By Tim Graham
Travis Henry will turn 34 years old in October and hasn't played an NFL down in five years. He has been in prison for cocaine trafficking.
But Henry, once a dominant running back for the Buffalo Bills, wants to play again. Formerly incarcerated stars Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress are Henry's inspiration for gridiron redemption.
"In my time away, people would know who I was and talk in a disappointed way like I threw away my career," Henry told Pascoe Tribune correspondent Andy Villamarzo in New Port Richey, Fla. "It just haunts me when I think about it. I see guys like Vick and Burress and say 'Why can't that be me?' "
Henry already has filed his NFL paperwork and has been reinstated to play as long as a team is willing to sign him.
Henry has a bunch of reasons to get back to work. By last reported count, Henry has 11 kids with 10 women. Twins ruined his one-and-done streak with children Nos. 10 and 11. ESPN reported he owned $17,000 a month in child support in 2009.
He's working with local trainer Rob Oppedisano to try to find a semblance of NFL form.
In 2002 and 2003 for Buffalo, he rushed for 2,794 yards and 23 touchdowns and added 71 catches for 467 yards and two TDs.
''People make mistakes,'' Henry said. ''It's what you do after to get back up. I just want to show young kids that people make mistakes and you can get up and you can fight. You can't ever let anyone tell you 'You can't' because, trust me, a lot people told me that being reinstated was going to be impossible."
