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Who is Chad Greenway?
Chad Greenway is a former American football player who spent his entire 11-year career as a linebacker with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, a second-team All-Pro, and a recipient of the “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year award. He is also a philanthropist who founded the Lead The Way Foundation, which supports critically ill children and their families. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Chad Greenway, and reveal some interesting facts about him.
Early Life and Education
Chad Greenway was born on January 12, 1983, in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, USA. He is the son of Alan and Julie Greenway, who were farmers. He has two sisters, Jennifer and Melissa. He grew up in a small town, where he attended Mount Vernon High School. He was a three-time South Dakota All-state performer, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior and third-team honors as a sophomore. He was named Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior in 2001. He also earned first-team All-conference honors for three straight seasons, as well as MVP honors. He played quarterback and free safety and returned punts and kickoffs, helping his prep team win two consecutive state titles as a junior and senior. His career totals include 364 rushing attempts for 3,118 yards and 171-290 passes for 2,572 yards. On defense, he recorded 407 tackles and 23 interceptions.
Greenway attended the University of Iowa, and played for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 2002 to 2005. He redshirted his freshman season in 2001. As a redshirt freshman in 2002, he suffered a knee injury that required surgery and did not play in the first four games. In 2003, he started at outside linebacker in all 13 games and was named second-team All- Big Ten. Greenway was named the Big Ten Conference’s joint Defensive Player of the Week vs. Arizona State, and won the Hustle Team Award at Iowa. In 2004, he was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly, a second-team All-American by CNNSI.com, and a third-team All-American by CollegeSportsReport.com. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker. In 2005, he was again a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly, and a second-team All-American by The Associated Press and Walter Camp. He was also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player. He finished his college career with 416 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, six interceptions, and three touchdowns.
Married/Dating?
Chad Greenway is married to Jennifer Capista, whom he met at the University of Iowa. They have four daughters, Maddyn, Beckett, Blakely, and Carsyn. They live in Wayzata, Minnesota, and are active members of their community. They are also devout Christians and attend church regularly. Greenway and his wife are involved in various charitable causes, such as the Lead The Way Foundation, which they founded in 2008. The foundation supports critically ill children and their families by providing financial and emotional assistance, as well as creating programs and events that enhance their quality of life. Some of the foundation’s initiatives include the Chad’s Locker program, which provides electronic devices and entertainment to hospitalized children and their families; the Field of Dreams program, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses; and the TendHER Heart Luncheon, which honors mothers of chronically and critically ill children.
Career and Net Worth of Chad Greenway
Chad Greenway was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (17th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He signed a five-year, $10.75 million contract with the team, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus. However, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during his first preseason game, and missed his entire rookie season. He recovered from his injury and made his NFL debut in 2007, starting in all 16 games and recording 105 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. He became a key member of the Vikings’ defense, and was named the team’s Defensive MVP in 2008 and 2009. He also led the team in tackles for four consecutive seasons, from 2008 to 2011.
Greenway was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2011, after registering 154 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. He was also named a second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press. He signed a five-year, $41 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2011, which made him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league. He was selected to his second Pro Bowl in 2012, after posting 148 tackles, three sacks, and one interception. He was also named a second-team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus. He continued to be a consistent and productive player for the Vikings, and was named the team’s Defensive MVP for the third time in 2013. He also won the “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year award in 2015, which recognizes a player’s service to his team, community, and country.
Greenway played his final season in 2016, appearing in all 16 games and making nine starts. He recorded 45 tackles, one sack, and one interception. He announced his retirement from football on March 7, 2017, after spending his entire 11-year career with the Vikings. He finished his career with 1,101 tackles, 18 sacks, 11 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns. He ranks fourth in franchise history in tackles, and is one of only four players in team history to be selected to two Pro Bowls, win three Defensive MVP awards, and receive the “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year award. He is also a member of the Minnesota Vikings All-Mall of America Field Team, which honors the best players who played at the Metrodome from 1982 to 2013.
Greenway has an estimated net worth of $10 million, as of 2024. He earned his income from his football contracts, endorsements, and investments. He also owns a farm in South Dakota, where he grew up. He lives a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle, but he also gives back to the society and supports various causes that are close to his heart.
Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Chad Greenway is a tall and athletic man, who has a height of 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) and a weight of 237 lbs (108 kg). He has a muscular and fit body, with a chest size of 44 inches, a waist size of 34 inches, and a bicep size of 16 inches. He has blue eyes and brown hair, which he often keeps short and neat. He likes to dress in a casual and sporty way, and often wears caps and sunglasses to accessorize his look.
Interesting Facts About Chad Greenway
Here are some interesting facts about Chad Greenway:
- He is of Czech and Irish descent, and his surname was originally spelled Zeleny, which means green in Czech.
- He grew up on a farm, where he learned how to work hard and appreciate nature. He also learned how to hunt, fish, and ride horses.
- He was a multi-sport athlete in high school, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. He also played the saxophone in the school band.
- He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers as a kid, and his favorite player was Brett Favre. He later played against Favre, who joined the Vikings in 2009 and 2010.
- He is a fan of country music, and his favorite artists are George Strait, Garth Brooks, and Tim McGraw. He also enjoys listening to rap and rock music.
- He is a golf enthusiast, and often participates in charity golf tournaments. He also likes to play video games, such as Madden NFL and Call of Duty.
- He is a devoted father and husband, and loves spending time with his family. He also likes to travel and explore new places with them.