By Marty Gordon
Dennis Haley has spent most of his lifetime on the gridiron as a former Salem High School, University of Virginia and NFL football player. He now calls Christiansburg home and has been through plenty of trials and tribulations that almost convinced him to quit, but his spirit of resiliency, as he puts it, would not let him stop dreaming when things seemed impossible.
Haley was born in Roanoke and excelled on the football field as a linebacker and running back at Salem High, rushing for 3,762 yards and 63 touchdowns during his four-year career. He led the school to three state championships (1996, 1998 and 1999) and also played on Salem’s 1999 state basketball championship team. After starring at the University of Virginia he then played for the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets of the National Football League.
Dennis first touched a football at the age of two and the sport seemed to be in his blood as his father played football at Bluefield State.
“Football taught me patience, taught me to never be too excited or angry, because there is always the next play,” he said. “That mentality, I transferred from the field to my life off the field and my experiences. Football taught me how to be accountable, because when others depended on you to do your job and do it well, you have no choice but to put your all into it.”
With the extraordinary support of his parents, Haley developed a “humble hustle” that kept him focused. Now, he has created a passion and focus that has switched from crushing his opponents on the field to molding the minds of men, women and youth. Haley has authored the book “The Playbook: The Art of Dreaming” where he introduces the five pillars of achieving your dreams.
“I wrote this book because I know that there are millions of boys, girls, men and women that are Dreaming of going Pro in something,” he said. “Dreaming has no age, regarless of Professional Athlete, Teacher, Lawyer, Doctor or whatever.
“I wanted to tell my story of winning and losing on the path to achieving my Dreams and also show that no matter what you go through on your journey never lose faith in your ability to be great. Self-Worth is the most important trait that one has.”
The Playbook is his life story that when people read it he wants them to understand the journey that got him there.
“I want them to use my experiences as a playbook to achieve their dreams. This book is the process to reaching your dreams. It’s the work ethic, self-worth, relationships, sacrifice and discipline,” said Haley.
The book takes you on his personal roller coaster journey to becoming a professional athlete. It was never easy, but he had a dream. Haley credits his family and a strong faith in helping him to reach for the top.
Haley’s Five Pillars of Achieving Dreams are: Self-Worth, Work-Ethic, Discipline, Relationships and Sacrifice. He also hopes to teach young players the next play mentality. Things will happen, according to Haley, on their life journey, both good and bad.
“You must not dwell on either. Accept it, learn from it, and go to the ‘Next Play’ because there is always more to be done to achieving your dreams,” he said. “Also, don’t let anyone control your destiny. You know your dreams and what you want to accomplish. Do the right things and put in the work. It can be achieved.”
Anything is possible if you want it, as Haley writes. “You have to believe in yourself and your abilities. You have to know your worth. I lived and still to this day live by these Five Pillars of Self Worth, Work Ethic, Discipline, Relationships, and Sacrifice. I believe that if you put these in your everyday life and make a daily devotion to them, I promise it will put your mind in a space that anything can be achieved.”
Haley said when people read the book, he hopes they use his experiences to achieve their dreams. So far, response to the book has been positive.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long says he has learned a lot from Haley during his collegiate and professional career. The two were teammates at UVA, and Long says what Haley continues to do after football is what separates him from others.
Chris Canty, who is a current ESPN analyst, said the book is truly inspirational and has something for everyone.
The book “The Playbook; The Art of Dreaming” is available on Amazon for $19.99 and on Kindle for $9.99.
