Post by Funkytown on Oct 7, 2017 18:02:03 GMT -6
Linebacker in exile: Ex-Jet Erin Henderson returns home to rebuild life
Plenty more at the link: www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/71796/linebacker-in-exile-erin-henderson-returns-home-to-rebuild-life
Henderson's new team is his old team. He led the Aberdeen Eagles to their last state championship in 2004. And now he volunteers as an assistant coach, while he waits for an NFL team to call. He's a 31-year-old linebacker, young enough and good enough to be in the league, but his eight-year career veered into a dark alley last season. A bitter divorce from the New York Jets has ended up in the courts, and he's not sure when -- or if -- he'll get another chance to play. In the meantime, he's living at home with his father, a short walk from his old school.
"They know me here," Henderson told ESPN on Monday in his first interview in a year. "I either grew up with them or they watched me grow up. It's cool, man, to drive down the main street in Aberdeen, which isn't a very busy street at all, and all the people wave to you. It's a good feeling after feeling like you've been alienated."
By whom?
"You know who," he said tersely.
The Jets, he meant.
Jets left him 'very bitter'
After nearly 1½ seasons with the Jets, Henderson was mysteriously placed on the non-football injury list last Oct. 22, triggering a behind-the-scenes drama that ended with his attorney filing a lawsuit last week in New Jersey Superior Court. He's suing for wrongful termination and disability discrimination, claiming his bipolar disorder is the reason he was put on NFI and ultimately released when his 2017 option wasn't exercised. He's seeking to recoup $3.3 million in lost and unpaid salary, plus punitive damages.
On the advice of his attorney, Henderson declined to discuss the specifics of the case, but he's "very bitter," according to his agent, Jim Chapman.
"It's really sad, because he loved that 2015 team," Chapman said. "Now he feels like those guys totally turned their back on him."
As much as he enjoys teaching and coaching, Henderson believes he should be 170 miles to the north in Florham Park, New Jersey, the Jets' headquarters. On Monday, it would've been film work and conditioning after a Jets win. It was the same drill at his old high school, except he was instructing, not running. As players ran gassers up a steep hill near the football field, he shouted encouragement and good-natured razzing.
Erin Henderson led the Jets in tackles last season before being placed on the non-football injury list. AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Henderson would like to get into full-time coaching, but he believes there's still football left in his body. In his final two games, he started at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles. Then, on the eve of a home game against the Baltimore Ravens, he was informed of his NFI designation. He didn't get an explanation from the team, his agent said.
"They know me here," Henderson told ESPN on Monday in his first interview in a year. "I either grew up with them or they watched me grow up. It's cool, man, to drive down the main street in Aberdeen, which isn't a very busy street at all, and all the people wave to you. It's a good feeling after feeling like you've been alienated."
By whom?
"You know who," he said tersely.
The Jets, he meant.
Jets left him 'very bitter'
After nearly 1½ seasons with the Jets, Henderson was mysteriously placed on the non-football injury list last Oct. 22, triggering a behind-the-scenes drama that ended with his attorney filing a lawsuit last week in New Jersey Superior Court. He's suing for wrongful termination and disability discrimination, claiming his bipolar disorder is the reason he was put on NFI and ultimately released when his 2017 option wasn't exercised. He's seeking to recoup $3.3 million in lost and unpaid salary, plus punitive damages.
On the advice of his attorney, Henderson declined to discuss the specifics of the case, but he's "very bitter," according to his agent, Jim Chapman.
"It's really sad, because he loved that 2015 team," Chapman said. "Now he feels like those guys totally turned their back on him."
As much as he enjoys teaching and coaching, Henderson believes he should be 170 miles to the north in Florham Park, New Jersey, the Jets' headquarters. On Monday, it would've been film work and conditioning after a Jets win. It was the same drill at his old high school, except he was instructing, not running. As players ran gassers up a steep hill near the football field, he shouted encouragement and good-natured razzing.
Erin Henderson led the Jets in tackles last season before being placed on the non-football injury list. AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Henderson would like to get into full-time coaching, but he believes there's still football left in his body. In his final two games, he started at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles. Then, on the eve of a home game against the Baltimore Ravens, he was informed of his NFI designation. He didn't get an explanation from the team, his agent said.
... and neither is this Chris guy.