”

Once he got a brief moment to himself, Henry posted a tweet that read

“We did it ! Yulee & Bama Nation , God is great ! Thank you for all your love & support !”

As he always does, the boy from Yulee thanked everyone who has helped him while taking no credit for himself.

Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett atmburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter: @Marq_Burnett.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 10:23 PM with the headline "(Updated) Alabama's Derrick Henry wins Heisman Trophy ."