Upon Further Review... Chris Henry

On Sunday I saw something that amazed me, of course I watched football and saw amazing things but there was something that caught my attention that amazed me all the more. During the week the NFL was hit with a tragedy, when wide receiver Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals died in Charlotte, NC on Thursday. I know there have been many tragedies hit the National Football League over the years but this one stood out to me for many reasons. Henry was 26 years old, about to get married and had 3 young children; he had his whole life ahead of him. He was a man that had a troubled past but was trying to make progress to better himself, not only for his family but for his team as well. And the impact of his life was evident on Sunday as the Bengals faced off with the San Diego Chargers.

What caught my attention was a normally boisterous Chad Ochocinco that was brought to tears not only during the pre-game but also during the game as he sobbed into a towel after he scored a touchdown, no doubt devoting his efforts on Sunday for Chris Henry. I know some would say that was too much emotion, some would say how could he play when he was so emotional, some would even say they should have rescheduled the game but I say play on. For many football players when they step on to the field it becomes their refuge just think about it, don’t we all have a refuge some place we run and hide to escape all of life’s troubles, some place where the noise stops and it is just you and your hiding place. On Sunday Ochocinco found his hiding place, the place where the world stopped and he could focus on what he loves most football. When we go to our hiding place it doesn’t mean we forget all that is around us, it is just a time for us to take a deep breathe relax and get re-focused on what is important. See Chad Ochocinco understands, as I hope we all do, that football is just a game but life is well….life. And no matter how far gone the player, no matter how many times he has messed up, his life is still worth more than a game. I think sometimes we forget that these are men playing a game that they love, with families and with everyday problems just like you and I. Football is a team sport they are a brotherhood and build relationships with each other over time and that is something that cannot be broken. I think on Sunday you saw that brotherhood and the relationship that was built over time.

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I have never been a huge Bengals fan, nor have I been an Ochocinco fan but on Sunday I was. I wanted the Bengals to win and I wanted 85 to have a huge day, not for stats purposes, not for television purposes but for the sheer simple fact they were trying to find refuge and if even only for 3 hours grown men were able to go to their secret place and find peace in the midst of trouble. This week the Bengals and many from around the NFL will attend the funeral of Chris Henry and I am sure that it will be heart breaking for those who have known him and for his family, but I hope that come Sunday those men are able to find refuge once again and I hope somewhere his family will be able to find refuge also.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent