Travis Henry, originally uploaded by omarphillips.

Yesterday while eating breakfast and reading the Washington Post, I spotted an article about Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry, my second pick in a fantasy football draft two days earlier.

Broncos’ Henry Won’t Be Punished

Associated Press
Thursday, August 30, 2007; Page E08

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry’s child support judgments might expose him to catcalls across the league this season, but they don’t put him in line for disciplinary action by the NFL.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported over the weekend that court documents in a Georgia child support case show Henry, 28, has fathered nine children by nine women in four southern states and has been ordered to pay child support for seven of them.

He also had to borrow money from his former team, the Tennessee Titans, to fulfill one of those judgments, according to court records.

The revelations came in a case in which a judge in DeKalb County, Ga., last week ordered Henry to provide $3,000 a month and fund a $250,000 trust by the spring for a boy he fathered out of wedlock three years ago with Jameshia Beacham, now 29.

My immediate reaction was relief that I wouldn’t lose a player who I was counting on to contribute significantly this year. But after thinking about the situation a little longer, I decided this guy wasn’t someone I wanted on my team, even if it’s just fantasy football. I was appalled by Henry’s behavior. But even more alarming was the fact that a football player who is making $12 million in guaranteed bonuses wasn’t paying his child support.

Last night I traded Henry and a couple other players (Donte’ Stallworth and Maurice Morris) for a player I find obnoxious, but who at least doesn’t lead a disgraceful personal life like Henry. My new No. 1 wide receiver is the Bengals’ Chad Johnson, who I got along with LaMont Jordan and Michael Turner. I’m much happier to have rid myself of Travis Henry, and even if he does make me regret it with a great season on the field, at least I won’t be condoning his behavior off it.