An emotional speech from Chris Henry’s weeping fiancee capped a tearful funeral service on Tuesday as the American football receiver’s teammates and friends paid Henry a final tribute.
The 26-year-old Cincinnati Bengals standout died last Thursday, a day after suffering serious injuries after falling from the rear of a moving pickup truck during what police described as a domestic dispute with fiancee Loleini Tonga.
While police continue to investigate the incident that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, no charges have been filed in the death.
PHOTO: AFP
“Can’t nobody feel what I’m feeling right now,” Tonga said. “We loved each other very much. People say I helped change his life. No. He changed mine. We were supposed to get married in three months, but I’m going to wait until I see him again.”
Henry had been dropped from the Bengals after being arrested and suspended five times on charges such as drug and weapons possession, but Henry was given another chance and had made major changes in his life, raising three children with Tonga.
“His future as a husband and a father were important to him,” National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“He was a young man that struggled, made some decisions that he regretted, but he put himself on the right path. And I’m proud of that. I’m proud of him,” Goodell said.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis could only wonder what might have been had Lewis continued down the path as he had in recent years.
“It’s a bright story and one that didn’t get to get all the way to the end of it which is the most unfortunate part,” Lewis said. “We’ll miss Chris’ sparkling smile.”
Henry had 12 catches for 236 yards this season before suffering a broken left arm last month in a victory over Baltimore that ended his season.
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