Then, Bengals owner Brown who refers to himself as "a redeemer" changed his mind and gave him another chance. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Henry was also an organ donor, and several of his organs, including his heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pancreas were all donated. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Henry jumped into the truck's bed. display: none; "He walked past my locker every day to shake my hand as I said, 'Good morning,' and every day he said, 'What's up, cuz,"' Palmer said. It was a jolt to Henry, who had dreamed of an NFL career since high school, when he got the NFL logo tattooed on the back of his right hand. Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege Henry seemed determined to stay out of trouble. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry died Thursday, a day after falling off a truck during a domestic dispute with his fiancee, a tragedy Bengals owner Mike Brown said "cut him down" just as. Henry, who was awide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals,died in December after falling from his fiance's pick-up truck. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Cincinnati's four preseason games. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Marvin Lewis delivered eulogies. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Hang onto those memories. Researchers: WR Henry died with brain damage, The triumph of Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors in Creed III, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Judge OK's some Flores claims vs. NFL for court, More PGA Tour changes: No cuts, smaller fields, No. "It's not true. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings. Concussive hits can trigger a buildup of toxic tau protein within the brain, which in turn can create damaging tangles and threads in the neural fibers that connect brain tissue. Jones and Henrys friendship began at West Virginia, and their connection has continued long after Henrys passing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 12 Vols lose starting PG Zeigler to torn ACL, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Survey: Vikes, Fins, Raiders top FA report cards, Lakers' Davis out vs. OKC with right foot injury, Red Wings lock up Larkin with 8-year extension, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, A new home for Michael Thomas? Police said a dispute began at a home about a half-mile away, and Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his fiancee was driving away from the residence. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento desde tus controles de privacidad. That was the Chris Henry nobody knew, player after player and even coach Marvin Lewis -- who grew sick of Henry's act in 2008 -- testified, in retrospect. All Rights Reserved. Information from The Associated Press is included in this report. He was released by the Bengals the same day. Tonga's MySpace page identifies herself as "Mrs. C. Henry" and has a picture of her next to a person who appears to be Henry. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. @REALPACMAN24 tears up while talking about adopting Chris Henrys kids:We love each other hard. He'll be a soft-spoken, pleasant person.". He left behind two sons, but an old friend is making sure they still get the wisdom of a football. Now that he is gone we're hearing more about someone who took advantage of the second or third or eighth chance the forgiving Bengals provided him. He ran into some trouble, made some bad decisions, and realized that. Prior to the deadly accident, Henry was recovering from a broken forearm and he was in Charlottevisiting his finance so they could plan their March wedding. As we previously reported, cops believe Henry a wide receiver on the Cincinnati Bengals jumped . Jun. Wake up to the day's most important news. "People say I helped change his life. And to his credit, he at least seemed to try. "We would have been very happy if the results had been negative, but multiple areas of Chris Henry's brain showed CTE," said Julian Bailes, director of BIRI and chairman of neurosurgery at West Virginia. Henry dreamed of playing in the NFL, but after he was ejected from a game and suspended for another at West Virginia, the Bengals were the only team to bring him in for a pre-draft visit in 2005. "He's changed his life around. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The two had been involved in a dispute before Tonga got into the truck and Henry jumped in. "I learned to handle all situations, so I'll be all right.". Many from Henry's hometown of Belle Chasse wore red ribbons with a small photo of Henry that read: "In loving memory" and "Chris 'Slim' Henry.". Henry, who grew up in nearby Belle Chasse, died Thursday, Dec. 17, after falling out of the back of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga. The medical examiner said "the cause of death in this case is blunt force head trauma due to a fall from a motor vehicle.". "I feel like I should been there to say, 'Hey, both of you--stop it, that's enough,'"said Tonga. ", "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. When he showed up in the locker room for the first time since surgery to fix the fracture, Henry sounded confident he could get through the latest setback. They were teammates in college, though, as both played for West Virginia before being drafted into the NFL in 2005. Why Premier League clubs are no longer hiring as many top ex-players as managers, 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month. A sensational and shocking incident occurred at the Owaisi Hospital and Research Center in Hyderabad. "We were very comfortable with him in that environment," Lewis said. But using cell-staining techniques discovered and developed by Omalu, scientists can see the dangerous tau proteins and telltale tangles that characterize CTE. "His future as a husband and a father were important to him," Goodell said. Tonga's Myspace page announced the couple had just bought their wedding ringsjust days before he died. Chris Henry DEAD: Car Accident Killed Bengals Receiver, Report Says. "It's a bright story and one that didn't get to get all the way to the end of it, which is the most unfortunate part," the coach said. No team showed an interest in bringing him back. "It is with great sadness to learn Chris has passed away," Henry's agent, Andy Simms said in a statement. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Henry was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after being found on a residential road "apparently suffering life-threatening injuries," according to police. He was a man just realizing his potential, not just in football, but in life". The Bengals rallied behind beloved defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer when his wife, Vikki, who routinely baked cookies for the team, unexpectedly died in early October. That's why I got it.". Palmer made some chuckle as he remembered Henry's friendly demeanor. No traces of alcohol were found in a toxicology report, which didn't include any other tests for drugs. UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. I just tell them I'm blessed. Henry, 26, was killed after he fell out of the bed of a pickup truck driven by Tonga during what police called a domestic . He's a good person. CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX19) - The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office in North Carolina released the autopsy report for Chris Henry on Tuesday. Witnesses told police Henry appeared to have jumped or fallenfrom the truck in which Tonga was driving. A neighbor said Wednesday that the Tonga family owns the home where police say the incident began. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta updated reporters on Wednesday on where things stand with the star QB. I'm proud of him.". Henry was away from the team after breaking his left forearm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 8. When Henry was arrested for a fifth time following that season on an assault charge, the Bengals decided they'd had enough. Photo: Chris Henry's funeral Dec. 22, 2009. CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's office has released the autopsy report for Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry who died in north Charlotte last December. ", MORE ON CRIMESIDERDecember 18, 2009 - Chris Henry 911 Call: Woman Reported Shirtless Man Beating on Back of Moving Truck (Pictures)December 17, 2009 - Loleini Tonga, Chris Henry's Fiancee, at Center of Storm; Homicide Detectives Look into NFL DeathDecember 17, 2009 - Chris Henry Dead: NFL Star Thrown From Truck During Dispute with Fiancee Loleini Tonga, Say Cops, Trending News Bailes and his colleagues presented results of their forensic examination at a news conference Monday afternoon. Throughout his career, his temper and poor decisions got him in hot water. 1, a loaded LPGA field and more to watch in golf this week, How to watch PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on ESPN+, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Everything you need to know about F1's 2023 season, F1 season preview: Who's hot and who's not, Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits, Oral history: When Barcelona, Real Madrid played four Clasicos in 18 days back in 2011, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets. Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. A thigh injury slowed him early in the season, and he had 12 catches for 236 yards - his 19.7-yard average per catch leads the team - when he broke his left arm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 22, ending his season. But after Cincinnati brought him back in 2008, Henry vowed to put his substance abuse and anger management issues behind him. Now, Tonga and her family have to bear a burden much bigger than the one Henry's teammates must carry as they try to play, win and extend this special season that likely will end up with an AFC North title and a playoff berth. "We've all seen and experienced different sides of Chris, and with every side he showed us, we saw just how kind and gentle his heart was.". This occurred after he fell from the back of a moving pickup truck, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Henry is engaged to Loleini Tonga, and the couple has been raising three children. He couldn't hide his red, swollen eyes or the tear tracks that ran down his puffy cheeks. This all occurred over the course of three days. Alleged pictures of Chris Henry's fiance: Click HERE. Teammates noticed a pronounced change in his demeanor. Below his left ear, in flowing one-inch script, was the world "Blessed. Throughout his career, his temper and poor decisions got him in trouble. His career seemed finished. However, referring to reports of CTE among former players, NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee co-chair Richard Ellenbogen told The New York Times earlier this month, "They aren't assertions or hype -- they are facts.". ET. Their days together in Morgantown is where they became great friends. And I'm proud of that. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday. Henry grew up in the small, suburban community of Belle Chasse, not far from the funeral site. Finally, Chris himself died of asphyxiation and was found hanging by the cord of a weight machine in his basement. Henry was 26. Jones is also the father of three kids of his own, so officially having a hand in raising the kids of his close friend is nothing short of remarkable. When you see him up close, you'll find that you'll like him. After only 19 catches and two touchdowns in 12 games in the 2008 season, he set about making himself a topflight receiver again. ", Before the 2009 season, Henry got a new tattoo that matched his new outlook. "Detectives continue to work diligently on this active investigation," police said in a statement Thursday announcing Henry's death. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. The former Cincinnati Bengals receiver is remembered fondly in the NFL community, but Henry was more than just a player. Charlotte is home to his fiancee's parents. "He was a young man that struggled, made some decisions that he regretted, but he put himself on the right path. display: none; One witness told reporters that Henry said, "If you take off, I'm going to jump off the truck and kill myself.". Chris Henry, the late Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death, according to scientists at the Brain Injury Research Institute. Henry was only 26 years old. The reason why he was crying: The death of fellow wide receiver and teammate Chris Henry, who passed away Thursday morning from injuries sustained fewer than 24 hours earlier in a bizarre domestic dispute in which he fell from the back of a pickup truck his fiance was driving Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. Henry was never really human, in life, to most of us. We saw a football player, a talented one who wasted a lot of his potential, only to suffer a season-ending broken arm -- and now death -- when he finally seemed to get it. CTE can be pinpointed only by autopsy, and even under regular postmortem analysis, its effects are invisible. 4:57 The Death of Chris Henry WJR MEDIA 9K views 12 years ago 20:37 The Metrodome Roof Collapse: The Inside Story of One of the Most Bizarre Events in NFL History Minnesota Vikings 4.4M views. "It was something new to me. March 1, 2023. "It just comes with time, you know?" "The brain floats freely in your skull," said Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist who is co-director of BIRI. Its been nearly 12 years since Chris Henry passed away. Teammates noticed a pronounced change in his demeanor. "While jumping from a moving motor vehicle would ordinarily be considered extreme risk taking behavior, it seems that an individual in the decedent's state of health jumping from a moving pickup truck bed at the reported rate of speed would not be sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that this would be an act highly likely to cause death," the report reads. Peter Keating is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. He had surgery and was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the game. He loved my niece to death.". Can the Lions fix their defense? Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial "It's hard. "I'm worth the chance," Henry said, when he showed up the following weekend for a rookie minicamp. Lewis said before the service that Henry touched a lot of people in his very short life. He was also a father to two young boys and one girl. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Cincinnati's four preseason games. She said the couplehad a volatile history and that the argument was about their wedding plans. "The Chris Henry I knew was a good quiet young man, wasn't a troublemaker," said Shelley, his high school friend. Im still close with his whole entire family. In an interview with Shannon Sharpe, former Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said he has adopted both of Henrys sons earlier this year. Fiancee Loleini Tonga Involved In Death. Ex-Steeler Justin Strzelczyk, for example, was killed in 2004 after experiencing hallucinations, leading police on a high-speed chase for 40 miles before driving his car into a tanker truck. He was ejected from a game and suspended for another at West Virginia, where former coach Rich Rodriguez told Henry that he was an embarrassment to himself and the program. They wouldn't identify the woman, and no charges were immediately filed. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "I'm worth the chance," Henry said, when he showed up the following weekend for a rookie minicamp. "If you're moving very quickly and suddenly stop, the brain bounces.". He released weights of over 240lbs which when dropped strangled him to death. Informacin sobre tu dispositivo y conexin a Internet, como tu direccin IP, Actividad de navegacin y bsqueda al utilizar sitios web y aplicaciones de Yahoo. Police said at some point when she was driving, Henry "came out of the back of the vehicle." Weve been working on this for three-[to]-four years, and we finally got it done like six, seven months ago.. Vesi Tonga said she witnessed many arguments--some even led to pushing and shoving but she never spoke up about their problems. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings. At the news conference Monday, Bailes said that neither NFL nor WVU records show Henry was diagnosed with a concussion during his playing career. He was 26. Police ruled the incident an accident. Henry become a vital part of the offense as a rookie, helping the Bengals reach the playoffs in 2005 with his ability to run past defenders to grab long passes. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? Adam Jones reveals he adopted Chris Henrys sons, Duke Tobin admits he doesnt know if Joe Mixon remains with the Bengals, Mel Kiper projects Bengals to take a guy who played in just 2 games last season due to injury. And he had been succeeding, according to teammates as well as Bengals officials. 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