Chad William Hennings, born on October 20, 1965, is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He is an accomplished individual with a diverse background, marked by success in athletics, military service, and business. Hennings' life story exemplifies commitment, leadership, and a desire to give back to the community.
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.
Hennings' journey began in Iowa, where he grew up on a farm. This upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic, which he carried throughout his life. "I grew up on a farm in Iowa where I learned the great American work ethic demonstrated by my father and grandfather", Hennings said. He excelled in athletics at Benton Community High School, becoming an all-state football player and heavyweight wrestling champion during his senior year.
Despite receiving numerous full-ride scholarship offers from various universities, Hennings chose to attend the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs. "To serve is a privilege and a noble pursuit," he said.
Chad Hennings: A-10 Pilot, 3x Super Bowl Champion
Collegiate Career
Chad Hennings played defensive lineman for the Air Force Academy Falcons and is the most celebrated football player in Academy history, where he started from 1983-87.
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Hennings was moved to defensive tackle in his sophomore season, became a starter and made the All--WAC second-team. In 1985, during Hennings' sophomore year at the academy, the season saw its greatest year in Air Force Academy history. The Falcons went 12-1, were conference co-champions, defeated the University of 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.
Military Service
Fully aware of the post-AFA duties, including a four-year minimum stint in the active Air Force, Hennings would go on to serve faithfully after graduation. Following his graduation Hennings served a five-year commitment to the Air Force, piloting an A-10 Thunderbolt.
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. In support of Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, Hennings flew 45 missions.
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He was twice awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, a humanitarian award and an Outstanding Unit Award for his actions in the service.
NFL Career
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. But all the while, the NFL had a watchful eye on Hennings. In the 1988 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys took a chance and drafted Hennings in the eleventh round, despite his current active duty status.
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. Hennings caught a streak of luck. The Air Force underwent budget cuts that year and he was able to have the remainder of his active duty service obligation waived.
He spent nine seasons with the team, before retiring after missing half of the 2000 season with injuries. Hennings went on to join the Dallas Cowboys and continue his service in the Air Force Reserve for nine more years. In 2001, he retired with three Super Bowl rings and began co-hosting gigs on various radio and television shows about the Cowboys. He left in the NFL in 2000 with three Superbowl rings and the experience of a lifetime.
In 1995, he registered his first starts while Leon Lett was serving a four-game suspension. Teammates admired his leadership, willingness to sacrifice personal goals for team objectives, honesty with the news media, and a great sense of community concern.
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Life After Football
Following his football career, Hennings became a Christian motivational speaker and author. Hennings then entered the business world as president of Hennings Management Corporation, a marketing and consulting company and a principal in TRW, a rock retaining wall business.
He has spoken to several Congressional forums, national convocations and symposia on life and education at the Air Force Academy, as well as serving as the national spokesperson for Today’s Military recruitment campaign, chair of Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) Service Academy Selection Board, and a trustee on the Air Force Falcon Foundation. He is also this year's guest speaker for the 64th Air Force Ball.
Hennings served as spokesperson for Today’s Military recruitment campaign, chair of Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) Service Academy Selection Board, and a trustee on the Air Force Falcon Foundation. “It Takes Commitment,” Hennings auto-biography, shares the secret of his successes through his inspirational story.
Humanitarian Work
Take the Happy Hill Farm Academy in Granbury, Texas. Chad is chairman of the board of the 30-year-old farm and educational center where neglected or abused kids ages 6-18 go for a family environment and exemplary education after being “passed around” to various foster families. The success stories and commitment of the students, administrators and teachers are right up Hennings’ alley.
As his enviable scholar-athlete achievements, including being named a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America and subsequently induction into the ESPN the Magazine CoSIDA Academic Hall of Fame, continue to motivate youngsters around the country to do their utmost in the classroom and the gridiron, he remains a committed family man to his wife Tammy and children Chase and Brenna.
Family Life
Chad and his wife, Tammy, have a son, Chase, and a daughter, Brenna. Despite it all, Hennings remains humble and sites his wife and children as his greatest achievements.
Like all families, we have had our challenges; some greater than others. The one ordeal, though, that defined our family was when Chase became extremely ill when he was two and a half years old with what was eventually diagnosed as an autoimmune illness. It came just weeks after we, as the Dallas Cowboys, won our third Super Bowl in four years. I was on one of the greatest highs of my life professionally. But my whole perspective began to change about what is important and what it truly means to be a dad.
Hennings explains in his book that breadwinners can get wrapped up with a mentality defined by job status and money. “Personal accolades are a product of a team,” Hennings said. “The bottom line for me is giving back in a way that defined who I am as an individual. I never set out to be an All-American or to win the Outland Trophy.
“Balance is required in our lives physically, mentally, in our family relationships, and through community involvement,” Hennings explained.
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