Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has passed away after falling from the back of a pickup truck in Charlotte, North Carolina and suffering serious head injuries. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, he died at 6:26 a.m. Thursday at the age of 26.
According to The Charlotte Observer, Henry was part of a domestic situation with his fiancée, Loleini Tonga, and leaped into the bed of the pickup truck after she drove away from her parent’s house. At some point, he fell out and was found on the road about a half-mile from the house. He was being treated at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. As of late-Thursday morning, police claimed no charges have been made in the case.
"We ask that you keep Chris' family—especially the young children he leaves behind—in your prayers," Henry's agents, Andy Simms and Dave Lee, said in a statement. "It is tragic when a life is taken so young. He was a man just realizing his potential, not just in football, but in life."
While he built a reputation early in his career as a player with numerous incidents with the law, Henry had not only a new player, but a new man over the last couple of months. He entered training camp with a new work ethic and more focused as he seemed to be ready for a fresh start in his career while leaving his past issues behind. His new ethics were so impressive, even Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer took notice.
“He’s had an offseason like no other; he’s worked here every single day,” Palmer said back in May. “He has a great attitude. I’m just really proud of the guy. I’m happy for him. He’s at a good place in his life, a good place for his family. He’s showed up to work here and he will all year long. There’s not a doubt about that.”
After dealing with a thigh injury all year, Henry's 2009 season was cut short after fracturing his forearm in a Week Nine win over the Baltimore Ravens. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
In a press conference this morning, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis discussed the impact Henry had on the team and their fondest memories of No. 15.
Brown mentioned his best memory of Henry came in a conversation between the two of them at a Christmas party a few years ago where he realized how intriguing of a man he was. On the field, he will be remembered for his famous 66-yard reception from Palmer on the second play in the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 and the love he showed for his kids on the sidelines after practices.
Lewis said he will always remember Henry on the first day of training camp as a rookie when he caught a deep pass from Palmer. He immediately turned to the wide receivers coach and said "we need to keep him."
The 6'4" Henry will always be remembered for more than just being one of the best deep threats in Bengals history. He was a loving father who cared deeply about his three children—all who were being raised with Tonga—and as a valuable teammate.
In the eight games Henry played in before his injury, he was averaging 19.7 yards-per-catch. He entered the NFL in 2005 after attending West Virginia and had an immediate impact for Cincinnati his first two seasons in the league—catching 67 receptions for 1,027 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Bengals travel to San Diego on Sunday to take on the Chargers and look to clinch their first AFC North title since 2005. Cincinnati can clinch the division with a win or a loss by the Baltimore Ravens.
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