Losing Henry: Chad Ochocinco Drops Pride, Cries; Bengals Season Rolls On

It’s times like these when people realize that life is about a lot more than what occurs in sports.

Granted, Chris Henry had his share of issues off the field of play, but his passing is still a tragic event and has shaken the Cincinnati Bengals football team to the very core.

When you have obvious egocentric guys like Chad Ochocinco on your team, and even he is drying tears from his eyes while donning Henry’s jersey at a practice following his tragic death, that hits home.

In fact, the latest news hitting the wire is that Ochocinco even plans to wear Henry’s No. 15 jersey on Sunday (regardless of whether he gets fined).

My big question on the NFL possibly fining Ochocinco is this: will the charge come against the receiver for the right reason?

I’m pretty sure Ochocinco wearing No. 15 on Sunday would be a very humble sign and honor, especially coming from someone like him (the latest news is that the NFL Players Association will be paying for the fine).

However, I digress.

Unfortunately, the latest sports news has been anything but filled with Happy Holiday spirits; instead, we’ve witnessed a disastrous fall from grace and looming divorce, and now the death of a young athlete who appeared to be turning his life around.

December’s news has been as cold as the weather outside, and Henry’s passing goes right along with that.

Just the day before Henry’s fall from the back of his fiancee’s pickup truck, the two of them were looking at wedding rings and were planning on having a happy family life together.

Then, the news we’ve all heard: an argument that leads to Henry jumping in the back of his fiancee’s truck and eventually falling out the back before being taken to a local hospital and dying the next day.

Just 26 years old, Henry was way too young to go; but as many of us already know, that’s life and it’s something we don’t have control over.

Now, the Bengals must try their hardest to get regrouped and refocused on playing football, and dedicating the remainder of the season to Henry (along with an assistant coach’s wife who also died earlier this season).

The Bengals have been hit with more than their share of hard times this year, and it’s hard not to throw support their way as the team aims to continue to focus on playing football.

Merry Christmas, Cincinnati Bengals; may 2010 be a blessing to your entire team!

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]