Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

Chris Henry was given chance after chance with the Cincinnati Bengals. The team stuck with him when he encountered legal trouble early in his career...

End of the Line?: Chris Henry Arrested, Released by Cincinnati Bengals

by Alex Kennedy (Columnist)

35

4706 reads

Sports

April 03, 2008


Chris Henry was given chance after chance with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team stuck with him when he encountered legal trouble early in his career. He remained a Bengal after Roger Goodell imposed an eight-game suspension on the wide receiver last season.

He was a constant distraction to the team and had been involved in all kinds of legal issues; from aggravated assault with a firearm to providing alcohol to three underage females in a hotel room.

It wasn't until Thursday, when Henry was arrested for assault and criminal damaging charges, that the Bengals finally gave up.

The Louisiana native was released by the team shortly after he surrendered to police, who had a warrant for his arrest. On Wednesday, the former Bengal was accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and then throwing a beer bottle at the man's car, breaking the back passenger window.

Bengals' president Mike Brown released a statement saying, "Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated. We tried to help a young man. But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."

Since being drafted in 2005, Henry has had five run-ins with the law. While several of these incidents have been dropped, they were still reported by the media and put the Bengals in a bad light.

Right now, a lot of attention has been put on Pacman Jones, who may be a member of the Dallas Cowboys come September. But what about his former teammate at West Virginia University? Will any team take a chance and sign Chris Henry?

If you don't look at his off-field troubles, he is a remarkable athlete with an upside.

He averaged more than 20 yards per catch in college, had the second most receiving touchdowns in school history with 22, as well as the second most receiving yards in a season with 1,006.

But even his college career ended on an unpleasant note.

He was kicked off the team in 2004 by head coach Rich Rodriguez for personal conduct, but the Bengals still decided to select him in the third round of the 2005 draft.

He averaged 16.8 yards per catch in his second season with Cincinnati and finished the year with 605 yards and nine touchdown receptions in only 11 games. He excelled as a slot receiver alongside Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

But is he worth it?

This is a man who has received multiple warnings and punishments, yet he continues to break the law. At what point do general managers just stop trying to correct a player's behavior?

The Cowboys took defensive lineman Tank Johnson, who was also suspended for eight games last season, under their wing, and he hasn't had any problems since. But the difference with Johnson was that he cared enough to change and let it be known he was done causing trouble.

At this point, you have to question whether Henry cares enough to stay out of trouble. He knew he was on thin ice, yet, he still assaulted a man. Would someone who desperately wants to remain in the league do this? I don't think so.

Whether he'll change and get another chance remains to be seen. In the past, Henry's future has been in his hands and whether he could stay out of trouble.

Now, his career is in the hands of general managers across the league who must decide whether he deserves yet another chance with a new team.

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

35 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Damn, what's this guy's problem. I don't blame the Bengals one bit. Even if he is a talented player, that kind of person isn't a good influence for the rest of the team.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Cayce Mautino about 1 year ago

    What are they putting in the water from West Virginia. Between Henry and Pacman I dont know who is worse.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    Thanks for the comments.

    I agree, it's not the Bengals fault at all. In fact, I give them credit for sticking with him for so long.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Good bye and good riddance to one of the stupidest people on earth. Now I just hope he takes Chad "all yards and no scores" Johnson with him. I'll take my chances with Palmer to Houshmandzedah and Utecht.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  5. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    $5 says the Bengals draft a wide receiver this year. :)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  6. tom fraley about 1 year ago

    Henry was afraid to take a hit, wanted all the glory with huge touchdown passes

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    He's a nut. I'm surprised he didn't get tossed away sooner.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  8. Clay Noble about 1 year ago

    It is so funny that someone who was once compared to the likes of Randy Moss be so inmature. It makes me think he has a substance abuse problem along with huge anger issues. Also I heard that he went to the same college as Pac Man Jones. Im not sure if you put that in your article or not. Now there old coach is in Michigan(good luck Michigan fans). Thnx for the article I enjoyed it.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

      Thanks a lot for the comment. I did mention that he was a college teammate of Pacman Jones in paragraph eight. I agree with what you're saying about substance abuse and anger issues. He has been suspended for several games throughout his career for violating the substance abuse policy. His behavior is just out of control and drugs and temper are the only things I can imagine that would make someone consistently act so poorly.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  9. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Antonio Chatman at the slot for Cincinnati, with two disgruntled receivers. Yeah, the Bengals are looking nice in their WR situation.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    For someone to have all this talent he has to be the one who gets locked up all the time.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

      Funny you say that. The original title of this article was going to be Chris Henry: What a Waste of Talent but then I went for the more professional approach.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  11. John Fennelly about 1 year ago

    What were they waiting for.....

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  12. Jeremy Scott about 1 year ago

    Why couldn't the Titans have done this... and released Pac Man after any one of his 11 brushes with the law? I applaud the Bengals, for sticking by him and trying desperately to help for so long, and for realizing when enough was enough.

    Hope he figures out a way to straighten things out.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Woo Alex! Very nicely put. Drugs are bad, mmkay? :)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    Haha, thanks for the comments guys.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  15. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    I keep seeing blog responses saying teh Patriot's have already signed Henry.
    Has to be a rumour, I can't find anything online.

    Heard anything?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  1. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    I haven't heard anything but it makes sense. The Patriots have picked up some trouble making players in the past such as Corey Dillon and most recently, Randy Moss. I wouldn't be surprised if they added him because they need a slot receiver since Donte Stallworth left. Moss and Welker would be similar to Johnson and Houshmandzadeh. I'll keep everyone updated if I hear anything.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. clay grenwelge about 1 year ago

    the only person on earth dumber than this asshole is jerry jones so i guess he will be a cowboy also,damn,will it ever end,no i guess not, as long as players are drafted solely on athletic ability and no premium is placed on character.we are witnessing ghetto ball in the nfl now because that where most of the athletic players are coming from,common sense is not quite so common anymore...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    Chris Henry, PacMan Jones, and Tank Johnson? The Dallas Cowboys just need Adam Sandler and their Longest Yard sequel would be complete!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. clay grenwelge about 1 year ago

    don't forget t.o.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  5. Nate Deleon about 1 year ago

    What a shame! A very talented player but always gets in trouble. You just don't realize how good you have it until you lose it. It is a privilege to be in the NFL and this guy just threw it all away.

    What is it with wide receivers?! T.O., Chad Johnson, Chris Henry....just shut up!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  6. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    Thanks for the comment, Nate.

    UPDATE: Chris Henry was released from jail today after posting bond. He has an electronic bracelet that he must wear but he is saying that this is a case of mistaken identity and that he didn't do anything wrong. He also claims to have witnesses that show he was at a party in an apartment complex the time of the alleged crime. Ah, the life of a Cincinnati Bengal.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. Michael Whittenberg about 1 year ago

    If Goodell doesn't suspend him, then I wouldn't be shocked if New England picked him up.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  8. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Another issue for Goodell, as if Pacman wasn't enough, another set of circumstances to plead the case but Bengals that takes a stand...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  9. XXX XXX about 1 year ago

    Another issue for Goodell, as if Pacman wasn't enough, another set of circumstances to plead the case but Bengals that takes a stand...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    I wonder if Henry will still receive a suspension from the NFL even though he's a free agent. That could hurt his chances of getting signed by a new squad.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  11. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    well see ya next year henry your about to be suspended another year lmao

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  12. MJ Kasprzak about 1 year ago

    Thanks for doing this article. I was going to applaud the Bengals for cutting him because I was just calling for this kind of action in my article on athletes with entitlement issues, but there was too much hockey to cover!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. Jacob Bridges about 1 year ago

    This is a shame. I cannot believe how someone who has the opportunity to make millions of dollars would give it up for some bar fight. Does he realize how many of us out there would kill to be in his shoes? What a disgrace to the Cincinnati Bengals. This should have happened long ago. Just another case of a rich, spoiled athlete thinking he is above the law.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. Alex Kennedy about 1 year ago

    According to Yahoo.com, The Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday signed free agent wide receiver Doug Gabriel to a one-year contract.

    Financial terms were not disclosed.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.