Chad Hennings didn’t play football for individual accolades. But he received a big one Tuesday, being selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
“To be recognized with this honor is a testament to the guys I played with at the Air Force Academy,” Hennings said.
But the individual honors speak for themselves.
Playing at Air Force from 1984-87, the defensive tackle won the Outland Trophy, awarded to college football’s most outstanding lineman. He was a unanimous All-American and defensive player of the year in the Western Athletic Conference.
After graduation, Hennings became a pilot in the Air Force and flew 45 support missions in Desert Storm in Iraq. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL draft and joined the Cowboys in 1992 after completing his military obligation. He played in the NFL for nine seasons, winning three Super Bowl rings with Dallas.
“This signifies Chad Hennings as one of the best that ever played the game,” Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said.
AFA athletic director Hans Mueh called Hennings a role model for the academy’s cadets.
“He will give credit to others for this recognition he so clearly earned,” Mueh said.
Hennings becomes the second former Air Force player in the College Football Hall of Fame, joining 1958 consensus All-America lineman Brock Strom. Strom was inducted in 1985.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
Awaiting induction
A look at the 2006 class selected for College Football Hall of Fame induction, to take place in New York in December. Enshrinement at the Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., is set for the summer of 2007:
PLAYERS
Bobby Anderson, QB-RB, Colorado, 1967-69; Bennie Blades, DB, Miami, 1985-87; Carl Eller, T, Minnesota, 1961-63; Steve Emtman, DL, Washington, 1989-91; Thomas Everett, FS, Baylor, 1983-86; Chad Hennings, DT, Air Force, 1984-87; Chip Kell, G, Tennessee, 1968-70; Mike Phipps, QB, Purdue, 1967-69; Mike Rozier, RB, Nebraska, 1981-83; Jeff Siemon, LB, Stanford, 1968-71; Bruce Smith, DT, Virginia Tech, 1981-84; Emmitt Smith, RB, Florida, 1987-89; Charlie Ward, QB, Florida State, 1989, 1991-93.
COACHES
Bobby Bowden, Samford, 1959-62, West Virginia, 1970-75, Florida State, 1976-present, 359-107-4 career record; Joe Paterno, Penn State, 1966-present, 354-117-3.
