[Quack Attack]

Henry again tests positive

The Broncos say they were unaware of the fact when they released the veteran.

By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/12/2008 06:18:07 PM MDT

The Broncos were not aware the NFL had ruled that Travis Henry tested positive for marijuana again prior to the team releasing the running back June 2, two NFL sources said. A source close to Henry confirmed the league said he tested positive for marijuana in May. However, procedure in such instances limits the league to send one letter to the players union and one letter to the player notifying him of the positive test. Because of the drug program's confidentiality agreement, no notification is sent to the team. "We didn't know about it, so that had nothing to do with (releasing Henry)," a Broncos official said. "He missed treatments and some workouts and just didn't get with the program. It finally got to the point where (Broncos coach Mike Shanahan) said good riddance."

If Henry is found guilty of testing positive, it would be his third offense, which in turn would result in a one-year suspension. The latest offense could well doom the career of Henry, who had three rushing seasons of at least 1,200 yards before he signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Broncos in March 2007.

He wound up receiving $6.7 million of that deal.
Besides Henry's off-field troubles — it was also revealed during a child support hearing last year that he has fathered nine children with nine women — he will turn 30 in October, a relatively advanced age for running backs.

Early last season with the Broncos, the league ruled that Henry had tested positive for low levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. However, Shanahan and attorney Harvey Steinberg successfully argued against the testing procedure and the ruling was overturned on appeal in December.
The league was not through with Henry, however. According to an NFL source, Henry missed three drug tests after winning his appeal. The league sent him notification that under the league's drug policy, a missed test is the equivalent of a positive reading.

The Broncos eventually were made aware of Henry's missed tests, which might explain why the team briefly considered Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart with their No. 12 pick in the NFL draft on April 26. Prior to the draft, however, Steinberg was able to successfully argue the league was testing Henry beyond the allotment in the collective bargaining agreement, that he was out of town during the alleged missed tests, and that all his other tests came out clean.

The league did not suspend Henry, and the Broncos wound up taking left tackle Ryan Clady with their No. 12 pick. The team had planned to open the season with Henry at running back, but that changed in late May when Henry pulled his hamstring prior to the team's offseason minicamps. He then came up with numerous excuses why he couldn't attend treatment.

At the time, Henry knew what the Broncos say they didn't know: The league said he again tested positive for marijuana.

[Quack Attack]

I know this article is a week old but just had to post it. Releasing Henry by the Broncos turned out to be a very smart move. If they had decided to keep Henry and depend on him playing, they likely wouldn't have picked up Pittman. He likely will be suspended for a year. What a shame really.

[Lefty Noob]

Crazy, isn't it? Henry had NFL level talent, but I don't see a team ever taking a chance on him again because he can't get clean!