Bengals take Henry’s death hard

Published 11:49 am Thursday, December 17, 2009

CINCINNATI — Teary Cincinnati Bengals players held a somber practice and dedicated the rest of their season to receiver Chris Henry after hearing that he’d died a day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during what police described as a domestic dispute.

Receiver Chad Ochocinco sniffled and blinked back tears, saying he didn’t see how “Chris was supposed to go already.” Henry died early Thursday at a hospital in Charlotte, N.C.

Ochocinco wore Henry’s white No. 15 practice jersey to an afternoon workout that was subdued — no joking, no laughing. The Bengals (9-4) can clinch the AFC North title with a victory on Sunday in San Diego.

Quarterback Carson Palmer says the team should dedicate the season to Henry and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife, who died in October.