When you see an article that's headlined "Henry in trouble again" you're thinking that he was arrested. Perhaps he waved a lugar. Perhaps he picked up a DUI. Perhaps he had a pipe hanging out of his mouth as he made a visit to the police station to visit some friends. Personally, I thought he was playing real life Grand Theft Auto. All of this is ridiculous assumptions. I'll bet, however, that it didn't escape your mind. I'll bet that you thought the same thing I did, "well, there goes his career."
Then you actually read the article and see that USA Today -- one of thousands of publications in the mainstream media that's suffocating from the presence of blogs and thrashing about like children because of the blog presence -- tells the entire world (by way of the AP) that Chris Henry had expired plates. Yes. Expired plates. After paying a $149 fine, the issue, from the eyes of the court, is resolved. It's done. Finished. That didn't stop the actual article from having two paragraphs about the expired plates and three regarding his history. Henry's expired plates even prompted the Associated Press to leave a message to Henry's agent asking for comment.
Good lord. Henry never helped his own cause by doing the things he's done. In a way, it's his own bed. But does anyone truly give two damns if Henry has expired plates. Perhaps he was three miles over the speed limit. Will that prompt a front page headline on ESPN.com?
And the sad part is that I wouldn't be surprised if Goodell suspends Henry for having expired plates. Though I don't anticipate it.