About Inductee

Keith Henderson graduated from Butler High School in 1985, where he participated in football, wrestling and track, and in each sport, he made the All-City Team. During his years at Butler, Keith played football for Coach Leonard Thomas, and he was chosen Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in both his Junior and Senior years. He signed a football scholarship with Jacksonville State University, following graduation from Butler High School, and he played for Jacksonville State from 1985-1989. Keith had the honor of playing on back-to-back Gulf South Conference Championship Teams during his Junior and Senior years at Jacksonville. During his Senior year, JSU was 13-0-1 and played for the NCAA Division II National Championship. While at Jacksonville, Keith started in 46 straight games over a four year period and was selected to the All GSC Team in his Junior and Senior years. He was also named as Team Captain for the JSU Gamecocks his Senior year. In 2003, Keith had the honor of being selected to the JSU All-Centennial Football Team as the First Team Center. Keith said, "Out of these honors the greatest honor of all was having the privilege of playing for Coach Bill Burgess and his staff at JSU." Following his playing career at Jacksonville, he was given the opportunity to stay as a Graduate Assistant, at which time he coached centers and guards and worked with the strength and conditioning program. During his two years as a Graduate Assistant, the Gamecocks won back-to-back GSC Championships and played for the NCAA Division II National Championship both years; in 1992, they won the Division II National Championship. After leaving Jacksonville, Keith has worked as a teacher and coach for the past 15 years. He now teaches and coaches football, wrestling and track at Grissom High School. Keith responded about those who had the greatest impact on his life and athletic accomplishments as follows, "I could not have had the success I have had without the influence of my parents, Jimmy and Gale Henderson. They always taught me the importance of commitment, hard work, and perseverance in everything I did and I am thankful that they raised me in a strong Christian home." Keith is married to the former Cari Robinson and they have five children, Emily, Hayden, John-David, Hillary, and Harper.