Chad Hennings could write a book about his accomplishments on the football field and his experience in combat as an Air Force pilot in Desert Storm.
He would have plenty of material to work with. The story would begin with him arriving at the Air Force Academy in 1984 as a wide-eyed farm boy from Iowa. The next chapter would tell of him winning the Outland Trophy as college football’s best lineman in 1987, gaining All-America status, recognition as the best football player in Air Force Academy history and eventually induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
His football playing days were interrupted when he jumped into the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt and flew missions in northern Iraq in Desert Storm. Then it was back to football with the Dallas Cowboys from 1992-2000 and winning three Super Bowl rings.
Hennings has written a book, all right, but it’s about what he considers something far more important.
“I appreciate everything that has come my way, but they’re just things,” Hennings said from his home in Dallas, from which he hopes to travel to watch Air Force play Monday in the Independence Bowl. “I’m sure that a lot of people look at my life and say, “I wish I could be him.’ “
If there’s one person who Hennings wishes could duplicate his “things,” it would be his 17-year-old son, Chase. But Chase Hennings suffers from an immune deficiency that has led to destruction of bone joints in his body.
Hennings’ book “Rules of Engagement” promotes heroics he considers far more important than making plays on the football field or maneuvers in a fighter plane. It’s about the importance of living up to responsibilities that go with being a father and a family man.
Hennings explains in his book that breadwinners can get wrapped up with a mentality defined by job status and money. He contends the responsibilities go “much deeper than that.”
“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. I just tried to be the best I could be at what I was doing.”
Hennings grew up in an atmosphere that demanded a strong work ethic. He was taught by his grandfather Ervin Hennings, his father Bill and older brother Todd.
“I learned that hard work translated to success and that the harder you worked, the better you were prepared,” Hennings said. “It’s all about serving, leadership and respect.”
But pro athletes often have big egos and not much time to be servants.
“They get it,” Hennings said when asked if highly paid pro athletes would get the message in his book. “They understand it, but whether they execute it personally is their business.”
Hennings wants the meaning of the words in his book to be his legacy.
“Chase is my wingman,” Hennings said, using a term from his flying days. “One of the biggest battles is helping him keep self-esteem. There’s so much more to life than success in the cockpit or on the athletic fields. Even though I’d like to, I can’t be a concert pianist or sing in a choir. God has blessed us all with different talents.”
He stays positive in hope that advances in treatment and medicine could bring a cure to Chase’s ailments.
“We’re all hopeful of great things in new treatment could be on the horizon,” Hennings said. “We’re always hopeful that will be the case.”
If so, Hennings no doubt would write another book. It would be about the virtue of serving others.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
