Because I Like To Rant About Players Leaving The Packers » Brats & Beer

March 11, 2007
posted under: Packers, William Henderson

I went on at some length earlier in the week about Ahman Green leaving Green Bay to be a free agent at Houston, but due to general busyness and such I completely missed the fact that William Henderson was cut from the roster a couple days ago. And if that event went by with a comment, then this would be one sorry-assed Packers blog.

For my money, Henderson was the heart and soul of the Green Bay Packers over the past decade. Yes, Brett Favre has been the face of the organization, but Henderson embodied the spirit and the heritage of the franchise. Each week on the field he put on a display of old-school, smashmouth football, whether he was opening a hole in the line, challenging linebackers as lead blocker on a sweep, or pummeling blitzers in pass protection.

The best, though, was when Henderson would get the call in the huddle and take a little swing pass about ten yards downfield. The play would usually end with him delivering a punishing hit to a DB or a linebacker, or sometimes leaping over a defender for a few extra yards. He was a hell of a player and he will be missed by Packer fans and the Packer organization.

I realize the team had roster cuts to make, and at 36-years old Henderson was probably at the top of their list. I just hope that they can find a way to keep him around the organization as a coach or a consultant. The excellent Cheese & Packers opined in a post on the fullback getting cut that Henderson was “someone that you should have a chance to run into when going out for a slice of pie or grabbing the newspaper in Green Bay.” I couldn’t agree more. But whatever his plans are, I wish him the best.