Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals / Photo: Newscom

Prior to this season, Chris was known more for getting in trouble than he was his football skills—which were outstanding, obviously. You don’t make it this far without playing outstanding football. But after four arrests and three NFL suspensions, it didn’t seem like this talented but troubled kid from West Virginia was ever gonna get it. It took some time, but Chris did pull himself together. In August of 2008, the Bengals brought Chris back to the team and he turned his life around and set himself on a path to where he’d become the kind of person he knew he could be. And the kind of person the NFL and the Cincinnati Bengals hoped he would be.

That’s why it’s especially difficult to make sense of this tragedy. It seemed like Chris was given one more chance and he took that chance and turned it into a success story. Whatever circumstances led to the incident yesterday are not known yet. But one thing that is certain—Chris touched a lot of lives in a positive way and will be fondly remembered as someone who has been described as a kind-hearted, caring teammate and friend.

Source: Bengals.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Remembering Chris Henry, 1983-2009

Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

Bengals owner Mike Brown made the following statement at a morning presser:

“We were notified an hour ago that Chris Henry died in Charlotte at 6:30 this morning. He was good at what he did as a player, and he was a teammate to our players and a friend to almost all of us in the building. We knew him in a different way than his public persona. He was soft spoken, pleasant, comfortable to be around. We liked him. He had worked through troubles in his life and had seemingly reached the point where everything was going to blossom, and he was going to have the future we all wanted for him and he wanted for himself. And then this tragedy cut him down. It’s painful to us. We feel it in our hearts, and we will miss him.”

My condolences go out to Chris’ family at this difficult time.

Sources: Bengals.com, Bengals.com

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Chris Henry Dies Following Auto Accident

Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals / AP Photo

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said in a statement today that Chris jumped into the back of the truck as his fiancée, Loleini Tonga, drove away. He was later found on a residential street in Charlotte. Police added:

“The domestic situation continued between the operator and Mr. Henry. At some point while she was driving, Mr. Henry came out of the back of the vehicle.”

Chris has been on injured reserve since November 9 with a dislocated forearm.

Sources: Bengals.com, Fox Sports

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry in Critical Condition

Larry Johnson signed by Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

I figured the only other team that would even take a look at this guy would be the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals might be playing better football, but they still make some very questionable decisions when it comes to the character of the players they involve themselves with. It’s almost as though that aspect isn’t even a consideration.

Nevertheless, Larry might bring some needed depth at the running back position. Cedric Benson left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a sore abductor muscle. His status for this weekend is still up-in-the-air. Backup rookie running back Bernard Scott was a training camp phenom and performed very well in Ced’s absence. Plus there’s hard-nosed running back who looks like a fullback Brian Leonard. So, I’m not really sure where Larry fits in, but if he can keep his mouth shut (and his Twitter under control) and let his game do the talking, the Bengals will have a very solid group of runners in their offensive backfield.

Source: Bengals.com

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Cincinnati Bengals Sign Larry Johnson

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

After the game, quarterback Carson Palmer credited his team’s work in the trenches:

“We kept grinding, and at the end of the day, I think the offensive line won that battle up front and pushed them around and gave us a chance to finish off that last drive with a field goal. We had a couple of nice first downs on some runs, and kept battling. And if you’re winning with field goals, you win. If you’re winning with touchdowns, you win. We’ll take a win any way we can get it.”

Check out these facts. It was the first time since 1998 the Bengals have season-swept the Steelers. And they essentially opened a two-game lead on Pittsburgh because they own the tiebreaker, should it come down to that. Plus, for the first time in the team’s history, the Bengals are 5-0 in the AFC North. Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? In the AFC North, nobody.

Sources: Bengals.com, NFL.com

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Bengals Take Control of AFC North

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals / Photo: Newscom

How did he explain having his career-best game against his former team?

“It’s hard to explain. It was a bit of an emotional week coming into this one. At the end of the day, we played against my ex-team. With the way things unfolded there until my arrival here, it was just a bit of an emotional day.”

I’m sure the Bears are wondering where this outburst came from. Cedric had a hard time cracking the starting lineup in Chicago and never really fit in with the organization. Thus his release. But now he’s the NFL’s leading rusher with 720 yards and he’s part of a very balanced and productive Bengals offense. Sometimes a player just needs a little change of scenery to make all the difference for the better. And in Cedric’s case, a new life in Cincinnati is exactly what jump-started his NFL career.

Source: NFL.com, Bengals.com

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Cedric Benson Gets Revenge on Bears

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

If you’ll recall, last year (and the year before), Chad was attempting to kick and scream his way out of Cincinnati. But when he realized he was taking the wrong path to get what he ultimately wanted, he changed his ways and became exactly the type of person employee he needed to become to achieve the kind of success he truly desired.

Utilizing social media giants Twitter and Ustream, Chad has been at the forefront of Web 2.0 player-fan relations. The guy does what no other athlete is doing. Or will probably dare to do. He advertises when and where he’s going to be—not so fans can watch him from a distance, but so they can hang out with him—whether he’s going out to dinner to celebrate a win in downtown Cincy; or flying to South Beach before a Monday Night Football game. Chad not only wants to meet his fans, he wants to break bread with them and maybe even take them to the movies. And those are just a couple examples.

Chad’s also been known to fly fans to Cincinnati for home game weekend excursions. Some might call it a little bit crazy. I call it genius. And if it’s genuine, pretty darn nice, too. I mean, when the Bengals were granted a one day extension (by the NFL) yesterday to sell 3,000 remaining tickets (thus avoiding a local television blackout), who do you think stepped to the plate to buy those tickets? You guessed it—the self-proclaimed Oprah Winfrey of the National Football League. Chad partnered with Motorola to buy up the seats that would otherwise keep area fans who aren’t at the stadium from seeing the game on local TV.

You gotta give the guy credit. While at one time appearing to be just another spoiled, crybaby, diva receiver, Chad has become exactly the kind of player the NFL will single out in promoting its best case player-fan relationships. As the league looks into the future, their continued (even increased) popularity will certainly be enhanced by players who put forth even half the public relations effort that Chad Ochocinco does.

Sources: Cincinnati.com, twitter.com/OGOchoCinco, Bengals.com, Rotoworld.com,

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Chad Ochocinco Reinvents Himself Again

Rob Ryan, Cleveland Browns / AP Photo

Coach Ryan didn’t agree with the end result:

“You can watch the tape. I’m not saying anything, but maybe the posts were crooked. Look at it. I don’t want to get fined. I pay enough money already on the house I don’t even live in in California. I don’t want to make this a big story, but I was disappointed. I thought it missed. Of course, I’m not an expert. That’s why I’m saying maybe somebody else should look at it.”

They already have. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the NFL has reviewed the kick from a number of angles and feels the correct call was made. I watched the end of that game and my initial reaction was that the kick was wide right. In fact, I was stunned when the officials raised their arms signaling a good kick and thus, the end of the game. I thought I saw a missed field goal. Of course, I haven’t looked at numerous replays like the league did, but I can understand coach Ryan’s concern. You can watch the replay of it here. The CBS announcers act as though Shayne split the uprights.

Source: ESPN.com, NFL.com

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Rob Ryan Speaks His Mind, Disputes Loss

Chad Greenway's pink cleats / Photo courtesy Minnesota Vikings

Chad was humbled that wearing pink cleats could mean so much:

“I think the purple and pink will clash. But we’ll make it work ….. It’s something our family has battled through, with my grandmother. We watched her battle, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to take the lead on it. I was excited for the chance, because there’s only a few guys on each team that get a chance to do that. And to be chosen, for whatever reason, was a great privilege. You can’t talk to anybody who hasn’t been affected by some form of cancer. For every survivor, and every person who is battling it, it’s more than just a color.”

Now, these certainly aren’t the only players who plan to wear pink equipment this month. All 32 teams have reps ready to support the cause. But as long as we’re pumping players named Chad wearing pink cleats, check out Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco’s pink wardrobe plans on his Twitpic. He’s going with pink wristbands as well as a chin strap and mouthpiece, too. Pretty awesome stuff, Chads.

Sources: TwinCities.com, twitpic.com/photos/ogochocinco

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NFL Players Will Wear Pink Cleats, Gloves

Source: NFL.com

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Chad Ochocinco Does the Lambeau Leap