CINCINNATI - Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was let go this week after the Bengals did a random background check on him.

The Bengals organization runs a background check on all new employees, but they also perform random background checks on current employees.

"I know this is going to be a surprise for everyone," said Bengals president Mike Brown, "But the background check revealed that our beloved wide receiver isn't exactly a law-abiding citizen."

"In fact, he's been arrested many times, all underneath our noses," said Brown, "Who knew?"

The wide receiver said he disagreed with the decision to fire him all because of a background check.   Henry told reporters on Friday that he had just been starting to turn over a new leaf - the 17th leaf, in fact - and that the Bengals organization had been like a friend to him.

"And what's a little assault and criminal damaging among friends?" said Henry.