"GROUNDED" IS NOT TYPICALLY A POSITIVE TERM WHEN USED IN REFERENCE TO AN EX-AIR FORCE FLYBOY, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY THE WAY TO DESCRIBE CHAD HENNINGS. THE DALLAS COWBOY DEFENSIVE STAR IS EXTREMELY GROUNDED IN EVERY FACET OF LIFE... PROFESSIONAL... FAMILY..SPIRITUAL. HENNINGS WAS CERTAINLY THE ONLY GULF WAR VETERAN TO RETURN HOME AND ENTER THE WORKFORCE INTO THE NFL. WHEN THE COWBOYS DRAFTED HIM OUT OF THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY, THERE WAS INCREDIBLE SPECULATION ALONG THE SPORTS-TALK CIRCUIT ABOUT HIS POTENTIAL...EVEN ABOUT WHETHER HE WOULD ACTUALLY SERVE OUT HIS MILITARY DUTY WITH A BIG-DOLLAR NFL CONTRACT AWAITING HIM. HOWEVER, CHAD'S COMMITMENT TO HIS OBLIGATION, IN HIS MIND, WAS NEVER IN DOUBT. IN SPITE OF THE DELAY OF HIS NFL DEBUT, HENNINGS IS LIVING UP TO HIS POTENTIAL ON THE COWBOYS STARTING DEFENSIVE LINE. WHILE HE SPEAKS IN STRICTLY "TEAM- ORIENTED" TERMS AND IS HESITANT TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS OWN ACHIEVEMENTS WITHIN DAVE CAMPO'S DEFENSIVE UNIT, HE IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE PREMIER RUN STOPPERS IN THE GAME TODAY. CHAD AND TAMMY HENNINGS LIVE IN COPPELL WITH THEIR TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, SON CHASE AND INFANT DAUGHTER BRENNA. CHASE WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH JUVENILE ARTHRITIS, A RARE AND FRUSTRATING CONDITION FOR A YOUNG BOY WITH BOUNDLESS ENERGY. THE HENNINGS FAMILY HAS CONFRONTED THIS SITUATION IN THE SAME POSITIVE WAY THEY LIVE THEIR LIFE. THEY'LL PERSEVERE AND OVERCOME IT, THEIR FAITH WELL GROUNDED...

YST: Tell us about the town where you grew up.
"I grew up on a 950 acre farm near Keystone, Iowa in the east central part of Iowa. We raised corn and soybeans, but the mainstay of our income was from our cattle feed lot operation. So, it was a good place to grow up...small town America. "

YST: What were your family experiences like growing up?
"My parents were very supportive of me and anything I did...they provided a loving, good quality Christian environment. They encouraged us to do anything that we wanted to, but once we started something, we were committed to follow through with it. That was a very big lesson I learned about commitment. They taught us that there are no shortcuts to success---set a goal and you have to work hard to achieve it. "

YST: Who was the most positive influence in your life?
"My parents, no doubt. Also, I had a huge sibling rivalry with my olderbrother Todd. We were 16 months apart, but we competed in everything, and fought like cats and dogs. He really inspired me to go out and go above and beyond and do my best. "

YST: Are you still fairly competitive with your brother?
"No, that competition ended when I was like a sophomore in high school, and he was a senior. We were always pretty close to being the same size, and one day we got into an argument which ended in a little fist-o-cuffs. That was the first time I beat him, and from then on we were best friends. "

YST: Recall some fond childhood memories.
"Our whole family, from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived within a 15-20 mile radius of each other. Anytime there were birthdays or holidays we all congregated to one spot and it was really neat. With the extended families kids have now I don't think they can really get a taste of that, or appreciate what they are missing out on. "

YST: When did you first have a desire to attend the Air Force Academy?
"Not until my Junior year in high school, or actually the end of my Sophomore year; They had an up and coming football program, and I knew they were a quality institution. They provided a well-rounded education, I got a chance to travel and learn leadership skills, and above all push myself to the extent that...well, it was just a great challenge. "

YST: Obviously, to be awarded a slot at the Academy you 'II never be stereotyped as a dumb jock"...were you considered 'studious' in high school?
"I was pretty studious...high school came very easy to me. - I was able to pretty much finish my homework during study hall, leaving night for family or relaxation time."

YST: What is your proudest academic achievement growing up ?
"Being selected on the Academic All-American Team. I made First Team both Junior and Senior years, and was able to graduate with a 3.2 average. "

YST: What did you like best about the Academy ?
"Colorado. The location was fantastic, and it's facilities were second to no other academic institution in America. You have 18,000 acres on the front range of the Rockies, and it's a very nice place to go to school. "

YST: You followed the path Roger Staubach blazed to NFL success. Any other players you know that followed a military career into the NFL?
"Actually, there was one from the Academy. Steve Buss plays with the Broncos, but I don't know if he's still active. There have been others who've attended one of the other Academies but didn't graduate. As far as anyone serving more than a four year commitment, Roger and I are the only two. "

YST: Any regrets about not being able to skip Gulf Storm and jettison directly into the NFL?
"No, none at all-the opportunities that I had to fly jets in conflict situations, and see the world--I mean, you couldn't pay me enough to do something else."

YST: What was your most memorable flying experience?
"I can remember very well my very first solo in a jet--we just hung out in the flying pattern. However, I'd have to say my first mission where I crossed the Mediterranean flying from England to Turkey was the most memorable experience--it wasn't necessarily good because I lost an engine and had to redirect to Souda Bay Creek, which is an island on the coast of Greece. It was a hairy situation--the controller didn't speak English very well and I had to relay to him that I was in an emergency situation and had to land immediately."

YST: Do you still fly?
"Not actively, but the last time I flew was this past April. I still have friends in the Air Force and was able to ride in a T-38, one of the Air Force's supersonic trainers. We pulled a few G's, and I realize I don't miss that-- I'm kind of out of shape as far as flying goes."

YST: Where did you and Tammy meet?
"We met in Colorado Springs, the spring semester of my senior year. "

YST: Describe the first date.
"Very awkward...I think it was one of those things where it was truly love at first sight, but we were very shy to admit that we felt that way. We went to a movie--I think it was Caddyshack 2--and we ended up leaving halfway through it was so bad."

YST: Did you do anything special to keep the 'marriage flame' burning during your Gulf Storm 'hiatus'?
"We had the opportunity to make 'morale calls' everyday for 5-10 minutes. I felt for the people who had families and had to leave children, and am thankful we didn't have kids at that time. Unfortunately there are guys still going through it today. "

YST: What do you think about what's going on over there today?
"I think it's a situation that's never going to be solved diplomatically. The scars, the hatred, run too deep. Not only in the Mid-east, but in Bosnia and Central Europe, too. I think we're only fooling ourselves,but if they want to spend money keeping troops over there just to keep the peace, so be it. "

YST: What role does your religious faith play in the success of your family unit?
"Huge. Ever since I came to the Cowboys, I've really started to take my faith or the spiritual side of life very serious. Since having children we've realized how important it is to teach them and raise them as God would want us to. They are the legacy we pass on. "

YST: Tell us about your family.
"Our son Chase is 4, and our daughter Brenna is 7 1/2 months . "

YST: How long have you lived in this community?
"Since the fall of 1992."

YST: How is Coppell similar/different from where you're from ?
"It's much bigger population-wise, but it's still similar to the extent that it has that small town flavor. You can walk up to anyone and smile and they'll smile back at you. "

YST: Aside from the obvious proximity to work, what reasons influenced your family's decision to settle in Coppell?
"Everybody said that the Coppell school system is second to none, and we've found that to be true about the community as well ."

YST: If you could change or improve one thing in Coppell, what would it be ?
"Slow the population growth. The builders may not like to hear this, but we need to put homes farther apart, so our kids have more room to play."

YST: How do you stress the value of education to your own children ?
"Hopefully they'll see how I've led my life--how important education was to me. I'll be continuing to broaden my horizons and hopefully I can relay that to them by example...not by pointing a finger at them saying, 'do this, do that.' "

YST: Chase, your son, has had difficulty with Juvenile Arthritis. How has this affected your family ?
"Coming from being a very healthy, vibrant boy, and then one day-- 'BANG'--being stricken with an illness was very difficult to accept. It hurt him to walk for 5 or 6 months. I never will accept it, because I believe that it's happened for a reason--and there is a cure out there either through diet or supplementation. I don't agree that you have to rely solely on medicating your child."

YST: How is Chase doing now?
"He's doing good. He has swollen knees and ankles on occasion, but he gets around and he goes to school. He's a typical little boy, but there are times when he gets tired and hurts. It's tough for a father or a mother to see. I'd much rather take on the pain myself, but in the meantime we hope to learn the reasons he has to go through this."

YST: What do you do as a family for fun ?
"We have a great neighborhood. There are a lot of kids Chase's age and young parents our age. We have a great time sitting in our front yards talking to everybody and just letting our kids play in the streets. I think it's one of the best neighborhoods in Coppell."

YST: What youth sports did you participate in growing up?
"Being from Iowa, wrestling is very big, and my first wrestling meet was in third grade. I started playing baseball in fourth grade, and played organized football beginning in Junior High."

YST: What weight class did you wrestle through high school?
"My Freshman year I was a 138 pounder, then had a big growth spurt and went to 185 for my sophomore and junior years. I was a heavyweight my senior year. I had to cut a little weight my Freshman and Junior year, and I had friends who had to cut 20 or more pounds. It's ridiculous...that's hard on a young body."

YST: What was your favorite sport as a child?
"My favorite sport was a team sport--football. I was good at wrestling, but it's so nerve racking because it's mano y mano . "

YST: Describe the coach that made the biggest impact on you as a kid.
"My high school football coach, Reese Morgan, because he led by example. We had a weightroom that was outdoors in an old storage area, and he was always there anytime you wanted to be there. He exemplified discipline and I admired him for that. He was something that I wanted to be like when I grew up. He was a great motivator-- he really exemplified positive thinking to the student athlete. Now he's an athletic director and football coach for another school, and I usually get a chance to talk to him everytime I go back home."

YST: What qualities do you think are required to be a successful coach of young athletes?
"Patience, and will. Not necessarily a will to win, but a will to lead by example. If you're a screamer, kids pick up on that example--they may think that's supposed to be how they act or react. I think that everybody should get the opportunity to participate, whether they're a late bloomer or early bloomer. Don't categorize or stereotype kids-- give them the opportunity to play every position, and learn sportsmanship. "

YST: Specifically, what do you feel a youth coach should not do when teaching young athletes ?
"Don't yell or degrade them. Always be positive and upbeat. Don't place such a high price on winning. It's about participation, learning fundamentals and techniques, and learning about sportsmanship. "

YST: As a professional athlete, you 've seen the good, bad,and ugly in spectators. Why do you feel youth sporting events bring out the worst in some parents ?
"I think it's their desire to live through their kids. They may be very competitive in business, or were very competitive in athletics. At times human nature brings out the worst in people. "

YST: Chase's condition may make it difficult for him to participate in organized sports in thefuture. How do you feel youth associations and coaches should incorporate physically challenged children into team sports ?
"In my sons' case, there's an 85% chance of his outgrowing it, so we hope he doesn't have to put up with this for too much longer. Regardless, I think every child should have an opportunity, especially to learn at least the techniques or just get to interact with other kids, and learn patience. "

YST: What is the best thing children should gainfrom their youth sports experience?
"To learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, and the fundamentals of the game."

YST: What advice can you give to kids wanting to play youth football ?
"Don't. There's plenty of time, if they'll first allow their body to grow. When I go to these football camps and see 6-,7-, and 8-year old kids out there, going full contact with pads, I think it's wrong. Texas is a huge football state, but I won't let my son participate until maybe middle school. I think football camps should be non-contact, and the main goal is to teach the fundamentals of the game. "

YST: The contract you completed this year ensures that you are an integral part of the Cowboy's future success. How did you feel when the negotiations were said and done?
"'Relieved', knowing that we were here for the remainder of my career and stay in our home in Coppell. That was paramount for my wife and myself, not wanting to move away. We're established, we have friends here, our church is here -it's home for us. "

YST: If you wereforced to, would you have a choice of another team where you would have preferred to go to?
"I would have preferred the Denver Broncos, just to get back to Colorado. I think we'll eventually have a vacation home there. "

YST: Do you feel that Jerry & Barry have finally endorsed your position as a top echelon player in the NFL and a core of the Cowboys defense?
"I feel the connmitment I've given to them over the past 5 years, they've given right back. As for being a top echelon player of the defense, I am one member of the team. I'm no greater, and no less, of a player than anyone else...we're all cogs in the wheel. "

YST: During the time you 've been in Dallas, many teammates have come & gone. Who do you miss most?
"One of the players that I probably miss the most is John Gesek, who owns the hardware store and still lives here in Coppell. We got to be pretty good friends, and then he moved on to the Redskins and eventually retired. He's one of the guys that I miss the most around the practice field. "

YST: If you wereforced to, would you have a choice of another team where you would have preferred to go to?
"I would have preferred the Denver Broncos, just to get back to Colorado. I think we'll eventually have a vacation home there. "