We make a lot of jokes around here at WDR about Mike Brown Being the "redeemer" and taking chances on players with "character issues." I can't help but think that, in this situation, Brown's efforts worked or were working. By giving Chris Henry a 2nd or 3rd chance, Brown allowed him to mature and gave him the structure and responsibility he needed to be a successful NFL player and, more importantly, a successful young man. It seemed to be working. We saw signs of growth over the past year or two.
Sadly, once Henry was injured, and could not participate in his structured environment, something went wrong. Now, I don't know the details, and I understand this could be a freak accident. I'm not saying this couldn't have happened despite his injury. However, if Chris Henry wasn't injured and if he wasn't suddenly out of the system that kept him accountable, would this have happened? Just something to think about.
Please, comment on your favorite Chris Henry moments as a Bengal. The kid had immense talent and came up with some big plays during his stint in stripes. Further, how will the Bengals react to this as they approach San Diego. This has undoubtedly been an emotionally draining season for the team and fans.
R.I.P. Slim, you'll be missed.
I will always think of his catch on the first passing play in the '05 playoffs vs. the Steelers. The excitement in the room was unmatched until the cameras panned back to Palmer on the ground. He used to always come in and eat at the Bahama Breeze in Cincy while I worked there.Henry always ordered hot wings. Unfortunately, I never had the courage to speak to him. Tragic ending to a troubled life that was just beginning to turn around.
Posted by: Sean Hickey | December 17, 2009 at 11:51 AM
everyones favorites gotta be that '05 steelers play.. despite carson getting injured, that play symbolizes what chris henry was all about. we're gonna miss him..
Posted by: Jeremy | December 17, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Obviously, like most people, I did not know Chris Henry, aside from his play on Sundays and what I saw from the media. Mike Brown said that it seemed Slim was finally "...running to the light..." in his life; I couldn't agree more, it seemed (from the outside perspective) as he had seen the light and was moving forward. God bless his family and may all those truly affected by this tragedy find the strength to keep moving forward.
God's Love, Chris...you will be missed
Posted by: Broken Hippo | December 17, 2009 at 12:02 PM
RIP Slim.....you will be missed more then you ever knew...
Posted by: RandomDude | December 17, 2009 at 12:02 PM
God Damn It!... just god damn it....
Posted by: guttersnake | December 17, 2009 at 12:21 PM
R.I.P. Chris. Our thoughts will be with his family.
Let's go out and win one for Slim.
Posted by: The Sontag | December 17, 2009 at 12:28 PM
The '05 playoff bomb represents this franchise in my mind: We got a tiny split-second of elation from one great play, followed by massive bummer as both Palmer and Henry got hurt.
I was on the fence about his being given chance after chance as far as the team goes, but you gotta root for a kid to get his life together regardless of football. Maybe it was working but we'll never know now.
He was just a kid. 26 years old is far too young to die. Rest in peace, Slim.
Posted by: FeedMikeBrownToAquaBengal | December 17, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I'll miss his exuberation upon scoring a touchdown, typically launching the ball up in the air.
RIP Slim 15
Posted by: bob saratoga | December 17, 2009 at 12:35 PM
i relate to each and every one of these comments. from my initial, 'god damn it...just god damn it'...to the immediate image of him streaking down the sideline in the '05 wildcard - all the pent-up frustration that that one play allowed us explode outward only to then be knocked down by the most sicking backdraft imaginable...but my favorite #15 memory is like one of the guys said above - when i think of slim, i think of him just launching the ball sky high after a td, tight spiral, big little kid shit eating grin on his face. i know i've been on this site too many times being belligerent to people who bad-mouthed chris and the decision to bring him back. don't know why i got so invested in him like that, but i'm sorry for being a real dick about it to all the other comrades and i send out hope for better things for slim and his kids. who dey.
Posted by: votasi | December 17, 2009 at 01:03 PM
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. Such a weird and sad life, and such an odd, and unique season so far.
RIP Slim.
Posted by: TJanns | December 17, 2009 at 01:04 PM
I remember being at the Arizona game in 2007, Slim's first game at PBS after his suspension. The energy and emotion he showed when the crowd cheered after his first catch proved to me that he was a good guy.
Posted by: Neil | December 17, 2009 at 01:11 PM
The touchdown catch he had against SF in that Saturday night game a few years ago sticks out to me. Chris had so much potential and it seemed at any moment he would break out.
RIP 15
Posted by: Mike | December 17, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Like so many others, it was the bomb in the '05 playoffs. Unlike most others, I was sitting in a Steelers bar in western Pennsylvania when it happened. As the only guy in a Bengals jersey, it was like that Jets/Dolphins commercial they played a couple years back for the NFL, because I was up on my feet, cheering and drawing the ire of the black-and-gold flock around me. However, their deflated sighs quickly turned to elated cheers when the camera panned back to find Palmer injured. Those cheers, which were louder and happier than at the outcome of the game (and, I'd wager, louder than even when the Super Bowl was over that year), were the deciding factor for me that no matter how bad Cincinnati may continue to be, no matter how easy (in theory) it would be to switch to the "home" team, I would never, could never, be a Steelers fan. To be so jubilant at what could've been a career-ending injury is so senseless and so base that I can't even being to imagine myself doing it.
That said, I'd guarantee that some of those same fans, hell, most of those same fans, hear the news about Henry today and it brings a smile to their face, because Western Pennsylvania is filled with small-minded bigots who are very loyal to their Stillers.
I'll admit to having been against Henry being brought back to the team, but not because of Henry himself, but because it signified Mike Brown effectively pulling rank on Marvin Lewis, and I was afraid that it would mean Marvin losing the locker room. I'm happy today to admit that I was wrong, and that Mike Brown actually made a good decision.
So long, Uno Cinco, and godbless.
Posted by: Wyatt | December 17, 2009 at 01:24 PM
The good die young, i guess he was finally elgible for that. I wish the details regarding how this came about would surface. At this point i feel like this screams man slaughter; unless she was fleeing the residence in fear, maybe because he was beating on her. Who knows? All i know is she better have a really good explantion, or may god help her answer to her 3 childeren why daddy is not going to be there to raise them.
Regardless this is a tragic loss too a man i feel had finally turned the corner.
RIP Chris
I don't know who im going to throw the ball to in Madden now. It will be interesting to see how this team response on the field, and whether "the baller" Simpson can step up and play a role.
Posted by: drew | December 17, 2009 at 01:30 PM
I can't recall any one play by Chris Henry that stands out to me...there's just so many memories of him just extending, reaching for the pass, grabbing it, sometimes one-handed, hauling it in...he was all about it on the field.
I definitely agree with Who Che's blog entry here: being out of the support-loop, i.e. with the injury, did put him at greater risk, given his situation.
It's just tragic all around.
I can't believe he's gone.
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 17, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Cincinnati Bengals #15 Chris Henry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-T5vgGPLSE
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 17, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Chris Henry, he played the game like a kid who loved it. The smile on his face used to piss off my father in law when he would make a great play against the Browns. I remember one year my inlaw was bitching about why do you keep bringing the guy back he's no good, then like it was on cue Henry broke into the open on a quick slant broke 3 tackles and ran for like 50 yards. I stood up and screamed "I don't care what he did if he makes playes like that I'll take him any day." I'm glad to read that he matured to the point he did. I can only think of his fiance and kids and I hope they are taken care of.
R.I.P. Slim
Posted by: JoseOle | December 17, 2009 at 01:46 PM
To echo the sentiments of the post "what if he hadn't broken his arm" - it seems tragic that his speed contributed to his death. If he had been slower maybe he wouldn't have been able to chase after her, wouldn't have caught up to the truck, wouldn't have been able to fall out.
Posted by: Chaz | December 17, 2009 at 01:52 PM
This is tragic and surreal. How terrible.
Posted by: Rich | December 17, 2009 at 02:21 PM
The last Bengals game i attended was the Oct 22, 2006 game vs. the Carolina Panthers. I had pretty good seats that day and the Bengals won the game. Seated 4 rows behind me was Chris Henry, his then g/f and at least 2 children. He was in the middle of yet another suspension, but he came out to the stadium with his family and cheered for the Bengals.
The "fans" in our section were anything but supportive. They yelled and jeered him the entire game, but he kept his mouth shut except to cheer on the team on every big play.
My impression of Chris Henry changed that day. I was actually sad when the Bengals ended up cutting him b/c i had heard him cheering for the team even when he wasn't getting a paycheck from them. I was excited when they resigned him, even though i am no fan of Mike Brown, b/c i knew he had potential for a great future as a Bengal.
Today i am sad. I can still hear Chris Henry cheering for the Bengals from the 30th row. I cheer for the Bengals each and every week. Most of the time, we lose. Todays loss was huge.
Posted by: Derek | December 17, 2009 at 03:00 PM
R.i.P Chris :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/ikitsol/Chrisfamily.jpg
Posted by: sol | December 17, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Seconding and thirding those who mention the WC playoff catch--it seemed very fitting that he suffered a bad injury on the play as well, though no one remembers it b/c CP was hurt as well. Palmer was his biggest supporter, and always had his back. I think back to a play against the Falcons in '07, down by 9 or 10 late 4th quarter, the only hope a long pass to get back in it, and sure enough, Palmer hit Henry for about 60 yards. He smoked right past two secondary dudes like they were standing still. We lost, but I'll never forget Dick Stockton's call as he screamed "Touchdown!"--it was just such an electrifying play.
There should have been more like it from Chris, but alas.
Rob
Posted by: Robwein | December 17, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Star crossed life.
Posted by: Sly Vramavomovich | December 17, 2009 at 04:27 PM
No favorites from me, no concentration at work, I am WAY too affected by this tradegy, mourning period will begin tonight at 830PM. RIP Slim, We'll all miss you.
Posted by: CurseofBoJackson | December 17, 2009 at 05:41 PM
This made the best of the blogs on realclearsports.com
http://www.realclearsports.com/
Posted by: rich | December 17, 2009 at 06:25 PM
I think another reason this makes me so sad is that I've been thru the
'upset-the-girlfriend-and-then-climb-on-the-vehicle-to-try-to-stop-her-from-leaving' thing...
...but I didn't die for it...
...the cops showed up, and one of them said to me "It's not worth it..."
What I was doing, and what that cop said, stuck with me, and I did let her go some time after that...
...sometimes I wish I wouldn't have listened to that cop
Godspeed, #15 Chris Henry
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 17, 2009 at 07:01 PM
launching the ball in the air after scoring a td. God I loved when he did that, it pissed off the dback's who tried to cover him so much. He was the most talented receiver on the team ( more than Chad), its sad he couldn't keep it together long enough to break out. He will be missed so much, and to the true Bengals fans, will never be forgotten.
Posted by: JMo | December 17, 2009 at 07:41 PM
I'll always remember his smile after any big catch. He always had fun out there. It was like he knew they couldn't cover him. Especially when we had T.J.
RIP Slim. Thanks for the excitement and memories.
Posted by: Funk | December 17, 2009 at 08:07 PM
So many times it looked like Palmer was throwing a Hail Mary, but there was 15 catching it in full stride for a huge gain or TD. I always said he needs to associate with a different crowd. Now that he's done that, he's gone.
God bless you, Chris. You are missed.
Posted by: concretefish | December 17, 2009 at 08:36 PM
This was a freak accident and didn't have anything to do with what he has over come in the past. Would this have happened if he hadn't broke his wrist? Well no because he would have been in Cincy. But being in Charlotte with his soon to be wife and her family was comfortable for him and was where he wanted to be.
RIP Slim I will miss watching you and rooting for you. Yes you made it hard at times to root for but we were all rooting for you and all of your talent.
Posted by: Matt | December 17, 2009 at 08:48 PM
gotta be the first offensive play in the '05 playoffs. i have never screamed so loud in. my. life. i cant come up with a scenario where i would be more jacked up... maybe MFB stepping aside and getting me back in PBS... back to Slim- bizarre ending to a guy who put himself in a lot of bad situations. god bless.
Posted by: artist formerly known as Section 101 | December 17, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Henry getting injured and being out for the season was enough hardship on him, his family and Bengal fans. We all knew where Henry was going with his life and that was in the right direction. This is just so sad. I will never forget this interesting guy that so many of us were rooting for.
Too young. We all wish things were different. Such a shame the did not start Henry mid season. Seems like he was even more dedicated to the team than we even knew. RIP SLIM #15.
SLIM will be looking down on the Bengals and probably helping them get even further. #15 SLIM Prayers for you and your family.
Posted by: Zester McEwan | December 17, 2009 at 09:00 PM
There's so many things and emotions that are evoked when thinking of Chris Henry. I remember being stoked that they stole him in the 2005 draft. I also remember getting irritated that he was taking away playing time from Kelley Washington. I remember seeing him as a rookie in '05 and seeing what a freak he was, athletically. I will never forget the playoff catch. I then remember seeing this guy make almost many mistakes in life as big plays on the field.
I vividly remember everything I saw and heard about Chris Henry this season--beginning with Hard Knocks and how they chronicled his turn-around. I remember how insane of a preaseason he had. I remember that I was shocked that he was our fourth receiver this year and how I felt that this guy was at least a #2, if not #1 WR on 90% of th other teams in the NFL.
Perhaps the things I'll remember most about Chris are the one handed-ridiculous catch against the Ravens early this season. Hardly anyone could have made that catch as there was a PI call against the defender as he made the catch. The other things I'll remember is that he is being remembered at how he was a guy who turned his life around. I'll remember how I have felt all day today--sad and sick. I think I'll mostly remember how I immediately related this to the Nick Adenhart (LA Angels pitcher who died in a car crash) tragedy. I hope this team will play inspired, strong football as they did after Vikki Zimmer's death.
I am going to the San Diego game this Sunday and will either be making shirts and/or a sign as a dedication to Slim. Thanks for the memories, 15.
Posted by: TheCarlPickensClause | December 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
RIP Chris Henry, God bless from all football fans from the UK & rest of the world. Although he was not particularly well know here in the UK, many true football fans & certainly all Bengal fans recognised his talent. Such a tragic waste that it will never be fulfilled.
Posted by: DorsetBengal07 | December 18, 2009 at 06:28 AM
CarlPickensClause,
Keep us updated on the shirts. It would be a nice gesture if the proceeds would go to a fund for his kids if they ever such a fund. Show people that WDR isn't just for Mike Brown bashing but also for a good cause.
The two images I will remember Henry by are the shit eating grin after TD's and the family picture from the article two months ago. I may have not liked it when Mikey undercut ML to bring him back but I was pulling for Slim to prove us wrong. RIP Chris.
Posted by: J.Grunz | December 18, 2009 at 08:27 AM
CarlPickensClause...
I'm gonna be in SD also... If you come up with an extra sign, please let me know. Would love to hold it high. Email me.
Posted by: VegasKev | December 18, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Can't ever forget the '05 playoff game catch, the kid could fly down the field.
Such a shame to see him finally start to get his life together and have it end that suddenly.
I have to admit, I was not a big fan of MB resigning him, but after seeing him put the effort in to getting his act together, I was a convert.
If only he hadn't broken his arm in the Ravens game...
My deepest condolences to his children and family. A sad day as a lifelong Bengals fan.
We will miss you Slim. :-(
¡Viva!
Posted by: GregC78&69 | December 18, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Rip slim I will always miss and love u dearly. U are in a better place and I will make sure that ugly hefier goes to jail for killing u. I love u baby and I will see u in heaven boo!
Posted by: anonymous | June 22, 2012 at 12:42 PM