The return of Chris Henry

The late Chris "Slim" Henry

The Cincinnati Bengals recently re-signed troubled receiver Chris Henry. He has been arrested at least five times since 2005. His latest arrest got him cut from the team earlier this year. The local sports radio talking heads spent the entire day discussing the decision.

Although some fans supported the decision, most callers were angry.

I have listened to both sides of the argument. One side believes Henry is nothing more than a thug impersonating an NFL player. The other side doesn't care about player issues...they just want a Super Bowl victory.

Bengals ownership believe Henry can contribute immediately after he completes his four game suspension.

I have no personal stake in the business so personnel decisions mean nothing to me. I take the stance that playing in the NFL is a privilege and not an entitlement. Anyone who gets paid millions to play a child’s game is fortunate. Most working stiffs never get the opportunity to be a professional athlete.

They get stuck toiling away at some lousy job making peanuts on the hour. Here is the fact that many fans can’t seem to understand...the NFL is a financial juggernaut. 

Although fans complain about their team, they always return. The same fans, dismayed by Henry’s signing aren't giving up their season tickets or burning their team jerseys. These same fickle fans will love Chris Henry if he catches 80 passes and scores 10 touchdowns.

A fan with high moral beliefs will throw them out the window for a team full of convicts if they can win a Super Bowl.

In reality, no fan want to see a team full of good citizens who lose regularly.

Fans are emotionally charged and don't always think rationally, which is why they are fans and not NFL executives. I think the whole situation can be summed up by a phone conversation I heard on a local sports radio program.

The caller said he wasn’t expecting Henry to raise his kids. He just wants to see Henry catch a football and score a touchdown. Go Bengals!