Regretfully.....

Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, passed away last night after falling out of a moving truck bed. This hits me particularly hard. I missed the opportunity to praise Mr. Henry, after I have spent a long time calling him a thug and a waste of a roster space. Something different happened this year with Chris Henry and I conveniently overlooked the chance to prove I was wrong.

From 2006-2008 Chris Henry had been suspended for 14 games. He was a constant distraction and I took advantage of the situation to point out what is wrong with men in professional sports. But at that point Henry was only 23-25 years old. But when he re-signed with the Bengals earlier this year I said nothing. When it was obvious that Chris had changed off the field, avoiding trouble and raising his kids, I said nothing. When his performance on the field lived up to the expectations of his talent, I said nothing.

Chris Henry proved everything that I try to preach to young people. You can change your life with some hard-work, and some personal sacrifice. I am ashamed of myself mostly that, while I am quick to jump on the hate-wagon when these guys mess up, but my words are completely absent when they do the right thing. It is despicable considering i counsel young men to do their best to be positive. It is sad to see the young man pass away. I am not sure of all the details, but Chris Henry was on the right track with his whole life ahead of him. Hopefully his family will be comforted in this moment of sadness. He truly took full advantage of his opportunities, and he changed his life.

Live like no one is watching, and take every opportunity to praise the good, and skip some of the opportunity to tear some down, because you may end up eating crow!