04/19/24
April 04, 2008
Bengals release Henry: Concealed weapons, possession, DUI, providing alcohol to minors...while he hasn't had his day in court yet, the Bengals have had enough of their highest profile problem child.
I also found Chad Johnson's remarks noteworthy. His surprise and dismay at Henry's release are hopefully genuine. I would think that his negotiating leverage has just increased. I think releasing Henry is the right move. The Bengals have to consider re-building faith with their fans. Season ticket holders should be looked upon like investors. How much of this anti-social criminal behavior should they be expected to support?
posted by THX-1138 at 01:45 PM on April 04, 2008
Does this mean that the Bengals will withdraw their request to the NFL to allow their uniform numbers to match their mug shot numbers?
posted by Howard_T at 01:53 PM on April 04, 2008
This will end well.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:55 PM on April 04, 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen - your starting Wide Receiver for the Philidelphia Eagles!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:54 PM on April 04, 2008
From the article: Disgruntled star receiver Chad Johnson was stunned when told of Henry's release. "Are you sure? Man, they can't let him go. That dude is good. He's very, very good," Johnson said on 1050 ESPN New York. "We need him. Those are not easy shoes to fill, regardless of the trouble he has gotten into in the past," Johnson said. In the past, Chad? As in last Monday, when Chris Henry allegedly punched the teenager in the side of the head and broke his rear window with a beer bottle? Enough is enough with the Bengals (10 players arrested between April 2006 and June 2007) and I think that Johnson's me-first antics are a part of the problem.
posted by cjets at 03:11 PM on April 04, 2008
You know, it seems to be a trend lately among "superstar" athletes, with this type of behavior. I have two boys 7 and 8 who are sports fanatics, and when they see something like this on ESPN they have all kinds of questions. It saddens me as a father, and as a fan when someone with a gift, goes out and shows a lack of respect and judgment like this. Hopefully he can get his act together, and be a positive role model....
posted by 4ArmShiver at 03:31 PM on April 04, 2008
Johnson does have a point in that Chris Henry is a very talented wide reciever. However, the benefits of his talent do not outweigh the burden his consistant legal troubles put on the team and the orginization. The Bengals made the right move in letting him go.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:09 PM on April 04, 2008
With all these reports and lament over "omg, all athletes are spoiled brats," I have to wonder if there really is an increasing trend of law breaking, or if its just that the 24/7 news coverage is catching up with sports athletes and the public is simply more aware of what's going on?
posted by jmd82 at 05:07 PM on April 04, 2008
Imagine how Wilt Chamberlain would have faired in a world of twenty-four news.
posted by igottheblues at 06:08 PM on April 04, 2008
I have a 11 year boy who tells that that playing football makes a person stupid. Even though I played for 10 years, it is tough for me to disagree. Sadly.
posted by whodat at 02:09 AM on April 05, 2008
I think the Bengals did what they had to do. Henry is an amazing talent on the field, no question. If he had ever given himself the chance to play every day, I really think he would be among the elite in the NFL. I'm a Bengals fan and have been saying for a few years that he was the most gifted of the receivers on that team (no small accomplishment, looking at his teammates.) I think, without that talent, he would have been gone a long time ago. However, the Bengals suffered one publicity black eye after another because of this guy. It's not that any of these arrests are that outrageous in and of themselves, but their frequency is. The Browns, Lewis, and even the fans in Cincy were willing to write Henry's actions off as growing pains in the hopes that they would cease, but they were mistaken. I really hate to consider someone I've never met stupid, but when it walks and quacks like a duck... Henry had to be aware of the situation with Chad Johnson, I'm sure he owns a television, computer, or radio. All he has to do is walk the straight and narrow for a while and he's in the #1 or #2 receiver position on a pass-happy offense with a very talented QB. He would put up pro bowl numbers for years to come regardless of the team's record. He even got a wake-up call a few weeks ago with the whole expired plates citation, but seemingly ignored it. When is the illusion of invincibility going to dissappear for him? Henry isn't a victim of 24/7 news coverage, and it's unfair to athletes like Wilt Chamberlain to compare the two. Wilt (arguably) had questionable morals, Henry seems to be devoid of judgement.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:23 AM on April 05, 2008
What's the betting Henry will be wearing a Cowboy uni next year...?
posted by Goyoucolts at 11:09 AM on April 06, 2008
I really hate to consider someone I've never met stupid I don't see anything wrong with considering him stupid. What else has he done recently to make anyone think differently? Just because he has some skills to run and catch a football doesn't mean he's not a criminal. The guy just hasn't shown an ability to live according to laws set by society. If all NFL teams are smart (something I seriously doubt), they'll steer clear of the guy, but I'm betting sooner rather than later he'll get picked up (provided he's not behind bars).
posted by dyams at 11:24 AM on April 06, 2008
Sad thing is I'm sure some team will pick him up and wait for him to be done being suspended (you just know he'll be sitting out at least half a season if he's allowed to play again at all). He was great when on the field. Frustrating that he was too dumb to constrain himself.
posted by srw12 at 09:43 AM on April 07, 2008
Looks like the Cincinnati Bengals are finally cleaning house. Running back Quincy Wilson has also been waived. Wilson was the 10th Bengals player arrested in a 14-month span.
posted by irunfromclones at 04:10 PM on April 08, 2008
Why don't the Bengals just hire some players from jail. It seems like that is what they're doing anyway. Who wants to play for this team, Ocho Cinco should just move somewhere else. The only player on that team that plays really hard is TJ Housh. Carson is a decent player too but they need some superstar players on D to make the team credible.
posted by Scars at 10:49 PM on April 09, 2008
Now he can focus on breaking laws full-time.