NBC analyst Mike Tomlin spent Sunday night's pregame show refusing to say Derrick Henry's name, instead calling the Baltimore Ravens running back “The Big Runner” throughout the network's coverage of Baltimore's visit to the Atlanta Falcons. The bit, which aired October 11, 2026, ahead of a game the Ravens won 30-23 in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, quickly became the most talked-about moment of the broadcast.
A Running Joke Rooted in Real Fear
NBC Sports analyst Mike Tomlin refused to say Derrick Henry's name during the pregame show for the Ravens-Falcons Sunday Night Football matchup, as he repeatedly referred to the running back as The Big Runner. With Lamar Jackson sidelined by an ankle injury for the game, Tomlin said the Ravens needed to ride The Big Runner, using the nickname two more times as he elaborated.
Analyst Maria Taylor eventually stepped in to clear up any confusion for viewers. "He still will not say his name because he sends a shiver down his spine," Taylor said. Tomlin didn't deny it, later taking to social media to needle himself further. He reposted a clip of the segment and wrote that he has so much respect for The Big Runner.
Why Tomlin Can't Shake the Name
A Painful History in the Playoffs
The bit wasn't random. In Henry's eight games against Tomlin's Steelers, five with the Ravens and three with the Tennessee Titans, he averaged 102 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns. Tomlin is probably still having nightmares about Henry's performance in Baltimore's 28-14 win over Pittsburgh in a Wild-Card playoff game in January 2025, when Henry rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns to eliminate the Steelers.
The Numbers Tomlin Also Pointed Out
Even while dodging the name, Tomlin broke down Henry's production with real analysis. He cited Henry's declining yards-per-carry from 5.9 to 4.2, attributing it to the absence of fullback Patrick Ricard, who now plays for the Giants. It was a reminder that Tomlin's broadcasting persona blends comedy with the same film-room detail he used for years as a head coach.
Henry Delivers Again in Atlanta
The running back did little to dispel the legend. He rushed for 102 yards in Baltimore's overtime win on a night that also featured a Henry touchdown and a game-tying two-point conversion run. At 32 years old, Henry has seven 1,000-yard seasons to his name and, through five games this year, already has 476 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Huntley Steps Up Without Jackson
With Jackson out, backup Tyler Huntley carried the passing game. Huntley completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns as the fill-in starter, while Jackson watched from the sideline in street clothes. Huntley also scored the winning touchdown himself, following Henry's push to the one-yard line in overtime.
Ravens coach Jesse Minter praised his backup afterward. "There's not a locker room in the NFL that has more confidence in their backup quarterback than we have in Snoop," Minter said. He added that the win could be a launching point after the Ravens took sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
What Comes Next
The moment also fits into a broader pattern for Tomlin's second act in television, where candid, film-study-style breakdowns have become a hallmark of his NFL coverage. The same broadcast featured him assessing his old team, closing a separate Steelers segment with a simple verdict on their win that night.
For Baltimore, the bigger question is how long the offense leans on Henry and Huntley while Jackson recovers, a situation that echoes other backfield uncertainties around the league this season, including the running back timeline in Green Bay. The Ravens' roster has also been in flux up front after Baltimore's involvement in the blockbuster offensive line trade with the Eagles, adding another layer to how the team protects its passing game once Jackson returns. For now, though, the story out of Atlanta belongs to a running back so feared that even a Hall-of-Fame-caliber coach-turned-broadcaster can't bring himself to say his name on live television.