Chad Lewis - Surround Yourself with Greatness

2009 Chad Wayne Lewis.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from thepublisher, Shadow Mountain. The views expressed herein arethe responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the positionof Shadow Mountain.

All photographs are used courtesy of the author exceptwhere otherwise noted.

Lewis, Chad, 1971

Surround yourself with greatness / ChadLewis.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references andindex.

ISBN 978-1-60641-195-7 (hardbound : alk.paper)

1. Lewis, Chad, 1971 2. FootballplayersUnited StatesBiography.

3. Mormon athletesUnitedStatesBiography. 4. Self-realizationReligious aspectsChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints. I. Title.

GV939.L48L49 2009

796.332092dc22

[B] 2009030279

Printed in the United States of America

Quebecor World Book Services, Fairfield, PA

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ToMichele, the love of my life,
and to our seven children,
Emily, Sarah, Jacob, Jefferson,
Maxwell, Tanner, and Todd

Praise for SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GREATNESS

In the nineteen century, the FoundingFathers of FootballWalter Camp and Amos Alonzo Staggreliedon the teachings of the Second Great Awakening, the national religious movementthat inspired Americans to realize their full potential as citizens and humanbeings. Clearly, they had Chad Lewis in mind. This book, Surround Yourselfwith Greatness, shows how thesingularly American game of football is a blueprint for lifeagreat life, a life filled with the civic, religious, and family bonds andresponsibilities that make a difference in our complex world. With this book,Chad Lewis is a great teacher in that great tradition.

SalPaolantonio of ESPN, author of
How Football Explains America

Life is a journey and Chad hastraveled through the NFL and the Orient. His stories and observations aboutboth these extraordinary places are perceptive and thought-provoking.

SteveSabol, President, NFL Films

I have had the privilege of knowingChad Lewis since he first joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997. It wasimmediately evident that Chad was far more than an excellent tight end, he wasa special man. Surround Yourself with Greatness is much more than an autobiography detailing afootball career. Its a clear and concise blueprint of how to live your lifethe right way, with the focus on the things that matter, regardless of thepeaks and valleys that we all face in our professional lives. The NFL may placea man in the public spotlight and provide some unique opportunities, but itdoes not shield an individual from the trials and tribulations that lifedictates. Surround Yourself with Greatness is the story of a man who recognized what was important, and madecertain he kept his eyes on the prize. A compelling read, with some greatfootball as an added dimension.

GregCosell, producer, NFL Films

Surround Yourself with Greatness is a must read for everyone, but especially for youngpeopleboys or girlswho have a desire to besuccessful in any chosen endeavor. Its also never too late for us old folksto be motivated and continue to surround ourselves with people who will enhanceour livespeople like Chad Lewis. It was my great privilege tocoach Chad in college and I was inspired by him even then. Enjoy the bookithas something for everyone and all who read it will be uplifted.

LavellEdwards, former Head Coach,
Brigham Young University

Surround Yourself with Greatness reveals the passion of a true champion. In his book,Chad Lewis shares the knowledge and wisdom he gained through exceptionalexperiences as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, missionary, and NFLstar. Chads friendly narrative style made me feel like I was sitting next tohim listening to an old friend recount wonderful life lessons.

TomHolmoe, Athletic Director, Brigham Young University

The perfect medicine for our currentworld condition. Its a message of gratitude in the midst of great difficulty.Our families would be closer and our days brighter if we practice this message.

GovernorGary Herbert,
State of Utah

Surround Yourself with Greatness is a feast of compelling stories, skillfully told. Igenuinely enjoyed the book and felt inspired by the power of its message.

MichaelO. Leavitt, former US Secretary
of Health and Human Services

I absolutely loved this book! It isboth insightful and inspiring. Chad Lewis is simply remarkableacourageous man in spirit as well as in practice. Surround Yourself withGreatness is his story, hisinspiration for leading a life of honor and integrity, guided by a tremendousfaith in humanity. Over and again, Chad reaches for light in the darkness andfinds those coaches, neighbors, teammates, and mentors who inspired greatness in him. As Chad powerfullyproves, surround yourself with greatness and reap the rewards of a life welllived.

StephenM. R. Covey, author of the
New York Times bestseller TheSpeed of Trust

If the going ever gets really tough, Iwant Chad Lewis in my camp. He is a marvelous American who loves God, who loveshis wife and children, who loves his parents, neighbors, and teammates, and wholoves football like I do. There is profound power in the wisdom of surroundingyourself with greatnessgreat people, great books, great music, greatart, and great deeds. This book is filled with lessons of love, gratitude,patriotism, and teamwork.

HarveyGardner,
founder of Page Steel

Much more than Football 101, this bookis a post-graduate course that every present and future footballplayer and coach should read, study, and think about until they haveincorporated these lessons into their own psyche. The author highlights many tendermoments in a very tough business. It is the best insight intopro-football insider life and details I have ever read. The author isthe kind of sports hero the youth of today need. Every parent should make suretheir teenagers read this book.

Robert E.Wells, educator

As I have read Chads book about hisexperiences with so many successful and great people that he has become friendswith, I am reminded about what someone has said about greatness. If you want tobecome great, you forget about greatness and you associate with greatpeopleit rubs off. And its what one does for others,especially for those who have no other way than for someone to give them thatlittle extra lift. It is evident in Chads book that he has associated with somany great people, and in my eyes, that is what makes him great also.

V. JayWadman, President,
American Indian Services

Packed with Chads real-lifeexperiences, Surround Yourself with Greatness is a powerful message for all of us! Chad haspracticed this principle his entire life, immersing himself in goodness, hardwork, and positive choices. As good an athlete and competitor as Chad is, hesan even better husband, father, brother, son, and friend! I love this book andplan to give it to my family and friends to read!

MatthewJ. Hawkins, COO at SirsiDynix
Coporation, Harvard Business School graduate, high school rival, and lifelong friend

When fifteen-year-old,skinny, freckled-faced Chad Lewis told me he was going out forfootball, I said to myself, Chad, you will get trampled to death! Histenacity and positive attitude then and all throughout his career resonatesloud and clear in