Players, Coaches React to Henry's Death

"Chris was a very, very good friend of mine. We were extremely close. It's sad to see it come to this point ... I told him I was good. We talked before every game to say, 'Go out there and handle your business.' I don't know what else to say, you know? He had been doing everything right. He's been doing everything right. My grandma always says you never really question the Man upstairs on decisions he makes, because he never makes mistakes, but ... I don't see how Chris was supposed to go already. Especially when you're on the right path."

"We are greatly saddened by today's tragic news about the loss of Chris Henry. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris' family, including his Bengals family. We have been in contact with the Bengals to offer our support through this difficult time."

"The NFL Players Association is deeply saddened by the news of Chris Henry's passing this morning. We were all shocked and dismayed to hear of this horrific tragedy. Chris was a fine player, but more importantly a fine person. On behalf of all NFL players, we would like to express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all of the fans he inspired across the country."

"It is with great sadness to learn Chris has passed away. For those who knew Chris, he was nothing like his public perception. A loving and caring individual, he was thankful for what he had in life, and proud of what he had overcome.

"Nobody worked harder to rehabilitate his image than Chris. He realized he made mistakes and made positive changes to his life. As a result of these changes, he had become a man that all Bengals, and NFL, fans could be proud of.

"We ask that you keep Chris' family – especially the young children he leaves behind – in your prayers. It is tragic when a life is taken so young. He was a man just realizing his potential, not just in football, but in life.''

"Here at the Bengals, we knew Chris as a teammate and a close friend. To us, he was a warm, pleasant and easygoing person. He was popular with the players, coaches and team management. This is a painful feeling, a tragedy, and we will miss him.

"People were surprised that we stood by Chris during his problems. The reason was, we knew Chris to be different than his public persona. To the best of his ability, Chris reached out to the team, his friends and his family. Everyone tried to help, and sometimes it went awry. But Chris' heart was always in the right place. He was a good person, and he was on the road to doing well in his football career.''

"We had seen Chris expand this year as both a person and on the field. He had grown and matured. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Chris' family and to everyone else who held him dear."

"It's definitely a shock to everybody," said Washington, who spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons in Cincinnati with Henry. "He was a young man who, it seemed, had his life turned around for the better -- for him, his family and his career. For something tragic like this to happen caught a lot of people off-guard. It just really wakes you up -- not just as a professional athlete, but as someone in relationships and as a man. It's definitely tough."

"The entire Mountaineer football family is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Chris Henry. He is in my thoughts, as well as those of his former teammates, right now. We say 'Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer,' and Chris was a big part of our success during his time here. For me, he was a real joy to be around on a daily basis. He always came to work and loved to play football. Our hearts and prayers go out to his mother and family. He will be greatly missed."

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chris Henry. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his fiancé, children and their families as they deal with this sudden and tragic loss.

"I enjoyed our time together at West Virginia, and we shared a lot of great moments. I have many fond memories of our three years together and will remember those forever. Chris will be missed by many, and he will always have a place in my heart."

"I am in shock over the news of Chris Henry's passing. I remember recruiting Chris to West Virginia like it was yesterday. He came from a humble background and was a wonderful young man and football player. Chris was like a son to me, and I will cherish all the great memories that I have of him. His family is in my thoughts and prayers."

"It's sad. He was a talented guy. When I played with him he was a good guy, quiet in the locker room. He kept to himself for the most part. From everything that it sounded like, he was getting back on track and this happens. My feelings go out to him and his family."

"I was sad to hear (the news). You hate to see somebody go. He was a good guy. We've all made bad decisions throughout our life, but he grew from it, he learned from it and he had a family, so I'm definitely sad to hear that happen. I knew him very well. I'm just sad to hear that and I'll pray for him; I'll pray for everybody."

"It's just sickening. Chris was such a wonderful guy to be around. I know everyone in that locker room absolutely loved him. It's just disheartening. It's terrible. I knew him pretty decent. He was just so pleasant to be around, so easy to be around. It's just so sad. I know he went through a lot of trouble in his life and he's just such a good person, even all the trouble he went through, it [stinks] this is when it happened.

"He was working really hard to change his life. That was probably the saddest part; he was such a great guy. He was incredibly talented. His potential was unbelievable.''