Chad William Hennings, born on October 20, 1965, is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). But his story extends far beyond the football field. He is also a decorated Air Force pilot and an accomplished author. Hennings embodies a life of purpose, duty, and high achievement.
Chad Hennings at a speaking engagement
Early Life and Football Career
Imagine you’re a 5-star high school football recruit. Everyone wants you. Michigan. Ohio State. After being offered full scholarships from different universities he chose to attend the United States Air Force Academy, near Colorado Springs.
He was a sophomore tight end. "I ran routes until I puked," Chad said. 15-year-old Chad Hennings’ legs burned. Bench. Squat. Deadlifts. “Something happened,” he said. “I could feel strength coming on. I was faster. It was empowering.
He wins the heavyweight state championship. In Iowa. He’s an All-State Tight End. Senior: Leads the nation in sacks. Hennings was moved to defensive tackle in his sophomore season, became a starter and made the All--WAC second-team.
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That 1985 season was the greatest in Air Force history as the Falcons went 12-1, were conference co-champions, defeated Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and placed fifth in the final coaches poll. His senior year in 1987, he led the nation with 24 sacks, was a unanimous first-team All-American selection, received the Stan Bates Award as the conference's top scholar-athlete, earned defensive player of the year honors from the Western Athletic Conference and the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman.
Hennings is a member of the Western Athletic Conference all-time team and was named WAC defensive player of the decade for the 1980s. He was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and was in the inaugural class of the Air Force Academy Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Air Force Academy
Air Force Service
Facing an obligation to enter the Air Force upon graduating from the Academy, Hennings was selected in the 11th round of the 1988 NFL draft by the Cowboys. Hennings puts the NFL dream aside. He wants to fulfill his sense of purpose. Of duty. Air Force Academy in June 1988, Hennings entered undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita Falls, Texas, as part of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) Program conducted by the 80th Flying Training Wing.
ENJJPT is an elite program, and when his ground training studies faltered (he had been an honor student at AFA), his squadron commander isolated him from all contact regarding the Dallas Cowboys, who had drafted him in April 1989. After UPT, Hennings completed Lead-In Fighter Training and because of his size, was eligible only for F-111, F-15 Eagle, or A-10 Thunderbolt II RTU.
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While with the 92d TFS, Hennings deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. From April to June 1991, and October 1991 to January 1992, based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Henning flew 45 A-10 missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort, an effort that helped provide relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. He was twice awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, a humanitarian award and an Outstanding Unit Award for his actions in the service.
“The biggest challenge initially was having been drafted prior to graduating the Air Force Academy,” Hennings said. “I had the desire to see if I had the stuff to play in the NFL, but I knew I had a commitment to the Air Force.”
| Military Awards |
|---|
| Air Force Achievement Medal (2) |
| Humanitarian Award |
| Outstanding Unit Award |
Chad Hennings | From Air Force Fighter Pilot to NFL Champion #nfl #football #airforce
Return to the NFL
After the 1991 Gulf War, the United States military underwent an across the board reduction in budget and Hennings was able to have the remaining four years of his active-duty commitment (service academy and rated pilot) waived, which was unprecedented at the time. He trains. He prepares. The Cowboys are hesitant.
Within 6 months Chad goes from flying missions over Iraq to banging helmets in practice with Emmitt Smith. Michael Irvin. Leon Lett. He starts off as a special teams guy. Keeps working. In 1995, he registered his first starts while Leon Lett was serving a four-game suspension.
Dallas Cowboys logo
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Chad had a nine-year NFL career and won three Super Bowl Championships with the Dallas Cowboys. 3x Super Bowl Champ. Years come, years go. He spent nine seasons with the team, before retiring after missing half of the 2000 season with injuries.
“From Griffey and Prime Time to Jordan and Jeter, 1996 serves as a Vegas-style buffet of sports legend.
Author and Motivational Speaker
Following his football career, Hennings became a Christian motivational speaker and author. He published several books and currently manages a commercial real estate business. Chad has taken his message of character and leadership across the world at the invitation of some of the most distinguished audiences across the country. He is the president of Hennings Management Corporation.
Forces of Character: Conversations About Building A Life Of Impact
I co-wrote Chad Hennings’ book, Forces of Character, and I’ve always been fascinated with the life path that he took. FORCES OF CHARACTER presents a series of conversations with extraordinary individuals have lived a life of high moral and functional character; people who demonstrate habits of excellence consistently, who elevate their performance toward a noble purpose, and who begin lifting others to their highest potential.
Through candid interviews with the following luminaries, Chad Hennings explores the transformational moments, the mentors and the mindsets that have shaped each person's life:
- ASTRONAUT
- NFL HALL-OF-FAMER
- HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
- HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
- WHITE HOUSE HONOREE
- 5X NBA CHAMPIONSHIP COACH
- HOMELESS WARRIOR
- NFL HEAD COACH
- NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
- INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM FIGHTER
Table of Contents:
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAPTER 1 Roger Staubach
- CHAPTER 2 Tom Henricks
- CHAPTER 3 Virginia Prodan
- CHAPTER 4 Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
- CHAPTER 5 Bob Sweeney
- CHAPTER 6 Dr. Capt. (Separated)
“One of the best lessons I learned from a professional standpoint was that vision of who you profess to be is not just your aspiration and goals in the work force, but truly who you are in pursuit of those goals and aspirations.” Hennings challenges audiences to dare to be excellent and inspires businesses to create cultures of excellence.
Personal Life
Hennings is married and has two children. Chad and his wife, Tammy, have a son, Chase, and a daughter, Brenna.
In order to attain excellence one must first live a lifestyle of excellence. Excellence isn’t a destination; it’s an identity. Chad Hennings has lived this message through a nine year NFL career and three Super Bowl Championships with the Dallas Cowboys, 45 successful combat missions flying A10 jets with the Air Force, and as one of the most decorated college football players in NCAA history. Governmental agencies.
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