Earlier this month the Vikings announced Chad Greenway was the team’s Community Man of the Year. Several weeks earlier he won the prestigious Byron “Whizzer” White Award presented by the National Football League’s Players Association—the highest honor awarded by the NFLPA. The annual award recognizes players who “go above and beyond to perform community service in their team’s cities and hometowns,” according to the Vikings.
Anyone familiar with Greenway’s off-the-field work to help others wasn’t surprised by the latest honors. He has been involved with a variety of efforts such as starting his own foundation to assist children with education and health needs, donating $100,000 to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, working in his native South Dakota to raise awareness about concussions, and helping with the America Needs Farmers campaign. And those commitments by Greenway are only some of the give back endeavors for the Vikings linebacker who is about to start his 10th season with the team.
At 32 years old, this might be Greenway’s last NFL season. During an exclusive interview with Sports Headliners covering various subjects, he wouldn’t say for sure what he will be doing a year from now. He is one of the franchise’s best linebackers ever, having twice been a Pro Bowler and a second team Associated Press All-Pro in 2012. Three times teammates have voted him Vikings defensive MVP.
Greenway grew up on a farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota. He played nine-man football in high school. A quarterback and free safety, he led the team to consecutive state championships. At Iowa he became a two-time All-Big Ten linebacker before the Vikings drafted him in 2006 with the No. 17 pick of the first round.
Greenway’s wife Jennifer is a former track and field athlete at Iowa. The couple has three daughters.
Here is a Q & A with Greenway:
Why so much involvement with community work? “Wanting to give back to the community, I wanted to use the platform of the NFL as a springboard to give back to kids and families who were in either desperate need or (had) a specific need.”
Your motivation to help others is extraordinary. Where does that come from? “It snowballed. We (he and Jennifer) started our foundation with the idea of wanting to help families. As we got going we became more and more passionate. After we had our children, we became more passionate.”
What’s your philosophy of life? “Live for your family. Live for your kids as a dad. Be a great husband. Just take it one day at a time.”
What are you and ex-Viking Bob Lurtsema trying to accomplish with the South Dakota concussion initiative? “Awakenings. Specifically awareness to youth in football, and coaches and trainers, but mostly just educating players so they know what to look for in their teammates’ eyes.”
If you were to single out one community honor you received what would it be? “Well, the one honor that is the most significant is the Byron “Whizzer” White Award only because we’re going to be able to start our grant funds for families based off of that. (Greenway’s Lead The Way Foundation will receive a $100,000 donation.) It’s going to help a lot of families.”
What’s the reason this might be your last season? “Because I give everything to the game, and there’s only so much you can ask of your body. We’ll see how it all shakes out but this could be my last year and I would be excited about that. But also knowing that I could continue to play and be excited about that too. So it’s really up in the air. You give everything to the game and it’s going to take bits and pieces of you, but you can’t let it take too much.”
What are the chances you will be back next year? “That’s a hard question. I don’t know. I can’t answer that.”
After you’re finished with football what will you focus on? “My kids and my wife.”
What is it people don’t understand about being a pro football player? “It’s hard work everyday.”
What was the most fun you ever had playing football? “High school because we won two state championships with my best friends growing up. I’d played with them since I was four years old, five years old. To win two state titles with those guys was the ultimate experience.”
What is it fans better believe about the 2015 Vikings? “We’ll compete and we’ll improve.”
After one season what is your impression of head coach Mike Zimmer? “He’s a competitor. He’s impressive.”
How do you describe the importance of voluntary and mandatory spring practices for the Vikings? “Team building, camaraderie, education, (and) learning the defense.”
Who is the greatest Viking you ever played with? “Oh, gosh. Kevin Williams. He was a great teammate.”
If you quit the Vikings today you could walk away knowing what? “Knowing I did everything I could during my career to be content and happy with my effort, and what I did for the team and organization.”
Who is the person that most impacted you? “My parents, just always being there and always giving everything they had to us kids, and giving us opportunities.”
When growing up in Mount Vernon what was your thought about an NFL career? “Near impossible.”
Who were your sports heroes growing up? “Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Kent Hrbek.”
Eleven years after leaving the Hawkeyes, what are your thoughts about the Gophers-Iowa rivalry? “Go Hawks!”
Between Jennifer and you, who is the better athlete? “My wife. She is tougher. She is more competitive.”
What is the best TV show? “Oh, God, I don’t watch TV anymore. Tour de France.”
When it comes to music, nothing beats: “Classic country.”
Favorite artist? “Waylon Jennings.”
My kids make me laugh when: “They’re angry.”
Does that happen a lot? “Yeah, I have three girls.”
There’s nothing better to eat than? “My grandma’s cookies (chocolate chip). She uses real butter.”
Who are five famous people from the past or today you would invite for dinner? “Abraham Lincoln, probably the most influential American. George Washington. Bradley Wiggins…he’s a Tour de France champion cyclist. He’s an Englishman (Greenway is part English). Brett Favre (also), that would just be fun. He’s a great time. And LeBron James.”
My worst personal habit and why: “I am not much of a habit guy. Not too many bad ones.”
Does your wife get on you about stuff? “Of course. Maybe not putting my dishes in the dishwasher (for a bad habit). Say that one. I’ll have her read that.”