Bengals Release C. Henry

The Cincinnati Bengals released wide receiver Chris Henry today.

Henry surrendered to authorities Wednesday, according to police, after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging. According to court documents, Henry was alleged to have hit an 18-year-old man in the face and to have broken the man's car window with a beer bottle in an incident Monday in Cincinnati. He was jailed awaiting a court appearance today.

Henry, 24, was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the first half of this past season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Henry had been arrested four times in a span of 14 months.

He returned to catch 21 passes in the Bengals' final eight games. He had 88 receptions in three seasons with the team.

Bengals President Mike Brown said in a written statement: "Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated.

"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. 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. We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time we tried to help a young man.

"But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."

UPDATE (12:30 p.m.)...

The latest incident involving Henry puts him in jeopardy of further discipline by the league under the conduct policy. The policy, toughened by Goodell last year, empowers Goodell to banish a repeat offer from the league if he chooses. Goodell warned Henry in a letter when he suspended him last year that Henry was down to his final chance.

"I must emphasize to you that this is your last opportunity to salvage your NFL career," Goodell wrote in that letter dated April 10, 2007. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you in that effort."

Goodell suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones the same day and wrote a letter to Jones with an identical warning. Jones was suspended for all of this past season and still has not been reinstated by Goodell.

FURTHER UPDATE (4:00 p.m.)...

An attorney for Henry entered not guilty pleas on his behalf at a hearing today. Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard set bond at $51,000, ordered electronic monitoring if Henry makes bail and, according to reports by the Associated Press and other media outlets, noted Henry's previous arrests and called him "a one-man crime wave."

By Mark Maske |  April 3, 2008; 12:04 PM ET  | Category:  Bengals
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