Greenway keeps audience engaged at banquet

During his 11 seasons as a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, Chad Greenway provided highlights that kept Purple & Gold fans engaged.

Whether he was covering a tight end, rushing the passer or doing what he did best - stopping the run - Greenway’s extra effort made him a fan favorite.

Thursday, Aug. 1, he was a fan favorite again, but in a different way.

Minnesota American Legion Baseball invited Greenway to serve as keynote speaker for the State Legion Division I Tournament banquet as Osseo-Maple Grove Legion Post 172.

There were players from 16 teams in the hall that night - approximately 270 in all. They heard a speech that was so relevant that there was almost no talking in the ranks and very little fidgeting. And by the way, no one was spotted on a cell phone.

On the farm

Greenway began by talking about his own career as a Legion baseball player. He grew up on a farm in a small South Dakota town with cattle, pigs and crops to tend to every day. Luckily, his parents allowed him to play sports when he wasn’t taking care of his chores. He played football and basketball and ran track and then turned to Legion ball in the summer.

“As a kid I had responsibilities that really mattered,” Greenway told the audience. “My family depended on me. My family never pushed me into sports - it was about working on the farm.”

Nine-man football

Greenway played nine-man football in South Dakota and his team won the state championship. Even so, nine-man football success was hardly a clear path to the Division I ranks. A man who graduated from the University of Iowa saw Greenway play in high school and suggested to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz that he take a look at Greenway. That led to Greenway sending the Iowa coach a VHS tape of his high school highlights.

At first, it didn’t look like there would be a scholarship for Greenway even though his tape was excellent. Then a recruit from Illinois backed out and a scholarship was offered to Greenway.

Opportunity knocks

One of the themes of his success in life has been “right place, right time,” and that was just one example.

“Iowa took a chance on me,” Greenway said. “Having that shot didn’t happen without my team. The bond I have with my high school teammates will never be broken. My favorite sport memory is the locker room after our last high school football game.”

Greenway, being a farm kid from a small town, had adjustments to make when he reached Iowa City.

“One emotion I had going to Iowa was fear,” he told the ballplayers. “I was the only South Dakota player to get a Division I opportunity that year. Fear is a driver of decision making. I found out that my persistence is better than any talent I had.”

Major setback

As a redshirt freshman, Greenway suffered his first major setback - a torn ACL that cost him the season. The next year he bounced back to become a key player for the Hawkeyes. He referred to the key to his success as a PHD, which stands for poor, hungry and driven.

After a good career at Iowa, Greenway was drafted in the first round by the Vikings. But, as some fans may recall, he tore his other ACL in his rookie year.

“You determine your response to situations,” he said. “I watched my Vikings teammates that year and took notes. In 2007 I became a starter and I didn’t miss a game for 8 1/2 seasons. My best ability became my availability. I wanted to be the same guy on Week 16 that I was on Week 2.”

Greenway’s reward was signing one of the biggest contracts ever offered to an NFL linebacker and was named the Vikings’ franchise player.

Motivation

“In my ninth NFL season, Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach,” Greenway recalled. “Mike thought that I was making too much money. I felt disrespected and had never been so motivated since I was in high school.”

The result was one of Greenway’s best seasons. “It was fun to play football again,” he said.

Mike Zimmer said after the season, “If I had 53 Chad Greenways, I’d take them.”

Time to retire

When Greenway completed his 11th season, it was time to retire. “I am proud that I retired as a Viking,” he said.

Greenway lives in the Wayzata School District and is raising four children, the oldest of whom is Providence Academy basketball star Maddyn Greenway, a high national recruit in her junior year.

Greenway wished the boys at the banquet good luck and shared the four words that have been vital to his sports career. They are consistency, being a great teammate, grit and self-awareness.

Greenway’s last comments were: “It has been an honor to speak to you guys. Have a great week and don’t miss a minute of it.”