NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley started and played Sunday because football is his escape, and he needed that more than ever after the shooting death of his older brother.
Henley delivered a strong performance with seven tackles, his third sack of the season, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit in the Chargers’ 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans.
“Right now, I’m just floating and the only thing that’s consistent right now in my life, and this is crazy to say, is football,” Henley said after the game. “So for me, that’s why I’m out there — this is the most consistent thing I’ve got in my life right now, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”
His older brother, Jabari, was killed Friday night in Los Angeles. Despite this tragic loss, Henley traveled with the Chargers and started the game.
Henley was the Chargers’ third-round pick in 2023 out of Washington State and has started every game since the start of the 2024 season.
His father, record executive Eugene “Big U” Henley, has worked with many prominent West Coast rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and the late Nipsey Hussle. Eugene also helped produce and was featured in the 2021 FX documentary series *Hip Hop Uncovered*.
In addition to his music career, Henley’s father is a former gang leader who was arrested in a drug sting and served 12 years of a 23-year sentence.
After the game, Daiyan Henley posted “Love you big bro” on social media.
It has been a challenging year for Henley, who played through illness in a 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the second game of the season. He said the Chargers organization has supported him throughout, from ownership to coaches.
Henley credited coach Jim Harbaugh for consistently being there for him.
“He’s probably been the first call I’ve gotten for every situation,” Henley said. “He’s been right there telling me to keep my head down, keep grinding, keep working, and try to stay consistent.”