2008 Woodie Awards
Bengals receiver Henry released from team after his latest arrest
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports
CINCINNATI - Wide receiver Chris Henry lost his job while waiting in jail to be arraigned yesterday. The Bengals decided they had enough of Henry's legal problems and cut him after his fifth arrest since 2005.
Henry surrendered Wednesday night and spent the night in the Hamilton County jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest based on a complaint by a man who said Henry punched him in the face and broke his car window with a beer bottle Monday night.
Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard set cash bond at $51,000 on charges of misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging and, noting Henry's previous arrests involving drugs, guns and alcohol, called Henry "a one-man crime wave." He ordered electronic monitoring if Henry made bail.
Henry, 24, did not speak at the hearing. His lawyer, Perry Ancona, entered not guilty pleas to both charges and disputed the allegations in the complaint sworn by Gregory Meyer.
"We have a different set of facts we ask the court to consider," Ancona said.
Minutes before the arraignment, Ancona broke the news to Henry that he had been released.
Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement that Henry, an often brilliant receiver who would be in his fourth pro season this year, had forfeited his career with the club.
"His conduct can no longer be tolerated," said Brown, who has a history of trying to rehabilitate wayward players.
Henry was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the first half of last season for repeatedly violating the league's conduct policy. He also was suspended for two games in 2006.
"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career," Brown said. "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 ... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."
Henry's agent, Marvin Frazier, thanked the Bengals for their patience.
Henry surrendered Wednesday night and spent the night in the Hamilton County jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest based on a complaint by a man who said Henry punched him in the face and broke his car window with a beer bottle Monday night.
Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard set cash bond at $51,000 on charges of misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging and, noting Henry's previous arrests involving drugs, guns and alcohol, called Henry "a one-man crime wave." He ordered electronic monitoring if Henry made bail.
Henry, 24, did not speak at the hearing. His lawyer, Perry Ancona, entered not guilty pleas to both charges and disputed the allegations in the complaint sworn by Gregory Meyer.
"We have a different set of facts we ask the court to consider," Ancona said.
Minutes before the arraignment, Ancona broke the news to Henry that he had been released.
Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement that Henry, an often brilliant receiver who would be in his fourth pro season this year, had forfeited his career with the club.
"His conduct can no longer be tolerated," said Brown, who has a history of trying to rehabilitate wayward players.
Henry was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the first half of last season for repeatedly violating the league's conduct policy. He also was suspended for two games in 2006.
"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career," Brown said. "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 ... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."
Henry's agent, Marvin Frazier, thanked the Bengals for their patience.
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