BRANDON HENDERSON: Free to start fresh again

Post by **PonyPride** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:34 pm

Early in his sophomore season at SMU, Brandon Henderson's world turned upside down when he was arrested. He sat in jail, thinking his football career - and perhaps his freedom - were over. But the legal process worked in his favor, and Henderson is back at SMU, getting ready for the 2012 season. He visited with PonyFans.com to talk about his ordeal and the events that led to his incarceration, and how the process affected his relationships on and off the field, and his outlook as he gets ready for the 2012 season.

Enjoy!

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Free to start fresh again

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:32 pm

Very moving and well done article.

Best wishes to Brandon.

ALEX LIFESON · Post by **ALEX LIFESON** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:47 pm

Great job, thank you!

Donnell88 · Post by **Donnell88** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:03 pm

Welcome back to SMU, Brandon. I'm glad to read that things have worked out for you and look forward to seeing you in a Mustang uniform.
Best wishes for the upcoming season.

Judge Donald R Gardner
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
SMU, 1973

ponyscott · Post by **ponyscott** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:59 pm

Wow brought tears to my eyes and I look forward to meeting his mom and girlfriend at the games in the fall! Great article and he is my new favorite Mustang!

Hilltopper · Post by **Hilltopper** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:56 pm

If Brandon plays half as well as he comes across as a young man, his future is exceedingly bright. What a terrific story this is.

Good luck, Brandon.

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:34 am

Brandon was a very promising player, when he was younger, and I'm thrilled to have him back for our defense.

It also should be noted that this story centers around a very sensitive issue and the lives of two young people, and you guys handled this story with great sensitivity and professionalism. Thank you for that.

Glad to have you back, Brandon!

Grant Carter · Post by **Grant Carter** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:39 am

Very glad to hear he is getting a second chance.

I was pretty surprised to see Mason talk about redshirting pope or Joyner. I like the fact that he is thinking about managing the roster across for the future.

StallionsModelT · Post by **StallionsModelT** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:38 am

What a terrible lesson to learn at such an early age but it sounds like Brandon has come out of it on the other side a better, stronger, and tougher human being. Best of luck to him and his amazing fiancee. Get that SMU education and have a terrific life.

Harry0569 · Post by **Harry0569** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:23 am

Excellent article.

Great job PP, and good luck Brandon. We will be cheering for you.

Junior · Post by **Junior** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:51 am

Best of luck, Brandon!

PonyFan · Post by **PonyFan** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:36 am

Grant Carter wrote:I was pretty surprised to see Mason talk about redshirting pope or Joyner. I like the fact that he is thinking about managing the roster across for the future.

That jumped out at me, too. The fact that he's able to even consider doing that speaks volumes about the quality of players backing up the starters. Getting a fifth year out of a guy like Joyner -- smart, tough players who will know the defense inside and out and will get that extra year in the weight room -- that could be huge for the long-term success of the defense after guys like Reed and Rogers and Davis graduate.

Let's also not lose sight of this: big round of applause to Mom and girlfriend for urging Brandon to come back and finish the degree he started at SMU. That will be more valuable than anything he does on the field ... although I expect a lot on the field, too!

Terrific work on this article.

westexSMU · Post by **westexSMU** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:56 pm

Moving article and very well written Pony Pride. Welcome back Brandon ! How many years does he have to play here, three ?

Post by **PonyPride** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:18 pm

Henderson has two years to play. He'll be a junior in 2012.

PSCA · Post by **PSCA** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:25 pm

Good for Brandon … he is a good kid and I’m glad the system worked. This is great news for him, great news for SMU, and a really nice feel good story for us.

A lot of positive momentum going into the fall (GG, healthy Zach, Margus’s development, this etc). Is our team getting stronger, and did an already stout "D" and LB crew just get stronger?

Is it too early to get my ankles taped