Chad Hennings, best known for his role with America's Team, began his
successes long before his professional football career began. An accomplished
lineman in high school, Hennings was offered full scholarships from
universities across the nation. Instead, he chose to attend the U.S. Air Force
Academy, where he racked up numerous honors academically and on the gridiron.
Named most valuable athlete at the academy, he earned defensive player of the
year honors from the Western Athletic Conference and was named to the WAC's
All-Decade Team. In addition, he received the 1987 Outland Trophy, given to the
country's outstanding lineman, and the most valuable player designation at the
1988 Freedom Bowl. A two-time Academic All-American, Hennings was inducted into
the GTE Academic All-American Hall of Fame.
His exemplary achievements put him at the top of many draft lists and earned
him a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' roster, but Hennings postponed his entry into
the National Football League to fulfill his commitment to the U.S. Air Force.
He entered the Euro-NATO program, a training program for top pilots, and soon
found himself at the controls of the A-10 Thunderbolt.
During his four-year stint with the Air Force, Hennings flew 45 missions in
support of Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, an effort that helped
provide relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees. He received two aerial
achievement medals, a humanitarian award and an outstanding unit award for his
actions in the service.
After his discharge, Hennings joined the Dallas Cowboys, quickly earning a
starting position as a defensive lineman. He spent his entire 9-year
professional football career with the Cowboys, retiring in 2001 with three
Super Bowl rings. His knowledge of the game and recognizable personality led to
co-hosting gigs on various radio and television shows about the Cowboys.
Hennings now serves as president of Hennings Management Corp., a management
and consulting company based in Dallas. He and his wife, Tammy, are the proud
parents of a son, Chase, and a daughter, Brenna. His dedication to children
extends beyond his own family, as he serves on the board of directors for Happy
Hill Farm Academy/Home, a residential school/farm for at-risk kid.
The title of Chad Hennings' autobiography, It Takes Commitment, reflects not
only the inspirational message he delivers, but also the way he lives his life.
Personal commitment and teamwork are the cornerstones of his message. He
imparts his advice for pursuing a life enriched by value and virtue. Hennings
shares his message to varied and diverse groups in private, corporate, civic,
governmental and academic settings. His patriotism and allegiance to our
country is evident by his work promoting the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Academy
as well as other branches of our Armed Services. One's personal commitment to
achieving leadership and success is a recurring theme in his speech. He also
challenges the individual to be committed to success by maintaining a balance
in one's life. Some of the building blocks of his message of commitment
include:
Commitment as an individual:
"I wanted to fly jets so badly, but the Air Force's Wing Flight Surgeon
had to check the design specifications of the ejection seat in the aircraft as
he was concerned I wouldn't clear the jet's tail in the event I had to
eject."
"I was in Wichita Falls at training camp, and it was 105 degrees in the
shade. I had just taken two liters of IV solution to stay hydrated. With only
an hour to get ready for the second practice, I was mentally fighting the urge
to quit because I knew I was going to cramp, just as I had before."
Commitment as a member of a team:
"While flying on the wing of my flight lead in Western Europe and
northern Iraq, we had less than three feet of wing tip clearance, and the only
thing I could see were his wing tip lights because the weather was so bad. I
had to choose to trust him to safely navigate the weather and get us into the
deployment area so that we could accomplish our mission."
Commitment to being a leader:
"I have experienced all kinds of leadership styles in the military and on
the football field. I have had squadron commanders that I would have followed
into combat anytime, any place. I also have had commanders who they were lucky
that their troops did not shoot them in the back when his head was turned.
It was the same thing on the football field. There were the guys who worked
me to the point I couldn't give any more, yet they found a way to motivate me
to dig deeper and give something I did not think I had. And then there were the
guys who couldn't motivate a man dying from dehydration to take a drink."
Commitment to leading a balanced life:
"In my opinion, true leadership and success are not defined by wealth,
fame, or social circles. It is defined by balance. If your aim is to amass
great wealth or social significance alone, your life will be like a ship being
tossed by the wind. You will be reactive and not proactive. Whatever looks good
at the time, you will jump in that direction."
"Balance is required in our lives physically, mentally, in our family
relationships, and through community involvement. Our spiritual values and
character becomes the compass that directs us down our chosen path."
