Aaron Henry shares how Illinois program lifted him up through tragedy

CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) – It was a tough week for defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who’s sister suddenly passed away.

Henry said he’s gotten a lot of support from head coach Bret Bielema, athletic director Josh Whitman, and the rest of the staff.

Henry shared what his sister meant to him and one of the lasting memories she gave him.

“When I was a child, my sister, me and her bedrooms were right next to each other, she had twin beds in her room and we were living with our grandmother and I used to get scared all of the time as a kid and I would go into her bedroom she would just comfort me and there’s a lot of peace in regards to her being gone because she was such a caretaker you know and, it was difficult. It’s still been difficult, I’m still having moments. I just hope she knew that she was loved and I’m relatively at peace knowing she did believe in Jesus. “

“When I was a child, my sister, me and her bedrooms were right next to each other, she had twin beds in her room and we were living with our grandmother and I used to get scared all of the time as a kid and I would go into her bedroom she would just comfort me and there’s a lot of peace in regards to her being gone because she was such a caretaker you know and, it was difficult,” Henry said.

“It’s still been difficult, I’m still having moments. I just hope she knew that she was loved and I’m relatively at peace knowing she did believe in Jesus.”

Henry’s defense has shined thus far, but is tasked with slowing down a Husker offense scoring 34 points a game through three games heading into this game.

Friday’s game in Lincoln will be the first top-25 matchup the Illini have played in since 2008.

The Illini DC said he hates how teams that get ranked in the polls can become overconfident, something he’s hoping this Illinois team can avoid.

“They’re gonna get DMs and pats on the back and all of this and that, and like that don’t matter right now,” Henry said.

“What matters is the task at hand. Love it for the university. Love it for recruiting. I love it all, but just in terms of the right now with our players, getting them focused on the right now and the task at hand.”

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