Henton was born in Bessemer, Alabama where he later attended Jess Lanier High School.
He was chosen Gulf South Conference Freshmen of the Year in 1982 while playing nose guard, before finishing his college career as outside linebacker.
[3] During his first season in Pittsburgh, he was voted as the Steelers Defensive Rookie of the Year and honored with the prestigious "Mean Joe Greene Award".
In 1991, Henton was selected by the Sacramento Surge becoming the first pick in the first round for the World League Of American Football (WLAF).
During the 1992 season, his former college coach, Chan Gailey, went into negotiations with the Surge to bring Henton back home to Birmingham where he finished his career as a professional football player.