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). Beyond his achievements on the football field, Hennings is a decorated Air Force veteran and a dedicated family man.
Early Life and Military Career
After receiving full scholarships from various universities, Hennings chose to attend the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs. 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 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 after graduating from the Air Force Academy in June 1988. 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.
While with the 92d TFS, Hennings deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. Based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, from April to June 1991, and October 1991 to January 1992, 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. Chad Hennings flew forty five successful missions with the Air Force bringing humanitarian aid to Kurtis refugees fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Gulf War. He was then promoted to captain and twice awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.
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.
Read also: The Remarkable Career of Chad Hennings
NFL Career
Hennings spent nine seasons with the team, before retiring after missing half of the 2000 season with injuries. In 1995, he registered his first starts while Leon Lett was serving a four-game suspension. Hennings won three Super Bowls during his nine seasons playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Reflecting on his transition from the Air Force to the NFL, Hennings noted the similarities in team dynamics. It was offense defense, special teams, mission orient win super Bowls. It was two bunch of alpha males in both and guys trying toget after it.
He touches on the mission of Promise Keepers, their long-term plans, as well as their upcoming virtual event, July 31-Aug 1, 2020 (click here to register). To further this cause, he founded Wingmen, a men’s ministry focused on bringing men together in Christ through events, small groups, and one-on-one discipleship.Chad also sits on the board of directors for Promise Keepers.
89. Chad Hennings, former Air Force Fighter Pilot, 3x Super Bowl Champion (Cowboys) PART ONE
College Football
Hennings was moved to defensive tackle in his sophomore season, became a starter and made the All--WAC second-team. 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.
Read also: Discover the inspiring story of Chad Hennings
Personal Life
Hennings is married to Tammy and has two children: a son, Chase, and a daughter, Brenna.
Despite all the victories,all the accolades, he's actually here to tell us about one of the most challenging times in his life and events he's ever lived through. It's the one thing you credit above all else with making you the man that you are today. Being a father, when your firstborn son, Chase was battling some terrifying health issues. For me, that was the first thing in my life that I couldn't control.
Awards and Honors
- Air Force Achievement Medal (2 awards)
- Humanitarian Award
- Outstanding Unit Award
- Stan Bates Award
- Outland Trophy
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)
Motivational Speaking and Ministry
Following his football career, Hennings became a Christian motivational speaker and author. Chad challenges audiences to dare to be excellent and inspires businesses to create cultures of excellence. In order to attain excellence one must first live a lifestyle of excellence. Excellence isn’t a destination; it’s an identity. He is also actively involved in men's ministry.
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
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