Best Dallas Cowboys player to wear No. 95 earned multiple medals in the Air Force

Welcome back to our series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.

Well, we're into the back half of our final group here in the 90s, and we continue toward the end of our long journey at No. 96 with a man who was not only a solid NFL player for nearly a decade but also a medal-winning member of the military.

But before we get to all of that, let's first have a quick look at everyone who's worn No. 96 for America's Team over the years.

Eli Ankou, DT
Josh Brent, DT
Randy Chevrier, DT
Kenny Clark, DT
DeVone Claybrooks, DT
Christian Covington, DT
Denzel Daxon, DT
Lavar Edwards, DE
Jason Ferguson, DT
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Chad Hennings, DT
David Irving, DT
Tank Johnson, DT
Sean Lissemore, DT
Dontari Poe, DT
Caesar Rayford, LB
Junior Siavii, DT
Brent Urban, DE
Mark Walen, DT/DE
Colston Weatherington, DE

Outside of our official selection, there aren't many major contributors on this particular list, as evidenced by the fact that our runner-up in this slot is defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, who spent just three seasons in Dallas from 2005 to 2007, tallying 87 total tackles, one sack, and three passes defended in 34 appearances between the regular season and postseason.

As you've likely already guessed, the easy call here, of course, is Chad Hennings.

Chad Hennings began his career with the Cowboys four years after he was drafted

Hennings spent his collegiate career at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he initially played tight end as a freshman before transitioning to defensive tackle as a sophomore.

That proved to be the right move, as the Iowa native earned First-Team All-WAC honors in his junior and senior seasons in 1986 and 1987, also earning unanimous All-American and WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in '87, while also winning the coveted Outland Trophy.

However, due to his military commitments, a stretch that was originally scheduled to last eight years, as he opted to become a pilot, teams were scared to take him in the 1988 NFL Draft until Dallas picked him in the 11th round with the 290th overall selection.

Hennings ultimately had his service time cut in half, but he certainly made the most in his four years, flying 45 missions in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Provide Comfort, which helped provide relief to Kurdish refugees in the northern part of Iraq, earning him two Air Force Achievement Medals and an Outstanding Unit Award.

Although he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve after leaving active duty, the 6-foot-6, 287-pounder finally began his career with the Cowboys in 1992, playing a lot of special teams snaps but also serving as a reserve on the defensive line for his first three seasons, seasons that resulted in Dallas winning two Super Bowls and making three consecutive appearances in the NFC title game.

Hennings started seven games in 1995, a campaign that resulted in yet another Super Bowl victory, and when Russell Maryland left the team to sign a lucrative contract with the then-Oakland Raiders in 1996, he became the permanent starter at left defensive tackle before moving to the other side of the line in 1997. He started all but one game over the final five years of his career, which ended after the 2000 campaign after he suffered several injuries.

While Hennings never earned a Pro Bowl selection or an All-Pro nod, the three-time Super Bowl champ was a locker room leader and a solid player, ultimately racking up 269 total tackles, 27.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Not bad for a guy who didn't start his NFL career until the age of 26.

Other Dallas Cowboys jersey honorees

This list will be updated daily until all 100 entries are complete, so please be sure to check back in with The Landry Hat for updates.

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Chad Hennings began his career with the Cowboys four years after he was drafted

Other Dallas Cowboys jersey honorees

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