Big James Henderson
Encyclopedia
James Gregory Henderson, also known as Big James Henderson and James "Hollywood" Henderson (born April 9, 1965 in Roxbury, Massachusetts
) is a former powerlifter who competed in the International Powerlifting Federation
and won five world bench press titles.
in the 1990s:
, where he holds a Bachelors degree in theology
and psychology
. He also attended Albany State University
where he played football from 1984 to 1986. His career as an offensive lineman ended when he blew out his knee.
In 1989 Henderson was convicted of drug trafficking and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He served 3 years at Rivers State Prison before being paroled and later pardoned in 1992. While at Rivers State he began reading the Bible and became a devoted born again Christian
. Now Henderson gives motivational speeches to groups such as students, business leaders, and prisoners. He currently tours the Georgia Prison System as a speaker for Heartbound Ministries. During his appearances he tells his story of how he became the bench press champion and performs feats of strength.
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and became a city in 1846 until annexed to Boston on January 5, 1868...
) is a former powerlifter who competed in the International Powerlifting Federation
International Powerlifting Federation
The International Powerlifting Federation is an international governing body for the sport of powerlifting as recognized by the General Association of International Sports Federations as well as the International Olympic Committee via inclusion into the World Games.The IPF was founded in 1971, and...
and won five world bench press titles.
World titles
Henderson won five consecutive bench press world titles from the International Powerlifting FederationInternational Powerlifting Federation
The International Powerlifting Federation is an international governing body for the sport of powerlifting as recognized by the General Association of International Sports Federations as well as the International Olympic Committee via inclusion into the World Games.The IPF was founded in 1971, and...
in the 1990s:
- 1994 Järvenpää,
- 1995 Frydek-Mistek,
- 1996 SilkeborgSilkeborgSilkeborg is a city in central Denmark. Located in Silkeborg municipality in Jutland, the city has a population of 42,724 . The development of Silkeborg as a modern city may be traced to the foundation of the paper mill by Michael Drewsen on the Gudenaa in 1844...
, - 1997 Leduc,
- 1998 AmbergAmbergAmberg is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in the Upper Palatinate, roughly halfway between Regensburg and Bayreuth. Population: 44,756 .- History :...
,
Heaviest lift
Henderson is the current world record holder for heaviest drug tested raw bench press. Big James Henderson’s record setting lift was 711 lbs. and was performed on July 13, 1997 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during an IPF/USPF sanctioned event.Personal life
Henderson is a graduate of Mercer UniversityMercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
, where he holds a Bachelors degree in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He also attended Albany State University
Albany State University
Albany State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Albany, Georgia, United States. It is one of three HBCU's in the University System of Georgia.-History:-Establishment:...
where he played football from 1984 to 1986. His career as an offensive lineman ended when he blew out his knee.
In 1989 Henderson was convicted of drug trafficking and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He served 3 years at Rivers State Prison before being paroled and later pardoned in 1992. While at Rivers State he began reading the Bible and became a devoted born again Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. Now Henderson gives motivational speeches to groups such as students, business leaders, and prisoners. He currently tours the Georgia Prison System as a speaker for Heartbound Ministries. During his appearances he tells his story of how he became the bench press champion and performs feats of strength.