While official Super Bowl injury reports remain a day away from publication, New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson humorously suggested he might need to add his name to the list following an ill-advised late-night culinary adventure.
Burger-Induced Discomfort for Rookie Star
The 23-year-old athlete experienced genuine intestinal distress after joining teammates for a run to the beloved West Coast burger chain In-N-Out in Santa Clara, where the AFC champions are intensively preparing for Super Bowl LX. "I was hurting a little bit," Henderson confessed to the Daily Mail with a touch of humour. "I may not be back."
Despite his joking tone about potentially appearing on Wednesday's official injury report, the physical discomfort was authentic. Henderson attributed his condition directly to his substantial order: "I got two double cheeseburgers, ketchup and cheese only, some fries. It did me bad."
East Coast Players Embrace West Coast Tradition
For East Coast athletes like Virginia-born Henderson, quarterback Drake Maye, and center Garrett Bradbury—both hailing from North Carolina—the In-N-Out experience represents something of a regional delicacy. The burger chain has become a cultural touchpoint for visiting teams during West Coast engagements.
Social media captured the surreal moment when Super Bowl-bound athletes appeared in a fast-food establishment just days before the championship game. One observer noted the bizarre sight of "an MVP candidate that's starting in the Super Bowl in a few days just strolls by" while waiting in line.
Spiritual and Culinary Preferences Divide Locker Room
Beyond the culinary experience, Henderson expressed particular appreciation for In-N-Out's subtle religious references. The outspoken Christian noted: "One thing I like the most about them is they got the little bible verses on their little cups and the packaging. I like that." This tradition dates to the 1980s and reflects the founding Snyder family's religious faith, maintained under current owner Lynsi Snyder.
Not all Patriots share Henderson's burger allegiance, however. Quarterback Drake Maye revealed his preference for the New York-founded Shake Shack, telling reporters: "As an East Coast guy, I grew up on Shake Shack. But In-N-Out? I've gotta go with Shake Shack [for] the burger." Despite this culinary loyalty, Maye still participated in Monday's team outing to the Santa Clara In-N-Out location.
Humanising Super Bowl Athletes
Henderson acknowledged that fans seemed surprised to encounter NFL stars in a fast-food establishment during Super Bowl preparation week. "I feel like it surprised them, of course," he observed. However, the rookie running back emphasised that professional athletes maintain ordinary human needs despite their extraordinary circumstances.
"I feel like sometimes they don't understand, we human just like everyone else," Henderson explained. "We got to eat. We got to go to the grocery store, wherever. You might see me at places you'd never thought I'd be there."
The visit proved brief despite attracting attention from fellow customers. "We was in and out," Henderson quipped, unintentionally echoing the restaurant's name. "People was taking pictures while we were eating and stuff like that, but we were actually in and out."
While Henderson's digestive discomfort proved temporary and won't affect his Super Bowl participation, the episode highlights the balancing act between professional discipline and human indulgence during the intense pressure of championship preparation.
