This Jacksonville Jaguar and Florida Gator is giving back to his alma mater Columbus
Christopher Columbus High School is the recipient of $250,000 from Christopher “CJ” Henderson, a 2017 Columbus grad who is playing in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The funds will be used for the school’s athletic training center project.
In honor of CJ and the Henderson family’s generosity, Columbus will name the facility -- projected to open in August -- the Henderson Family Athletic Training Center.
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Born and raised in Miami, Henderson was a star cornerback and running back at Columbus. In his senior year, he was invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The 6-foot-1, 200 pound talent played collegiately at the University of Florida, appearing in 11 games (five starts) as a true freshman. He became the first freshman in Florida’s history to return an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games (against Michigan and Tennessee). He was second team All SEC in 2017 and 2018 and first team All SEC in 2019.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the first round, ninth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Henderson made his NFL debut in the season opener on Sept. 13 against the Indianapolis Colts, starting and recording five tackles and his first career interception, intercepting Philip Rivers and returning it 22 yards. He also defended three passes, including breaking up a pass on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter to secure a Jaguars’ 27–20 victory. He was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.
Henderson’s younger brother, Xzavier, also starred at Columbus. A standout receiver, he helped the Explorers football team win the FHSAA Class 8A state title twice (2018 and 2019). A U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant, he followed in his brother’s cleats, attending the University of Florida, where he continues to shine. Xzavier is also a two-time FHSAA state champion in track & field (400 and 4x400 relay).
“My younger brother, Xzavier, felt the same away about donating back to my high school,” CJ said on the Columbus YouTube channel. “He followed in my footsteps and actually achieved more than I did in high school. [Both achieved plenty during their high school days with Columbus]. That was another big reason why I also wanted to donate and give back.”
The Hendersons played youth football for the Palmetto Raiders in the Greater Miami Pop Warner League.
In the future, maybe we’ll see CJ and Xzavier on the same NFL team or even lined-up against each other (cornerback vs. receiver) in the NFL.
Florida Dairy Farmers award
Senior Marvin Collins of Winter Springs High School has been selected as the winner of the 2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Weightlifting award.
Collins, who won the 238-pound Class 2A state championship, posted a 400-pound bench press and added a 350-pound lift in the clean-and-jerk for a 750-pound total that bested the runner-up by 80 pounds.
Lowery was selected as the 2021 Boys’ Weightlifting Coach of the Year after leading Keystone Heights to the Class 1A state title, the school’s first since 2014. The team had eight place winners, including 139-pound champion Zach Glover and 169-pound champion Kade Sanders, in scoring 37 points.
BCAA sports
Coral Glades Athletic Director Kristen Garcia and Stoneman Douglas Athletic Director Ally Guzzo were named Broward County Athletic Association Athletic Directors of the Year. Info from BCAA Twitter.
Archbishop McCarthy soccer
Archbishop McCarthy senior soccer players Adriana Duque, Kimmy Cover and Lili Katz were selected to the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.
Cover was also named to the All-Region Team. Info from Archbishop McCarthy Twitter.
Cardinal Gibbons soccer
The City of Fort Lauderdale (Mayor Dean Trantalis and Vice Mayor Heather Moraitis) recognized the Cardinal Gibbons girls’ soccer team with a proclamation earlier this month for winning the FHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
It marked the first state title for the Chiefs’ girls’ soccer program. The team is coached by Margo Flack. Info from Cardinal Gibbons Twitter.
Gulliver Prep spring sports
Student athletes from the Gulliver Prep spring sports teams combined for an impressive 3.51 grade point average. Info from Gulliver Prep Twitter.
Submit info on award winners and all-star games
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have coaches and athletes who won special awards (local, state, regional, nationals) and/or competed in all-star games, email hssports@miamiherald.com. Varsity only.
All-County honors & virtual awards
The Miami Herald released the All-County teams for spring sports on Monday online.
Wednesday it will be in the newspaper’s print edition.
Also, the virtual awards ceremony for the 2020-21 high school sports term is Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the Miami Herald’s YouTube, Facebook pages and the sports home page.
Submit summer sports results
For summer sports with high school athletes in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have results and stats for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com.
For club teams and individuals, include the high school(s) of the student athlete(s).
This is open to participants in summer sports leagues, events and tournaments who are current high school athletes, those who graduated in 2021 and those who will be freshmen in the fall.
Email hssports@miamiherald.com.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published May 24, 2021 at 10:26 PM.
