The news of Chris Henry’s death on Thursday morning hit me like a ton of bricks.  Like others in the city, I have been harsh on Henry. Let’s face it he deserved it after five arrests and some of the stupid behavior he displayed during his tenure in the Queen City. However, I have always been a fan of his potential and the fact he was starting to realize it himself over the past year or so was something that brought me joy.

I may not have known Chris Henry, but I do understand him. I wrote about it this past summer in an article I wrote about the Bengals being on Hard Knocks and how that his comeback was the true story of this team.

After hearing Carson Palmer, who Henry worked out with this off-season, speak so highly on him this off-season, I pegged Henry as one of my top fantasy sleepers.

In my over three decades of watching the Cincinnati Bengals, I firmly believe that Henry is the most-gifted receiver to ever wear the Bengal stripes. He may not be able to run route very well. He was slow to learn the entire offense and at times his work ethic was questioned. Yet there are few receivers in the league that possessed his size, athleticism and his ability to go deep down the field.

The passing game has turned anemic since him going in early November at Baltimore. I just can’t stop thinking what would have happened had he not broken his arm. Would he have been at practice on Wednesday, rather than at practice? In the end, Henry’s whole career can be summed up by wondering what could’ve been.  I just wish we would’ve had a chance to see it.

R.I.P. #15!

NFL cincinnati bengals, chris henry