During Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henry faced a heavy emotional burden after learning about his brother’s murder earlier that week. His older brother, Jabari, was shot in Los Angeles on Friday night while the NFL players were in Nashville for the matchup.
Teammate Denzel Perryman advised him to reach out to his mother while they were at the hotel. Henry described his reaction to the tragic news as “knee-jerk.” According to police, Jabari Henry was shot multiple times as he approached his car, and no suspects have been identified yet.
Henry opted to play the game instead of heading home, expressing, “I’m just floating right now. The only thing that’s consistent in my life, and it’s funny to say this, is football. So, for me, that’s why I’m out there.” He aimed to focus on the game, saying it was his way of coping during such a tumultuous time.
In the 27-20 victory, Henry recorded seven tackles and one sack. After taking down Titans quarterback Cam Ward, he paused to kneel and pray. “I just wanted to talk to my brother again,” he said, reflecting on the significance of the moment. “Just to lose him so quickly and to be able to play on a day like this was emotional for me. It’s been a long year, so I just had to say a prayer. Hopefully, he heard that.”
He acknowledged that Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh played a crucial role in helping him navigate this difficult period. Henry noted, “He was probably the first phone call I got in any situation. He was there the whole time and just told me to keep my head down, keep trying, and remain consistent.”
