Travis Henry Gets 3 Years on Cocaine Trafficking Charges

In his seven-year NFL career, Travis Henry rushed for more than 1,350 yards three times. After stints in Buffalo and Tennessee, his last carry came with the Broncos in 2007.

Then-coach Mike Shanahan explained that Henry was released less than a year after the Broncos signed him because the running back lacked commitment. Maybe at his day job, but that certainly wasn't the case in all aspects of Henry's life; in March we learned that he had 11 kids by 10 women, so he's clearly committed to something.

As it turns out, his astounding ability to procreate is the least of his worries, even though there was a time, after signing a five-year, $25 million deal, when he couldn't afford to make his child support payments (although, oddly, it didn't prevent him from dropping $250K on jewelry).

After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Henry, he turned to the streets. Specifically, cocaine trafficking and all the trappings that go with it. Like, say, threatening to kill those customers who didn't pay in a timely fashion.

And now, less than two years since he last played an NFL down, Henry's headed to the joint. Via the Denver Post:

Henry has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for financing a drug trafficking operation that moved cocaine between Denver and Billings.

Henry, 30, of Frostproof, Fla., was arrested by federal drug agents last October-just a few months after the running back's release from the Denver Broncos.

He pleaded guilty in April to a single count of trafficking cocaine. In handing down Wednesday's sentence, U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull also gave Henry five years of probation upon his release and recommended that he enter a 500-hour drug treatment program.

SI.com's Ross Tucker, who also played in the NFL, Tweets that, "It is sad to see what T-Hen has become. He is not a malicious guy, just makes very poor choices."

Which is what you could also say about Pacman Jones, Michael Vick and Maurice Clarett. Upshot: all the extra time will give Henry a chance to start that blog he's been talking about.

Athletes in Trouble With the Law

July 15: Former NFL running back Travis Henry Henry is sentenced to three years in federal prison for financing a drug trafficking operation. Click through to see more sports figures who ran into trouble with the law.

Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

July 14: Former Brazilian soccer star Romario is arrested for allegedly failing to make child support payments.

Ricardo Moraes, AP

July 14: Former NBA star Antoine Walker faces criminal charges stemming from $822,500 in gambling debts. Prosecutors say he failed to make good on 10 checks totaling $1 million written to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort.

Joe Murphy, NBAE / Getty Images

July 9: Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith was given a 90-day suspended jail sentence for his DUI conviction.

Chris O'Meara, AP

July 2: Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz was arrested on charges of domestic battery against his ex-wife, just two months before his trial on a DUI manslaughter charge was set to begin.

Larry Marano, Getty Images

June 30: Nuggets star J.R. Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail for causing an auto accident that killed his friend. The judge suspended 60 days of the sentence provided Smith performs 500 hours of community service.

Chris Carlson, AP

June 22: Former USC player Stais Boseman, seen here in a 1996 photo, was arrested for investigation of carjacking.

J.D. Cuban, Getty Images

June 16: Mel Hall, who played for four teams in his 13-year major league career, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he coached on a basketball team a decade ago. He was sentenced to 45 years in jail.

Ray Stubblebine, AP

June 17: Former quarterback Ryan Leaf, seen here after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1998, was arrested at the Canadian border on drug and burglary charges. He was wanted in the state of Texas.

Mark Lennihan, AP

June 16: NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth, left, pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and will serve 30 days in jail.

Alan Diaz, AP