For every marque name in the NFL, there are thousands of names who never see their name in lights. They are the ones who keep trying and trying (and trying) to live the dream. They are the grinders. That’s Chad Friehauf.
The Morgan County product from Brush had every reason to dream big: he helped turn around a football program and culture at Colorado School of Mines, a school known more for engineering than sports. In 2004, Chad won the Harlon Hill Trophy (D2’s version of the Heisman) and led the Orediggers to their first NCAA Playoff appearance. He finished his career at Mines as the school’s all-time leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and touchdown passes.
He started his pro football journey with the Broncos where his only appearance was taking a knee in a preseason game. Undeterred, Chad kept working at every opportunity including the CFL, Arena League, baseball and even returning to Mines to play a remaining year of eligibility in basketball at the age of 24. Eventually, he knew he had exhausted his chances and retired. Then came the reinvention.
Chad founded Ready List Sports with Jake Plummer and they are changing the way football coaches teach and how players learn their playbooks. He has also moved back to the farm he grew up on in Brush where he is running the farm and starting a family. The grind continues.