Vikings LB Chad Greenway Rescues Couple from Boat Trouble on Lake Minnetonka

Being a first-time boat owner is an ugly, plodding process.

You’re going to make some mistakes, tangle some ropes and eventually run your vessel aground. You can only hope someone like Chad Greenway is there to help when trouble strikes.

NBC affiliate KARE 11 in Minneapolis was reporting a story on rising waters near the Gray’s Bay Dam on Monday when the crew witnessed the Minnesota Vikings linebacker jump into the fast-moving water to help a pair of struggling boaters. 

“We were looking at all the beautiful houses and all of the sudden the steering wheel wouldn’t turn and we were going in circles,” said Crystal Alexis, who had taken the brand-new boat out on its maiden voyage with her husband, Edward.

The couple was out of the boat, chest-deep in cold water and trying to push the boat away from the spillway when the linebacker showed up to help. Greenway, who lives nearby, says he saw the two struggling and wanted to help them to safety.

Screenshot KARE 11 News

“I just ran down, of course with my two little girls following behind me, trying to stay out of the way, and I figured I’d help them out,” Greenway said. “It looked like it was dangerous.”

Greenway jumped into the water and helped the couple push their boat off nearby rocks and into a sheltered inlet.

“The waves are so big and the wind is so strong today that it pushed him right into the rocks, so we had to get him off the rocks, his prop cleared out of the rope and get him turned in the right direction,” Greenway said. 

A water patrol boat eventually arrived on the scene, and the linebacker helped hitch the couple’s boat up for towing. He then drove the drenched couple to their car. 

Spectators on a nearby pier called Greenway’s efforts heroic.

“Superman to the rescue!” said Don and Beth Nelson, who had watched the linebacker jump into action. “He’ll get a bonus.” 

Clearly, Greenway’s efforts earned him a couple of fans for life, right? Not so fast. 

“Oh, it’s always been the Vikings,” said Crystal. Her husband, however, wasn’t so easily swayed. 

“I’m a Chicago Bears fan,” Edward said. “I’m just going to keep it real.” 

Greenway joked that was a good thing he didn’t know Edward was a Bears fan prior to the rescue. 

“Good thing he told me after,” Greenway said.

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