Former Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Vikings Linebacker Chad Greenway Gets Farming Honor
Before Chad Greenway was making tackles for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten or the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL, he was helping raise livestock and grow crops on his family's farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota.
And after winning a number of honors for being an outstanding football player, his life has come full circle with a big farming honor.
Greenway is the latest recipient of a place on the America Needs Farmers' Wall of Honor. The award former University of Iowa football players who 'exemplify the tenacity, work ethic, and character of the Iowa farmer'. It is presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau.
Greenway's football career began playing nine-man football at Mount Vernon High School, where he was an All-State selection and was South Dakota's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2001.
From there it was on to the University of Iowa, where he was a three-time All-Big Ten selection at linebacker.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Greenway 17th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. In his 11 seasons with the Vikings, he played in a pair of Pro Bowls and was named the team's defensive MVP three times, before retiring after last season.
Since leaving football, Greenway and his family still live in the Minneapolis area.
He is heading up all of the volunteers for Super Bowl LII, which will be held in the Twin cities next February.