His career seemed finished. File: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. NFL wideout Chris Henry was taken too soon from this world when he died at age 26 in 2009. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. A sensational and shocking incident occurred at the Owaisi Hospital and Research Center in Hyderabad. "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. Finally, Chris himself died of asphyxiation and was found hanging by the cord of a weight machine in his basement. A loving and caring individual, he was thankful for what he had in life, and proud of what he had overcome.". Jones joined the team just months after Henrys tragic death in December of 2009. "If you only knew him by hearsay, you'd think he's some kind of ogre," Brown said, during the Bengals' appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. And, just like with Belushi, his tragic demise in December 1997 turned into a police investigation after it was learned that a woman had witnessed the struggling star's final drug-fueled hours. They warned him that he had to stay in control if he was going to stay in the NFL. I'm proud of him.". It's painful to us. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday. Henry, who was awide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals,died in December after falling from his fiance's pick-up truck. You doing all right?' The medical examiner concluded by saying the death was ruled accidental. Man with long criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Im still close with his whole entire family. Copyright 2010 FOX19. Watch Live: Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. 15 2013, Updated 9:30 p.m. 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. He was suspended five times for arrests ranging from weapons charges to drugs. According to the autopsy, Henry's official cause of death was blunt force . Henry was shy and spoke in a quiet voice. (17 Dec 2009) HEADLINE: Neighbor describes accident scene\r---------------------------------------\rCAPTION: A neighbor of Chris Henry on Thursday described the scene of the accident that took the football player's life, while a friend reflects on the receiver's life. Now, she wishes she would have said something. 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. Police have not released the 911 tapes, and Harrington wouldn't say if the woman was present at the scene when police arrived. BNO News is reporting that Chris Henry has died. Police said Tonga stopped to assist Henry when he fell about a half-mile from the home. Market data provided by Factset. Who knows if there ever will be a viable explanation that comforts her or the kids? We feel it in our hearts.". 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. After staining, normal brain cells are blue and uncluttered under a microscope, while Henry's brain cells were discolored, clumpy and filled with threads, according to the researchers. } All rights reserved. "And then this tragedy cut him down.". "Can't nobody know the way I'm feeling right now. "It is with great sadness to learn Chris has passed away," Henry's agent, Andy Simms said in a statement. "I'm just happy they took me.". I'm still trying to educate myself as to what it means. Seini Henry, daugther of Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, looks at a message that she wrote to her father before a memorial service in Westwego, La., Dec. 22, 2009. Al hacer clic en Aceptar todo, aceptas que Yahoo y nuestros socios procesarn tu informacin personal y utilizarn tecnologas como cookies para presentarte anuncios y contenido personalizados, evaluar anuncios y contenido, obtener datos clave sobre la audiencia y desarrollar productos. In the days following his death, the CMPD released two 911 calls regarding the incident. Some of it makes sense with some of the behavioral patterns in Chris -- just like mood swings and the headaches. "We liked him," Bengals President Mike Brown said on Thursday morning, shortly after learning of Henry's passing. Bailes and his colleagues presented results of their forensic examination at a news conference Monday afternoon. I just tell them I'm blessed. 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. In fact, that was Lewis' message to his team. Time is ticking on contract talks between the Ravens and Lamar Jackson. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday. They warned him that he had to stay in control if he was going to stay in the NFL. We lost one of us. Henry was 26. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings. "It just comes with time, you know?" While the links between CTE and behavior are still being studied, many of the former athletes diagnosed with this form of brain damage died under unusual circumstances. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? Henry was only 26 years old. Peter Keating is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Police said Henry and his fiancee got into an argument at the Tonga family home and she drove away on a curvy residential street near downtown Charlotte. Mourners clapped briefly as Tonga slowly made her way back to her front row seat. 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. They wouldn't identify the woman, and no charges were immediately filed. Henry's football career was marred by off-the-field problems, beginning when he played college ball at West Virginia. or redistributed. Photo: Chris Henry's funeral Dec. 22, 2009. But in the final month of the season he was arrested for marijuana possession. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center inCharlottewhere he remained for 18 hours "before being declared brain dead" the medical report said. CHARLOTTE, NC (CBS/AP) The 911 calls relating to NFL star Chris Henry's death following a fight with his fiance, Loleini Tonga, have been released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. He got into top shape and worked out with teammates in the offseason, showing more resolve than at any point in his career. In 2007, Benoit strangled his wife and 7-year-old son, then put Bibles next to their bodies and hanged himself. Panthers head coach Frank Reich came away impressed after a meeting with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr on Tuesday, but he said the team is still evaluating both veteran and rookie QB options. He was 26. And then this tragedy cut him down. "It is tragic when a life is taken so young. Shane Shelley, 26, was Henry's high school quarterback when they made it to the state title game in 2001, their senior year. Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. 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. ", For years, the NFL and its affiliated researchers disputed scientific evidence linking concussions to long-term brain damage. This occurred after he fell from the back of a moving pickup truck, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was also a. 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. "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. By Chris Murphy. Police determined earlier this year that charges would not be filed against Tonga. Chris Henry DEAD: Car Accident Killed Bengals Receiver, Report Says. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. At his arraignment on April 3, 2008, Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard called Henry "a one-man crime wave." Henry was in the final year of his contract with the Bengals, who let him go after his fifth arrest following the 2007 season. "If you only knew him by hearsay, you'd think he's some kind of ogre," Brown said, during the Bengals' appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. CTE can be pinpointed only by autopsy, and even under regular postmortem analysis, its effects are invisible. Tonga professed eternal love for Henry and promised to raise their children the way he would want. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "I learned to handle all situations, so I'll be all right.". Medical examiner releases autopsy report for Chris Henry, N.C. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? 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. Henry would be 38 if he were living today, watching now 14-year-old Chris Jr. ("Man-Man") and 12-year-old DeMarcus ("Bubba") play football. Henry was away from the team after breaking his left forearm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 8. "Superimposed on the acute brain injuries Chris suffered when he died, there was fairly extensive damage throughout his brain that was fully consistent with CTE. He was more of a symbol of youth and exuberance gone bad in the hands of someone too immature to have a clue about professionalism and responsibility. "We knew him in a different way than his public persona," Bengals owner Mike Brown said of the . He loved my niece to death.". "People say, 'How you feeling now Chris? UPDATE: Click HERE for more info about Chris Henry's funeral and click HERE for photos from the funeral. There won't be relief from that snapshot -- maybe ever. His reputation was already costing him - the Bengals were the only NFL team to bring him in for a pre-draft visit in 2005. One witness told reporters that Henry said, "If you take off, I'm going to jump off the truck and kill myself.". On Monday, Omalu and a colleague, Dr. Julian Bailes, found themselves back in the news as they presented the findings on their latest subject, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, who . That hub of support is why the Bengals had no problem with Henry being in Charlotte, even though most players on injured reserve remain with the team while rehabbing every day, attending meetings, practices and home games. He was a good man, a good father. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Henry was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after being found on a residential road. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta updated reporters on Wednesday on where things stand with the star QB. . "He loved life. Remember the good. He nearly sank a lot of people, especially himself. / CBS NEWS, First published on December 23, 2009 / 9:00 AM. Photo: Chris Henry's funeral Dec. 22, 2009. Then, Bengals owner Mike Brown - who refers to himself as "a redeemer" - changed his mind and gave him another chance. Jones career was reborn after Henrys passing, but he never stopped caring for the family his friend left behind. He'll be a soft-spoken, pleasant person.". That his life was cut short just as he was turning it around made Henry's story so tragic, Goodell said. "It was something new to me. Henry was away from the team after breaking his left forearm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 8. 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.". Wake up to the day's most important news. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son Then, they picked him in the third round. Everyone know me and Chris was best friends in college, Jones said. Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? Perry Mason, season 2 premiere (2020): Period drama. Then, Bengals owner Brown who refers to himself as "a redeemer" changed his mind and gave him another chance. December 17, 2009 - Chris Henry Dead: NFL Star Thrown From Truck During Dispute with Fiancee Loleini Tonga, Say Cops First published on December 17, 2009 / 2:00 PM 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. Police said at some point when she was driving, Henry "came out of the back of the vehicle." Alleged pictures of Chris Henry's fiance: Click HERE. "You know, I felt like that wasn't my place so I kept to myself, " she said. Despite some suggestion online earlier that Bengals receiver Chris Henry is dead following a bizarre car accident, the latest news suggests that he's not quite dead yet, although police have started a homicide investigation. But after Cincinnati brought him back in 2008, Henry vowed to put his substance abuse and anger management issues behind him. Legal Statement. She wonders if that love cost Henry his life. She said the couplehad a volatile history and that the argument was about their wedding plans. Tonga also said she wasn't driving fast whenHenrycame out of the truck. But it doesn't take a collision with another player for brain trauma to occur. I just tell them I'm blessed. That's why I got it.". It is still not clear whether Henry jumped or fell, but as Tonga was driving at about 19 mph, Henry crashed to the ground, suffering a fractured skull and massive head injuries. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, directed by Stephen Daldry, will receive its world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End in late 2023. There was no blood found. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry, 26, died early Thursday, less than 18 hours after he fell off the back of a pickup truck on a curvy residential street about eight miles northwest of . Henry seemed determined to stay out of trouble. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Henry was also an organ donor, and several of his organs, including his heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pancreas were all donated. This time, Henry seemed determined to stay out of trouble. Authorities have not announced the cause of death. 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. This is a downcast period for the Bengals, not only losing 27-24 against San Diego, but having to bury a friend and teammate. #inline-recirc-item--id-d434d30c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-d434d30c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Henry is engaged to Loleini Tonga, and the couple has been raising three children. Developing By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. A neighbor said Wednesday that the Tonga family owns the home where police say the incident began. Watch more at http://www.theyoungturks.com Follow us on Twitter. ", "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. All Rights Reserved. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. / CBS News. }, First published on December 23, 2009 / 9:27 AM. All rights reserved. The medical examiner said "the cause of death in this case is blunt force head trauma due to a fall from a motor vehicle.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Lewis said a lot of Henry's issues were because of the folks he chose to surround himself with, especially those from his native Louisiana who counted on him to care for them, particularly after Hurricane Katrina. According to the autopsy, Henry's official cause of death was blunt force trauma due to that fall and it was accidental. Henry, who grew up in nearby . A neighbor said Wednesday that the Tonga family owns the home where police say the incident began. Henry, a native of Belle Chasse, La., played collegiately at West Virginia and was a third-round pick by the Bengals in 2005. "I'm worth the chance," Henry said, when he showed up the following weekend for a rookie minicamp. Tonga and Henry had two children together, Chris Jr. and Demarcus, and they also cared for Tonga's two other children, Seini and Denalya. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. And starting with Mike Webster, we have seen common threads in these cases: emotional disturbances, depression, failed personal relationships and businesses, suicidal thoughts, sometimes alcohol or drug use. Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege Henry jumped into the back of the truck and began beating on the back window in an effort to get her to stop the vehicle. He ran into some trouble, made some bad decisions, and realized that. Marvin Gaye was a much loved if drug-haunted musician and helped shape the Motown music scene in the 60s to the extent that he was often called The Prince of Motown or the Prince of Soul.As soulful as his songs were, his life remained in turmoil. "He has worked through troubles in his life and seemed to reach the point where everything would blossom and he would have the future we all planned for him," Brown said. Tonga has to live with that horrific moment, and the ones that led up to the sequence in the pickup truck that ended with Henry dead. In a sense, it was already a second chance. "It's not true. "While it is impossible to know the decedent's intent upon leaving the vehicle, whether it represented an intentional jump or an unintentional fall, either act would be classified as an accident.". "For those who knew Chris, he was nothing like his public perception. He was released by the Bengals the same day. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. "Detectives continue to work diligently on this active investigation," police said in a statement Thursday announcing Henry's death. 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. 15. "We ask that you keep Chris' family especially the young children he leaves behind in your prayers," Simms said. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Henry and Tonga were arguing at a home owned by Tonga's family on Peachtree Road when Tonga attempted to drive away. "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.". In six years of knowing each other through hard times, good times we loved each other very much," she said. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. All of the conversation at the Bengals training facility on Thursday -- and their wasn't much because of the widespread grief -- was positive reflection, but Henry shouldn't be canonized. No team showed an interest in bringing him back. Henry was 26. ", 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 Below his left ear, in flowing one-inch script, was the world "Blessed. The former Cincinnati Bengals receiver is remembered fondly in the NFL community, but Henry was more than just a player. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings. 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