Chris Henry: Another Young, Talented Black Man Who Didn’t Have to Die

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported early Dec. 17 that 26-year old Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has died after sustaining critical injuries during a domestic dispute that occurred on Dec. 16 between he and his fiancée, Loleini Tonga. Reports indicate that a woman drove from Henry’s home and that Henry jumped onto the bed of the truck. Henry fell from the truck about six-tenths of a mile from his home and sustained grave injuries.

The receiver had played for the Bengals for five seasons before being placed on injured reserve this season as he recuperated from a broken arm.

Henry often had disciplinary and legal troubles in college and early in his pro career. He was ejected from a game and suspended for another; where former West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez told him that he was an embarrassment to himself and the program. His reputation led to the Bengals being the only NFL team to bring him in for a pre-draft visit in 2005. Arrested five times in his first three years in the NFL, Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard referred to Henry as “a one man crime wave.” The Bengals released Henry that day.

Henry was given a second chance with the Bengals and worked hard to become an elite receiver again. He put his career back on track and focused more on his fiancée and family. Even after his injury, Henry seemed upbeat as the Bengals cruised to their best record in four seasons. Henry has acknowledged that his fiancée helped turn his life around. He also tattooed the word “Blessed” over his ear before the start of the 2009 season. “I kind of felt like I dug myself out of the hole and started doing the right things,” Henry said in an interview with The Associated Press as training camp opened. “People say, ‘How you feeling now Chris? You doing all right?’ I just tell them I’m blessed. That’s why I got [the tattoo].”

Tonga’s MySpace page identifies her as “Mrs. C. Henry” and has a picture of her next to a person who appears to be Henry. She also has a post from Tuesday that talks about buying wedding rings. A neighbor said Wednesday that the Tonga family owns the home where police say the incident began. Charlotte is home to his fiancée’s parents. Police have not filed charges.

Henry was a young man who had shown poor judgment but seemed to genuinely be working towards finding himself. Sadly, that journey was cut short in one last act of recklessness. He’s yet another example of a gifted young man whose poor choices cost him dearly. Money and fame weren’t enough to chase away Chris Henry’s demons, and his tragic death should remind everyone that these young men still need guidance, mentorship and love — even after they’ve become millionaires.

–todd williams
– todd williams