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Local fans stunned by news of Chris Henry's accident

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 12:32 AM Thursday, December 17, 2009

Cincinnati Bengals fans across Butler County were stunned Wednesday, Dec. 16, after hearing reports that wide receiver Chris Henry suffered “life-threatening injuries” in an accident in Charlotte, N.C.

“My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," said John Robinson, 34, of Hamilton.

Robinson learned through radio broadcasts and his Twitter account that Henry had suffered serious injuries after apparently falling out of the back of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee. As of presstime, the 26-year-old was reportedly alive, but “battling for his life.”

A fan since age 5, Robinson said he rarely misses a game and like many Bengals fans was enjoying the team’s successful 9-4 season.

Henry was a big part of that success, ranking fourth among Bengals receivers this season with 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns before breaking his forearm during a win over the Baltimore Ravens Nov. 8.

The season-ending injury and Wednesday’s accident come in Henry’s final contract year with the Bengals, who drafted him in the third round in 2005.

The Bengals released Henry in 2007 after his fifth arrest, but brought him back a few months later and he had stayed out of trouble since his return.

“He was doing fabulous this year and then he got hurt. He seemed like he had turned his life around and to now hear this," said Bill Downs, 57, of Middletown, a longtime Bengals fan.

“I really hate to hear this, because he started out the season so well. I hope everything is going to be OK ... I was looking forward to seeing him come back next year.”

Bengals fan Larry Muterspaw of Middletown calmed his wife, Kathy, Wednesday, after she heard unconfirmed reports that Henry had died.

The Muterspaws, who are season ticket holders, recently had dinner with Henry and several coaches in Cincinnati. Larry Muterspaw, 65, said Henry was quiet and nothing like the troubled man described in police reports.

“I hope he pulls through,” Muterspaw said.

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