Chris Henry: Too Young with Lots of Promise

Reports all morning are that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has passed away this morning at 6:36. The news comes one day after he and his fiancé were involved in a domestic dispute. Visiting the Charlotte area where his fiancés parents live, Henry’s fiancé started to drive in a pick-up truck when Henry jumped into the bed of the truck. About a half mile from the home, Henry was found in the road and rushed to the hospital. It is not known exactly what injuries Chris was suffering from, but reports are that it was a “very serious head injury.” At this point, all that’s known is that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are reporting that Henry “came out of the back of the vehicle” at some point during the dispute. Henry, who was 26, was in the final year of a two-year contract with the Bengals. He has been on the Injured Reserve List since November 8th when he broke his forearm, requiring season-ending surgery.

Henry, who was drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft has dealt with on and off the field issues, as he has been arrested a total of five times since December of ’05. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Henry on two different occasions, and his fifth arrest led to his departure from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007. Owner Mike Brown did give him a second chance, as since his return, Henry has done nothing but work his butt off and prove that he can be a deep threat for Carson Palmer. Since his fifth arrest, Henry has stayed out of trouble and straightened his life out. In an on-air interview/segment with Cincinnati Radio Personality Lance McAlister, Henry stated that without his fiancés help he would not be where he is. McCalister stated that after the interview, when Henry walked out, he was “surprised at the improvements and strides he has made to be a better person and right the ship.”

Henry, although his season was cut short, had 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. During the season, Henry was the Bengals main deep threat, as his longest catch of the year was 73 yards. He also recorded 11 first downs. It remains to be seen how the Bengals will improve the passing game without Henry, as since his departure it has been very dismal. It is worth noting that since he changed his life around, he had garnered a lot of popularity with the fans in Cincinnati.