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Chris Henry's Fiancée: He Changed My Life

Family, teammates remember him at funeral

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2009 5:32 PM CST
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(Newser) – Chris Henry's friends and family bid him farewell today, less than a week after the 26-year-old NFL player died after falling out of a pickup truck. "People say I helped change his life," said his fiancée, Loleini Tonga. "No. He changed mine." Mourners clapped briefly as she returned to her seat, reports AP. She was driving the truck at the time, and police are investigating but haven't filed any charges.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer also spoke. "He walked past my locker every day to shake my hand as I said, 'Good morning,' and every day he said, 'What's up, cuz,'" Palmer said. "We've all seen and experienced different sides of Chris, and with every side he showed us, we saw just how kind and gentle his heart was."

Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, second from left, is comforted while viewing teammate Chris Henry before a memorial service.
Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, second from left, is comforted while viewing teammate Chris Henry before a memorial service.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Mourners gather before the memorial service.
Mourners gather before the memorial service.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, hugs a mourner before the memorial service.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, hugs a mourner before the memorial service.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Daughter Seini Henry show her father a message before his memorial service.
Daughter Seini Henry show her father a message before his memorial service.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Daughter Seini Henry looks at a message she wrote to her father.
Daughter Seini Henry looks at a message she wrote to her father.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, visits with Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, visits with Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
A ribbon in memory of Chris Henry.
A ribbon in memory of Chris Henry.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hugs Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hugs Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Loleini Tonga, fiancee, holds their daughter Seini.
Loleini Tonga, fiancee, holds their daughter Seini.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
prowlerzee
Dec 23, 2009 6:16 AM CST
You're reading CONDENSED news. If you want details, go read them at the source.
prowlerzee
Dec 23, 2009 6:11 AM CST
But Sarah Palin's children are fair game to you? Sorry, but you have a lonnnnng way to go before you grow up. I'm sure your mother did her very best with you. You should try to repay her effort already, brat.
JesusLovesSomeOfYou
Dec 23, 2009 3:07 AM CST
OK, so I made that comment without thinking about it and THEN looked at the pictures and saw his daughter with her dead father behind her and now I wish I could take it back... hope that's worth something. Thumb down.

 
Chris Henry • Cincinnati Bengals • funeral • Carson Palmer • Chris Henry accident • Loleini Tonga

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