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And just like that he is gone forever.  Chris Henry was pronounced dead early this morning less than 24 hours after being ejected from the back of a pickup truck in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The man known by teammates and fans as SLIM passed away today in one of the most tragic accidents in Bengals history.  

When it came to talent Chris Henry had it all.  At 6'4" and 200 pounds Henry had the ability to stretch defenses and had game changing speed to break away from smaller defenseless cornerbacks. Quarterback Carson Palmer called him Randy Moss Jr. and before breaking his forearm earlier in the season, Henry led the NFL in yards per catch. Blessed with as much talent as anybody in the NFL, Henry's off the field troubles constantly overshadowed the true personality hidden beneath his gruff exterior.  

For players who knew him, Henry was a quiet man who kept to himself. 

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth described the impact Henry had not only on himself, but on the team as a whole.  "Chris is Chris.  He's personable with the guys but he's quiet," Whitworth said.  "You could tell he missed being out there with us.  He was supportive.  He's a big part of what we are.  I really admire how he carries himself, how he's changed his life, and how he's made his career his passion.  That's what this team has done.  He's one of the guys that has helped give this team that attitude."  

To say he was a changed man would be an understatement.  Over the past year Chris Henry had completely turned his life around. He had become a family man and was engaged to be married in March.  Teammates and those close to him explained that he was nothing like the public perception.

"Nobody worked harder to rehabilitate his image than Chris."  

"A loving and caring individual, he was thankful for what he had in life and proud of what he had overcome," said Henry's agent.  "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."  

Coach Marvin Lewis said Thursday in a press conference that the players "watched Chris mature as a young man and work through adversity and kind of come out of it as a beacon of hope for other people."  

Before the 2009 season Henry got a tattoo below his left ear that matched his new outlook.  In flowing one-inch script reads the word 'Blessed'. 

His presence will certainly be missed on the field, but much more importantly the impact off the field will be felt for months and years to come.  He will never realize his full potential on the field, but he will not live to see his three young children grow up.  

A teary eyed Chad Ochocinco stood by his locker and spoke with reporters.  "He will be missed," Ochocinco said.

The only times I have ever seen Chris Henry were in the summers during Bengals training camp.  He was always one of the first players to come over for autographs and genuinely cared about the fans.  Even in the middle of all his troubles, he was there for those who supported him.  After turning his life around and making a complete 180 he is now gone forever.  He will never be forgotten and will always be remembered for the man he became over the past 12 months.  

RIP Chris Henry.  You will always have a special place in the hearts of Bengals fans.  

Tags: carson palmer, charlotte, chris henry, cincinnati bengals, marvin lewis, mike brown, north carolina, slim