DENVER (MyFOXColorado.com) – Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry tested positive for marijuana use just prior to being released by the team last month, FOX 31 Sports has learned.
Henry, 29, was released by the Broncos on June 2nd just one year into a five-year, $22.5 million deal. At the time, head coach Mike Shanahan cited a lack of commitment.
A highly-placed NFL source told FOX 31’s Josina Anderson that Henry tested positive for marijuana in May 2008, indicating the Broncos likely knew about the failed drug test prior releasing him.
“Henry’s most recent result came before the Broncos released him,” the source said.
Henry’s departure came on the same day it was learned that Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman would be suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Thurman had been released by the Bengals two weeks prior, with the team also citing his work ethic. Thurman’s suspension raised suspicions in Denver that Henry was released in advance of another positive drug test.
In December 2007, Henry successfully appealed a previous positive marijuana test which could have resulted in a one-year suspension. Henry’s attorneys demonstrated a lapse in the NFL’s discovery process, allowing their client to continue to play.
Henry led the NFL in rushing after the first month of the 2007 season before leg injuries and off-the-field troubles began to take their toll. The Broncos finished 7-9 and missed the postseason.
After Henry missed passing camp in late May due to a hamstring injury, head coach Mike Shanahan said this on the day of Henry’s release:
"He's just too inconsistent as a person. When you're too inconsistent as a person, you usually aren't going to win championships.”
"I'm not going to get into details what he did do or didn't do. You have to do little things. If you don't do the little things, obviously you can't count on somebody. So that's why he's released," Shanahan said on June 2nd.
The Broncos declined to comment on whether Henry’s release was related to the drug test.
Henry, 29, was released by the Broncos on June 2nd just one year into a five-year, $22.5 million deal. At the time, head coach Mike Shanahan cited a lack of commitment.
A highly-placed NFL source told FOX 31’s Josina Anderson that Henry tested positive for marijuana in May 2008, indicating the Broncos likely knew about the failed drug test prior releasing him.
“Henry’s most recent result came before the Broncos released him,” the source said.
Henry’s departure came on the same day it was learned that Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman would be suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Thurman had been released by the Bengals two weeks prior, with the team also citing his work ethic. Thurman’s suspension raised suspicions in Denver that Henry was released in advance of another positive drug test.
In December 2007, Henry successfully appealed a previous positive marijuana test which could have resulted in a one-year suspension. Henry’s attorneys demonstrated a lapse in the NFL’s discovery process, allowing their client to continue to play.
Henry led the NFL in rushing after the first month of the 2007 season before leg injuries and off-the-field troubles began to take their toll. The Broncos finished 7-9 and missed the postseason.
After Henry missed passing camp in late May due to a hamstring injury, head coach Mike Shanahan said this on the day of Henry’s release:
"He's just too inconsistent as a person. When you're too inconsistent as a person, you usually aren't going to win championships.”
"I'm not going to get into details what he did do or didn't do. You have to do little things. If you don't do the little things, obviously you can't count on somebody. So that's why he's released," Shanahan said on June 2nd.
The Broncos declined to comment on whether Henry’s release was related to the drug test.
