Bengals wide receiver dies at age 26

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died Thursday morning, one day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during a domestic dispute with his fiance, dpa reported.

The accident took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Henry, 26, reportedly jumped into the back of the truck his fiance was driving. He suffered serious injuries when he fell out and was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

The news devastated a team that has gone 9-4 so far this season and is likely headed to the playoffs for the first time in years.

Teammate Chad Ochocinco, who had spoken with Henry as recently as Tuesday, made an emotional appearance before cameras to discuss the death of his close friend.

"It's sad to see that it has come to this point," Ochocinco said. "I don't see how Chris was supposed to go already, especially when he was on the right path."

A prolific American football wide receiver, Henry often encountered problems off the field, including several arrests for offences such as driving under the influence, marijuana possession, assault and criminal damaging.

As a result of his problems with the law the Bengals released him in April 2008. The National Football League suspended him for a total of 14 games during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons for off-the-field issues.

The Bengals re-signed him in August 2008 after he promised to stay out of trouble and clean up his public image. In the 2009 season, he had 12 receptions for 236 yards and two touchdowns before he was sidelined after breaking his arm in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 22.

Teammates and coaches noted that despite his image, he was making great strides in improving as a football player as well as a person.

Bengals President Mike Brown said he will always picture Henry "catching a pass" and "running around the field the way he did."

"What I saw was a good person at heart. Sometimes he wasn't described that way but that's how I knew him," he said.