The two had been involved in a dispute before Tonga got into the truck and Henry jumped in. Police said Tonga was going between 19-23 mph when he fell. Despite the couple's issues, Tonga said Henry loved his fiancee and was looking forward to their life together. He loved my niece to death.". A thigh injury slowed him early in the season, but he had 12 catches for 236 yards. Perry, Della and Paul brace themselves for the murder trial of the century. Henry, who grew up in nearby Belle Chasse, died Thursday, Dec. 17, after falling out of the back of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga. Speaking before the service, Goodell said Henry's legacy would be of a man who was a good person who made mistakes, then sought to better himself. Fantasy basketball: How concerning is LeBron James' injury? Finally, Chris himself died of asphyxiation and was found hanging by the cord of a weight machine in his basement. Peter Keating is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Tom McHale, a guard for three NFL teams remembered by teammates as smart and dependable, sank into depression and died of a multiple-drug overdose in 2008. "Hopefully I can share whatever they share with me with other parents and help the NFL deal with the matter of being hit in the head and concussions and to educate ourselves as mothers and fathers when we send our kids out there on the field. In the final month of the season, he also showed his other side, getting arrested for marijuana possession. "He worked through adversity and came out of it to be a beacon of hope for other people," Lewis said. Jones joined the team just months after Henrys tragic death in December of 2009. CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX19) - The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office in North Carolina released the autopsy report for Chris Henry on Tuesday. After only 19 catches and two touchdowns in 12 games in the 2008 season, he set about making himself a topflight receiver again. But it doesn't take a collision with another player for brain trauma to occur. Coach Marvin Lewis said Henry had become a different man. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Can't nobody know the way I'm feeling right now. According to the autopsy, Henry's official cause of death was blunt force trauma due to that fall and it was accidental. Henry would be 38 if he were living today, watching now 14-year-old Chris Jr. ("Man-Man") and 12-year-old DeMarcus ("Bubba") play football. She also has a post from Tuesday talking about buying wedding rings. Despite the fame and the fortune, the money, and the accolades, Marvin's family life was not peaceful . In a sense, it was already a second chance. Recently, Henry had shed most of them and created an inner circle that was healthy, supportive, independent and accountable. File: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. Perry Mason, season 2 premiere (2020): Period drama. Henry become a vital part of the offense as a rookie, helping the Bengals reach the playoffs in 2005 with his ability to run past defenders to grab long passes. "It was something new to me. Their days together in Morgantown is where they became great friends. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. ", Before the 2009 season, Henry got a new tattoo that matched his new outlook. Then, they picked him in the third round. When you see him up close, you'll find that you'll like him. The accident occurred on December 16th as the 26-year-old was standing in the bed of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Cincinnati's four preseason games. Police spokeswoman Rosalyn Harrington said homicide detectives have been assigned to the case but had no further information. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Tonga and Henry had two children together, Chris Jr. and Demarcus, and they also cared for Tonga's two other children, Seini and Denalya. A sensational and shocking incident occurred at the Owaisi Hospital and Research Center in Hyderabad. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, directed by Stephen Daldry, will receive its world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End in late 2023. Jones and Henrys friendship began at West Virginia, and their connection has continued long after Henrys passing. Jones is also the father of three kids of his own, so officially having a hand in raising the kids of his close friend is nothing short of remarkable. There was no blood found. Vesi Tonga said she witnessed many arguments--some even led to pushing and shoving but she never spoke up about their problems. "For those who knew Chris, he was nothing like his public perception. Haz clic en Gestionar ajustes para obtener ms informacin y gestionar tus opciones. "While jumping from a moving motor vehicle would ordinarily be considered extreme risk taking behavior, it seems that an individual in the decedent's state of health jumping from a moving pickup truck bed at the reported rate of speed would not be sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that this would be an act highly likely to cause death," the report reads. CINCINNATI -- It's interesting how tragedy can humanize someone. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Prior to the deadly accident, Henry was recovering from a broken forearm and he was in Charlottevisiting his finance so they could plan their March wedding. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Henry was away from the team after breaking his left forearm during a win over Baltimore on Nov. 8. Tonga said the incident was a horrible accident and that Henry would not have wanted to end his life because he had too much going on including his kids. No team showed an interest in bringing him back. CTE can be pinpointed only by autopsy, and even under regular postmortem analysis, its effects are invisible. According to a statement from the CMPD, the speed limit on Oakdale Roadis 35 mph. He was 26. He changed mine.". "That's what everybody needs to know. Marvin Gaye was a much loved if drug-haunted musician and helped shape the Motown music scene in the 60s to the extent that he was often called The Prince of Motown or the Prince of Soul.As soulful as his songs were, his life remained in turmoil. As we previously reported, cops believe Henry a wide receiver on the Cincinnati Bengals jumped . He had surgery and was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the game. He was 26. "It is with great sadness to learn Chris has passed away," Henry's agent, Andy Simms said in a statement. (AP), Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry died Thursday, a day after falling off a truck during a domestic dispute with his fiancee, a tragedy Bengals owner Mike Brown said "cut him down" just as he was "running to daylight.". Can the Lions fix their defense? You doing all right?' Chris Henry died from complications of severe injuries after falling out of the back of a pickup truck in what authorities describe as a domestic dispute with his fiancee Loleini Tonga, per the Associated Press. ", Before the 2009 season, Henry got a new tattoo that matched his new outlook. / CBS NEWS, First published on December 23, 2009 / 9:00 AM. I'm still trying to educate myself as to what it means. "You know, I felt like that wasn't my place so I kept to myself, " she said. Wake up to the day's most important news. The toxicology report revealed no alcohol in Henry's system at the time of his death. Players, however, admitted that Henry's death hits closer because he was a peer. And, just like with Belushi, his tragic demise in December 1997 turned into a police investigation after it was learned that a woman had witnessed the struggling star's final drug-fueled hours. Read about Dr Mazhar Ali Khan death. He was released by the Bengals the same day. Below his left ear, in flowing one-inch script, was the world "Blessed. In fact, that was Lewis' message to his team. "I learned to handle all situations, so I'll be all right.". When you see him up close, you'll find that you'll like him. He's a good person. In six years of knowing each other through hard times, good times we loved each other very much," she said. According to the report, the truck was traveling at 19 miles per hour when Henry exited the truck. Now that he is gone we're hearing more about someone who took advantage of the second or third or eighth chance the forgiving Bengals provided him. } We cry together, we pray together, we do everything together. After staining, normal brain cells are blue and uncluttered under a microscope, while Henry's brain cells were discolored, clumpy and filled with threads, according to the researchers. He was ejected from a game and suspended for another at West Virginia, where former coach Rich Rodriguez told Henry that he was an embarrassment to himself and the program. Weve been working on this for three-[to]-four years, and we finally got it done like six, seven months ago.. Chris Henry, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver who died in a traffic accident last year, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) -- a form of degenerative brain damage caused by multiple hits to the head -- at the time of his death, according to scientists at the Brain Injury Research Institute, a research center affiliated with West Virginia University. The Bengals wore round lapels with Henry's No. "I'm worth the chance," Henry said, when he showed up the following weekend for a rookie minicamp. (17 Dec 2009) HEADLINE: Neighbor describes accident scene-----CAPTION: A neighbor of Chris Henry on Thursday described the . He's sorry for them, apologized for them, and has done everything he can to make himself a better person. He nearly sank a lot of people, especially himself. Copyright 2010 WBTV. Henry jumped into the truck's bed. This all occurred over the course of three days. Henry was shy and spoke in a quiet voice. Many from Henry's hometown of Belle Chasse wore red ribbons with a small photo of Henry that read: "In loving memory" and "Chris 'Slim' Henry.". } "It's a bright story and one that didn't get to get all the way to the end of it, which is the most unfortunate part," the coach said. Everyone know me and Chris was best friends in college, Jones said. That was the Chris Henry nobody knew, player after player and even coach Marvin Lewis -- who grew sick of Henry's act in 2008 -- testified, in retrospect. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center inCharlottewhere he remained for 18 hours "before being declared brain dead" the medical report said. At the news conference, Glaspy said the results were a "big shock" because she knew nothing about her 26-year-old son's underlying condition or the disease. That hub of support is why the Bengals had no problem with Henry being in Charlotte, even though most players on injured reserve remain with the team while rehabbing every day, attending meetings, practices and home games. Lewis said before the service that Henry touched a lot of people in his very short life. We feel it in our hearts.". Brown said during a press conference on Thursday that Henry had restarted his life. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bengals players, coaches and members of the front office, as well as other NFL players including New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, were among those who attended. Hang onto those memories. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday. Legal Statement. ", "I kind of felt like I dug myself out of the hole and started doing the right things," Henry said in an interview with The Associated Press as training camp opened. Henry was unresponsive when paramedics arrived. In the final month of the season, he also showed his other side, getting arrested for marijuana possession. All of the conversation at the Bengals training facility on Thursday -- and their wasn't much because of the widespread grief -- was positive reflection, but Henry shouldn't be canonized. "If you only knew him by hearsay, you'd think he's some kind of ogre," Brown said, during the Bengals' appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. Jones career was reborn after Henrys passing, but he never stopped caring for the family his friend left behind. That his life was cut short just as he was turning it around made Henry's story so tragic, Goodell said. At the nucleus of that circle were his fiance, Loleini Tonga, their three young kids and Tonga's family in Charlotte. Henry's football career was marred by off-the-field problems, beginning when he played college ball at West Virginia. Henry, 26, was killed after he fell out of the bed of a pickup truck driven by Tonga during what police called a domestic . He had surgery and was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the game. Ex-Steeler Justin Strzelczyk, for example, was killed in 2004 after experiencing hallucinations, leading police on a high-speed chase for 40 miles before driving his car into a tanker truck. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son Police have not released the 911 tapes, and Harrington wouldn't say if the woman was present at the scene when police arrived. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Cincinnati's four preseason games. Tonga's Myspace page announced the couple had just bought their wedding ringsjust days before he died. We all family. pic.twitter.com/nywSiFdGhv. By Chris Murphy. Authorities have not announced the cause of death. Henry, 26, died on Dec. 17, 2009, a day after he either jumped or fell from the back of a moving pickup truck being driven by his fiance, Loleini Tonga. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Police said a dispute began at a home about a half-mile away, and Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his fiancee was driving away from the residence. Teammates noticed a pronounced change in his demeanor. Worse, no matter how hard Henry's teammates, coaches, and family and friends try to tell us about how good of a person Henry had become, it is painful irony that one of the last recordings of his life will be documented on yet another police report. "He's changed his life around. He was excited about his career. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. ET. That's why I got it.". Many others wore red ribbons with a small photo of Henry that read: "In loving memory" and "Chris 'Slim' Henry." Goodell said everyone makes . But first, a shvitz. His troubles continued during a five-year NFL career. This occurred after he fell from the back of a moving pickup truck, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. We lost one of us. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Henry become a vital part of the offense as a rookie, helping the Bengals reach the playoffs in 2005 with his ability to run past defenders to grab long passes. A neighbor said Wednesday that the Tonga family owns the home where police say the incident began. ", "I kind of felt like I dug myself out of the hole and started doing the right things," Henry said in an interview with The Associated Press as training camp opened. Lewis said a lot of Henry's issues were because of the folks he chose to surround himself with, especially those from his native Louisiana who counted on him to care for them, particularly after Hurricane Katrina. I just tell them I'm blessed. I'm just proud of him. Market data provided by Factset. Police are investigating, but no charges have been filed. Henry and former Tennessee cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones became the league's two most trouble-bound players. He played for five tumultuous seasons in the NFL; he was arrested five times during his pro career, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the first half of the 2007 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Henry, who grew up in nearby . His fiance, Loleini Tonga, told ESPN in January that Henry jumped, not fell, from the back of the truck while the two were having an argument. The former Cincinnati Bengals receiver is remembered fondly in the NFL community, but Henry was more than just a player. "We really lost a good friend, a brother, one of my best friends," said a watery-eyed Shelley. Tonga also said she wasn't driving fast whenHenrycame out of the truck. He left behind two sons, but an old friend is making sure they still get the wisdom of a football. Police said Tonga stopped to assist Henry when he fell about a half-mile from the home. Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads. UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. March 1, 2023. Adam 'Pacman' Jones might be tough on the outside, but he is now showing his most softest side when he revealed that he adopted former teammate Chris Henry's . He's a good person. In an interview with Shannon Sharpe, former Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said he has adopted both of Henrys sons earlier this year. "Whatever I can do to help anyone else who is going through this, I'm willing to do.". CHARLOTTE, NC (CBS/AP) The 911 calls relating to NFL star Chris Henry's death following a fight with his fiance, Loleini Tonga, have been released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. (17 Dec 2009) HEADLINE: Neighbor describes accident scene\r---------------------------------------\rCAPTION: A neighbor of Chris Henry on Thursday described the scene of the accident that took the football player's life, while a friend reflects on the receiver's life. Henry, 26, was killed after he fell out of the bed of a pickup truck driven by Tonga during what police called a domestic dispute. After a playoff loss to Pittsburgh, he was arrested on a gun charge in Florida. Then, as he tried his best to speak to the media, he fell apart in a matter of seconds. And I'm proud of that. "Saturday Night Live" funnyman Chris Farley followed his idol John Belushi to an early death via a drug overdose. The medical examiner concluded by saying the death was ruled accidental. Concussive hits can trigger a buildup of toxic tau protein within the brain, which in turn can create damaging tangles and threads in the neural fibers that connect brain tissue. BNO News is reporting that Chris Henry has died. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Henry was also an organ donor, and several of his organs, including his heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pancreas were all donated. Charlotte is home to his fiancee's parents. He was suspended five times for arrests ranging from weapons charges to drugs. . 15 2013, Updated 9:30 p.m. In cooperation with Loleini Tonga, the mother of Henrys children and his fiance at the time, Jones has had a hand in raising Henrys boys and is now their adopted father. Watch more at http://www.theyoungturks.com Follow us on Twitter. "Superimposed on the acute brain injuries Chris suffered when he died, there was fairly extensive damage throughout his brain that was fully consistent with CTE. And then this tragedy cut him down. He got into top shape and worked out with teammates in the offseason, showing more resolve than at any point in his career. Henry was only 26 years old. They warned him that he had to stay in control if he was going to stay in the NFL. A 911 caller told a dispatcher she saw a shirtless man wearing a cast "beating on the back of this truck window.". "We ask that you keep Chris' family especially the young children he leaves behind in your prayers," Simms said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Chris Henry DEAD: Car Accident Killed Bengals Receiver, Report Says. When he showed up in the locker room for the first time since surgery to fix the fracture, Henry sounded confident he could get through the latest setback. But in the final month of the season he was arrested for marijuana possession. At his home, high up in the hills of Los Angeles, the actor considers the first twenty years of his surprising careerincluding a very viral 2022and the next twenty. Dec 2009 ) HEADLINE: neighbor describes accident scene -- -- -CAPTION a! Assigned to the report, the speed limit on Oakdale Roadis 35.! 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