LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - For several hours, a Super Bowl champion visited Laredo to support a noble cause in partnership with the Salvation Army of Laredo.
Chad Hennings, a former Dallas Cowboy and three-time Super Bowl champion, has a unique background as an Air Force veteran and an A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter pilot.
Now, he is dedicated to giving back to communities by using his experiences from both the military and the NFL to help others navigate their own life transitions. Recently, he traveled to Laredo to participate in the Salvation Army’s third annual “[Doing the Most Good Dinner](https://www.kgns.tv/2025/05/26/salvation-army-laredo-host-3rd-doing-most-good-dinner-event/).”
“I mentor a lot of individuals, and that’s one of the things having had the experiences that I did, that I realized, what I did does not define who I am. That’s one of the things I try to relay to young people coming out of college or those making a transition in life, from professional athletics or the military into the civilian world. Don’t let your job define who you are as a person. There’s much more meaning and impact that we have in life beyond just what you do to earn a living,” Hennings stated.
Hennings graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served four years of active duty as an A-10 pilot. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys, where he won three Super Bowls in the 1990s.
He emphasized that his Christian faith significantly influences his dedication to giving back. He devotes his time, talent and experience to helping elevate others, stating that this commitment is a fundamental part of his identity.
When discussing the similarities between his military experience and the NFL, Hennings highlighted the parallels in preparation and performance. He stated, “I found that for me, my experience as a fighter pilot in the Air Force with the preparation before a mission, whether that was a training or a combat mission, the actual flying of the mission itself and then debriefing the mission was very comparable to what i experienced as a Dallas Cowboy. The same type of mental preparation, the same type of execution on the field, making adjustments when needed, is the key to air power in the Air Force. Then, most certainly, debrief after a scrimmage, practice or game, evaluating how you did and what you could do better. Same thing as what I did in the Air Force.“
From the cockpit to the gridiron, Hennings shows that giving back can take many forms and looks to continue using his unique experience to inspire and help others moving forward.
The Salvation Army has faithfully served Laredo for over 100 years. The annual dinner is a celebration that recognizes the many donors and volunteers who help fulfill the Salvation Army’s mission of meeting basic human needs in our city.
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