Chris Henry dead? Sadly, yes.
Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Chris Henry died this morning at 6:36 AM EST after sustaining injuries suffered after he fell from a moving pickup truck driven by his fiancee fiancee Loleini Tonga yesterday. Before I continue, Henry's fall was reportedly not her fault even though they had been arguing; she was questioned and released by police without being taken into custody Wednesday.
Much has been written about his less-than-stellar off-the-field past, much of it the product of a misguided young man. But the Bengals really hung in there with him, as did many in the NFL including former Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Michael Irvin, who must be totally devastated by this development. Irvin was personally involved in helping Henry.
We love people who overcome personal demons and rise to the level of success they so richly deserve. Chris Henry was one of those people. What bothers me is that my prayer that Henry make it wasn't answered, which can only mean God has a better place for him. I'll just have to accept that.
Folks, when you've attended or have been informed of, three funerals and memorials of friends and relatives in two years, it impacts you. That's what I've been through - two this year alone and one within 2 weeks. The latest was Jerry Foster, a friend and a long-time patron of The Alley in Austin,Tx. where I go and sing (or try to), who died in his home last week; his memorial was Sunday. I got the call about Jerry as I was boarding the plane from Atlanta to Chicago for a DVD signing.
Life is not promised to us and we meet or at least see so many people, good people, along this journey, that it's hard to see them go. I will miss Chris Henry, both for his football skill and for his promising future. I will miss Jerry Foster singing at The Alley, using his PDA to read the lyrics of a song he picked out. I'll miss kidding him about his beloved Minnesota Vikings, and talking about their quarterback, Brett Farve.
A sad day of a terrible week.
