|
The Cincinnati Bengals apparently are tired of Chris Henry’s off-field antics. The Bengals released Henry on Thursday, one day after the talented but troubled wide receiver was arrested for the fifth time since 2005. Henry, 24, will appear in court Thursday after allegedly punching an 18-year-old man in the head and throwing a beer bottle at his car three days ago. Hamilton County Court documents say that both the victim, Gregory Meyer, and witnesses identified Henry as the attacker. The latest run-in with the law evidently was too much for the Bengals, who issued a statement announcing Henry’s release. “Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals,” team president Mike Brown said. “His conduct can no longer be tolerated. The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career.”
Henry missed Cincinnati’s first eight games last season after being suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for repeated violations of the league’s code of conduct. Henry has been the biggest headache on a Bengals team which was an embarrassment to the NFL between 2005-07. He was arrested for a variety of offenses, including marijuana possession, DUI and carrying a concealed firearm. Prior to Wednesday’s arrest, Henry’s most recent legal transgression occurred in January 2007, when he pleaded guilty to allowing three minors to drink alcohol in his hotel room the previous spring. “We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL,” Brown said in Thursday’s statement. “We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time we tried to help a young man. But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team.” Eight other members of the Bengals also were arrested during a nine-month stretch in 2006, prompting Goodell to address the team in October of that year. Henry also was suspended two games during the 2006 campaign for violating the league’s substance abuse and conduct policies. Henry avoided jail time while resolving his first two criminal cases, pleading guilty to marijuana possession in December 2005 and completing a drug rehabilitation program. He also pleaded guilty in September 2006 to a concealed weapon charge and received 100 hours of community service. The 6-4 Henry has 21 receptions for 343 yards and two touchdowns after returning from last year’s suspension. He tied for the team lead with nine touchdown catches in 2006, making 36 receptions for 605 yards. A 2005 third-round pick out of West Virginia, Henry dropped in the draft due to character issues Yahoo.com http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txbengalshenry&prov=st&type=lgns
|
