Chad Hennings

Reese Morgan, Hennings' determined high school football coach, trekked 800 miles from small-town Iowa to the Air Force Academy in March 1984, armed with game films of his star player at Benton of Van Horne. Hennings had his heart set on playing football for Air Force, and Morgan wanted to make the dream happen by showing the academy, in person, what Hennings had to offer. That westward journey on Interstate 80 paved the way for Hennings to develop …

…strong. I wasn't in a very religious family growing up, but he motivates me. He walks the walk and talks the talk. He's a true Christian." Family and friends say Hennings accomplished so many of his dreams because of hard work and dedication. Morgan, his high school coach, noticed those qualities in Hennings years ago - even without looking at a video tape. "There was something special about him," Morgan said. "You could sense it."