SIBLEY, Iowa — Since his retirement from the NFL in 2017, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway has continued to use his platform to inspire others.
Starting a couple of years ago, Greenway began speaking to crowds across the country, sharing his journey from small-town South Dakota to becoming an All-American at the University of Iowa and completing an 11-year career with the Vikings.
His most recent stop was at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School last Wednesday, Jan. 28, where he spoke to a packed gymnasium about his life, aiming to inspire kids to seize their opportunities and work hard, all while remaining humble and grateful for teammates.
“When I got out and started speaking, the impact we made on kids was most special to me because when you grow up in a small town in South Dakota where nobody recruits and nobody goes… all of a sudden you get an opportunity and you seize it and you go do it and you prove to everybody that you can,” Greenway shared.
“And we can in these small towns — we can go accomplish things, we are capable and oh, by the way, we’re humble,” he added. “A lot of us are farmers, and we’re great teammates and we’re great kids and we do things the right way.”
Chad Greenway speaks to a crowd at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
Skyler Jackson / The Globe
The event was hosted by the Sibley-Ocheyedan Athletic Booster Club as part of the club’s Become Better Together speaker series, with partnership from the Sibley-Ocheyedan School District and the Osceola County Ministerial Association.
Greenway’s presentation began with his farm upbringing in Mount Vernon, S.D., and the valuable lessons he learned on his family farm — like never forgetting where you come from and valuing relationships.
He connected the lessons he learned growing up to what he and his wife Jennifer want to teach their four daughters.
Greenway then spoke about his recruitment out of high school. He helped Mount Vernon win back-to-back state titles and was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 2000. He was then offered a scholarship at Iowa, where he was a second-team All-American his senior year in 2005.
Chad Greenway poses with event organizers at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
Skyler Jackson / The Globe
He talked about his playing time in high school and what led him to Iowa, citing his teammates, coaches and family that helped him along the way. He said he couldn’t have done it without that support.
“Without that team of guys that never played another snap their entire life… that’s the reason I got my opportunity,” he said. “So anytime in life, no matter what it is, no matter what level of success or what thing you’re dealing with, it’s never always about you and what you have to accomplish.”
At Iowa, Greenway quickly learned the culture of the Hawkeyes — of working hard every day and working together to accomplish a goal. The philosophies he learned in college carried him throughout his playing career.
Greenway then spoke about his experience entering the 2006 NFL Draft, where the Vikings selected him with the 17th pick.
While recovering a kickoff in his first preseason game his rookie year, Greenway tore his left ACL and was out for the season, and he shared what he learned from that experience as well.
Chad Greenway signs autographs for kids after speaking at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
Skyler Jackson / The Globe
Greenway also mentioned numerous Viking teammates that inspired him throughout his career, like Pro Football Hall of Fame member Steve Hutchinson and former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson.
He completed his talk with thoughts on the end of his NFL career, when to retire and why spending his entire career with the Vikings was important to him.
Greenway’s accomplishments with the Vikings include being named to the Pro Bowl twice and a second-team All-Pro in 2012. His NFL career ended with 1,101 tackles, 18 sacks, 11 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
Greenway’s speech was full of life lessons for the audience, like taking full advantage of opportunities, remaining humble and working hard and doing things that do not always require talent.
It’s been nearly 10 years since Greenway’s last season in the NFL, and he is now telling his story in hopes of inspiring others with what he’s learned throughout his life.
“I’ve got to say thank you,” Greenway said. “(It’s a) pretty neat and cool opportunity to come down here and talk to your community and I’m really grateful for it. This is a special place, you can tell. …Hopefully kids, you guys can take something from it and good luck with everything you guys are doing in your community to help your sports journey.”
Skyler Jackson joined the Globe in July 2023 as a reporter covering both news and sports. Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, Skyler attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 2023 with a degree in journalism. After graduating college, he decided on settling in Worthington for his current job at the Globe.