President Mike Brown, April 3, 2008:
“Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated. The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL. We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time we tried to help a young man. But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team.”
Coach Marvin Lewis, July 2008
“I’m not interested. I don’t think it would be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player, and there’s responsibilities to being an NFL player. It’s a privilege, it’s not a right. There’s a lot that comes with being an NFL football player.”
And now today, it is official, Henry is back in Cincy. These are the kinds of things that you don’t see with franchises that are associated with winning. Yes, the owner is the one who is in charge and writing the checks but it reminds me of an old quote.
“If they want you to cook the dinner at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries.”
Parcells was right. These are the types of disputes that make players not take a coach seriously and that is the exact thing that is creating Cincy to be a laughingstock in the NFL. The players clearly do not respect their superiors.
I feel bad for Marvin Lewis. Hopefully someone will give this man another shot after this ship finally implodes.
