You'd think that facing the premature end of a successful NFL career because of a drug suspension, federal charges of cocaine trafficking and court date after court date related to your refusal to pay child support for your nine children would bring a man some perspective. Obviously Travis Henry beats to his own drummer.
The former Bills, Titans and Broncos running back spoke to the New York Times for a profile on his astounding trip from professional football hero to child support scofflaw. Henry contends that he's broke and needs to have the support demands lowered.
When confronted with his own extravagant spending, though, Henry was incredulous. He contends that spending $250,000 on jewelry "ain't a lot." It may not be a lot for a man who has a five-year, $25 million contract, but it is a lot when you don't take care of your other financial obligations.
Henry also detailed how a man winds up impregnating nine different women.
Henry maintained that he was involved long-term with many of the mothers. Some, he said, told him they were using birth control, and he professed surprise at discovering they became pregnant by him.
“I did use protection at first,” he said. “Then they’d be saying they’d be on the pill. I was an idiot to trust them. Second or third time with them, I didn’t use it. Then, boom!”
What's that old definition of crazy? Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result? Sadly mental midgetry isn't a legally binding argument to avoid paying child support.
There are points in the profile where it's easy to feel sympathy for Henry, who clearly never thought there'd be a day when he couldn't command huge sums of money for hitting the hole at a million miles an hour. Overall, though, it's impossible to shed too many tears for an adult who made bad decision after bad decision with absolutely no regard for the people left in his wake. Nine kids are growing up without a father and it's going to be impossible for Henry to ever fully fulfill his financial duties to them.
Sports
The silver lining to this mess? Henry is engaged, but he and his fiancee aren't planning on having any children.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
