Chad Greenway enjoying life after football

Although some NFL players struggle after their football careers come to an end, former Viking Chad Greenway is making the most of his time away from the field.

"You miss game day. You miss that anticipation that buildup. There’s no feeling like running out in front of 70,000 fans," Greenway told KSTP Sports Director Joe Schmit. "You can’t find that anywhere else. You can’t find the exhilaration, that adrenaline. It’s intoxicating.

Chad played his entire 11 years in the NFL wearing purple for the Minnesota Vikings. Not bad for a kid who grew up playing nine-man football in South Dakota. But when football was over, he was ready.

"I think it has been a little bit easier than I thought to be honest with you. I kind of mentally started to prepare myself even mid-career for what was going to happen."

After he played here, he stayed here. Not a lot of professional athletes do that anymore.

"Everybody that I care about is in the Upper Midwest. In-laws in Illinois. I mean everybody’s here. So for everybody to enjoy our career and watch games and be on the sidelines – see that the ins and outs of the NFL – and really kind of take part in that what a blessing."

Chad has four daughters that he coaches in basketball. He and his wife Jennifer run the Lead the Way Foundation. Chad also got involved with a local startup business Grey Duck Vodka. Just like in football, whatever Greenway does, he’s all in.

"It’s all about relationships and then servicing those relationships every day. Saying what you mean and being who you are and if you do all those things, a lot of people want to support you."