NFL.com
FOXBORO, Mass. (Sept. 13, 1999) — When the
tragic earthquake that killed more than 15,000
people hit Turkey in August, Dallas Cowboys
defensive tackle Chad Hennings thought about
his friends who might still be stationed there.
With civil unrest still a part of life these days in
Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, Hennings
further realizes he's just playing a game on
Sundays.
"People like to use the analogy, 'It's a battle,'
and say that the line of scrimmage is a battle
zone," said Hennings, now in his eighth year with the Cowboys. "But
there is no life and death situation here on the field, not like a real
battle. Combat situations, being in north Iraq with hostile forces,
that's different."
Hennings, a graduate and staunch supporter of his alma mater, the Air
Force Academy, knows about being in a real battle. Hennings was an
A-10 tankbuster pilot in the Gulf War back in 1991 as part of
"Operation Provide Comfort," a mission that dropped supplies to the
Kurds in northern Iraq and southern Turkey. He was stationed in
London the two years before he joined the Cowboys in 1992. He said
he still has friends on missions in Bosnia, Africa and southwest Asia.
Announcers frequently discuss the battles that go on for an NFL
lineman and compare them to wars, but as Hennings can tell you,
there's no comparison. Hennings never had his life in danger while
trying to sack Washington Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson in the
Cowboys' wild 41-35 overtime win in Week 1.
Since serving his commitment to the Air Force for four years and
delaying his career with Dallas, the team that drafted him in the 11th
round in 1988 and finally got to see him play in 1992, Hennings' career
has come full circle. Whereas once he was the inexperienced player on
the defensive line, asking the veterans how to do things, he's now
that player, that leader. And there's a lot of youth around him.
Against the Redskins, Hennings, a starter at left defensive tackle the
last three seasons, saw some new faces around him. The other
defensive tackle, Alonzo Spellman, is an NFL veteran but new to Dallas
and new to the position after being an end with the Chicago Bears.
Greg Ellis, in his second season, lined up to the left of Hennings, with
fourth-year player Kavika Pittman, with one season of starting under
his belt, manning the end spot. Two top reserves were rookies
Ebenezer Ekuban and Peppi Zellner and third-year man Nathan Davis,
playing in his third career game.
When Hennings began his career by playing mostly special teams and
some defensive tackle during 1992's Super Bowl season, Charles
Haley, Jim Jeffcoat and Tony Tolbert were manning the line and
teaching the new kid. Hennings now owns three Super Bowl titles.
"I think my role has changed into more of a leadership one," Hennings,
33, said. "Initially when I got here I set goals, and one was to make
the team, then get vested as a player. Now I have experience and
can motivate these guys for a grueling 16-game schedule. I share
experiences with them, tell them to go out and do their job."
A 1987 All-America and Outland Trophy winner, Hennings set a
Western Athletic Conference record with 24 sacks as a senior, but in
the NFL has been better known as a run-stopper. In his eight-year
career he has 23 sacks, or one more than Mark Gastineau's NFL
single-season record. This season, Hennings knows he needs to do
more. Leon Lett has been suspended from the league for eight weeks.
Antonio Anderson and Hurvin McCormack were selected by the
Cleveland Browns in the expansion draft. Mike Myers, a rookie last
season expected to start, is injured and was inactive for the Redskins
game.
"This is a great situation here," Spellman said, "because we have the
experience and the young guys. Chad's been here and he helps
everyone."
Defensive coordinator Dave Campo was on the Cowboys' staff when
Hennings arrived and thinks the veteran still has some big seasons
ahead of him. But he also sees Hennings' value off the field.
"I think he enjoys his new role," Campo said. "He's a very solid football
player. We really took it easy on him in the preseason because of the
age factor. He's as fresh as he has been in a long time. The young
guys ask him questions. He has a lot of confidence and brings
leadership.
"He's just a great young man, a typical Air Force guy, very strong
mentally. He's a Christian, a family man."
Hennings said it's important that he remain a well-rounded person. He
grew up an Iowa farm boy and is currently a captain in the active
reserves, serving as a liaison officer for the Academy and ROTC
programs. In that role he has spoken to Congress, staff forums, high
school students, and done public service announcements. It's all part
of his life, along with his family — wife Tammy, son Chase and
daughter Brenna — and being a Cowboy. Hennings has also written a
book on religion called "It Takes Commitment."
"I try to maintain every aspect of my life the same as it was before I
started playing professional football: duty, honor, family and spiritual
life," Hennings said. "Commitment to God, family, and country are my
three priorities. Then comes football."
That's why nobody will ever question Hennings' priorities, or tell him
that last week's game was a war.
By Eric Karabell
