Chris Henry Believes The Negative Past Is Behind Him
July 10, 2009 – 10:00 am by Michael Bean
The past is the past and it’s time to look forward. So says Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, who is reportedly having a fantastic offseason. Henry has been arrested multiple times since coming in to the league from the University of West Virginia in 2005 and was suspended for the first four games of the 2008 season after commissioner Goodell had seen enough of his off-field antics. Henry joined 1530 The Homer in Cincinnati on Thursday to talk about his renewed commitment to football, his family and his future.
On if this season feels like a fresh start for him:
“Yes it does. It’s like a fresh start for me, man. And I’m just so, like I said, excited to get back and get back on that field and show my fans in the world that I’m ready to play and be a professional.
On the special bond that he and quarterback Carson Palmer have had over the years, particularly recently during a time when Henry really needed support:
“Yeah, me and Carson, we’ve always been really cool. But Carson’s just been a great friend, man. He’s just been there for me all the time. We have a really good relationship.”
On what made him realize it was time to change his behavior:
“I pretty much told myself that this is what I love to do and if I want to be able to keep doing it, I have to do everything right. And like I said earlier, carry myself like a professional at all times and just stay away from all the negative stuff and just live life right you know. I’ve been through a lot. Some of the things were me putting myself in to bad positions. I don’t want to get in to all of that, but you know, it was tough man. But I feel blessed that I’m able to still be out here playing football, doing the thing I love to do, and you know, having my kids come to the games and watch me play. I feel really blessed.”
On if it was and continues to be tough to walk away and stay away from those negative influences in his life that were perhaps responsible for some of his transgressions earlier in his career and young adult life:
“Not really, because when the going gets tough, you can really see the real side of those people. So it wasn’t tough at all, I just had to do what I had to do for my family and for me.”
Listen here to Henry on 1530 The Homer in Cincinnati
Tags: 1530 The Homer, Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals, how many times has Chris Henry been arrested, NFL interviews
