PRAIRIE, Minn. — Riley Reiff officially extinguished the flame on his 11-year professional career Tuesday morning at Winter Park as the linebacker announced his retirement from the NFL.

But a constant theme during the celebration of Greenway was how the former first-round pick has carried the torch for small-town kids to grow up and achieve big dreams. 

Greenway grew up on a farm in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, a town with a population of 400. He played 9-man football in high school, grew into a star linebacker at the University of Iowa and was the 17th overall pick by the Vikings in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Along the way, Greenway said he carried his humble roots close to his heart on a daily basis.

"You realize that growing up on the farm and in that community was the reason I wasn't able to have just the success at Iowa, but also to have 11 years of continued success here," Greenway said. "It was all because of who I am and what made me who I am because of my parents and my farming background and that community. 

"It's an honor to be able to carry the torch for all those folks across the country that grow up like that and all those kids that live in that area that have the same dream that I had," Greenway added. 

Greenway's press conference was emotional and honest, a reflection of the steady player who finished his career as the Vikings fourth-leading tackler of all-time with 1,334 tackles. He also ranks third in franchise history with 18 career sacks and is tied for fifth among linebackers with 11 interceptions.

Besides Greenway's thoughts on his humble roots, here are four other key points from Greenway's retirement presser:

One chance

Greenway frequently mentioned how thankful he was that the University of Iowa took a chance on him coming out of high school.

It turns out the Hawkeyes were his only chance.

Greenway said he arrived in Iowa City weighing 195 pounds after having played quarterback in high school. He then bulked up to 240 pounds switched to safety and then linebacker to become one of Iowa's most popular players.

Greenway praised Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff for shaping him into the player he is today.

"I had one offer. I made the most out of it," Greenway said. "Thank you, Iowa."

Fond memories

Greenway spoke multiple times about how he'll miss the people and relationships the most now that is playing career is finished.

He began his press conference by saying that he actually requested one be held.

"There's a lot of different ways to retire," Greenway said. "I thought it was only right to have a press conference to thank everyone who got me to this position." 

Whether it was his family, current or former teammates and coaches, the Wilf family, the Vikings equipment, training or weight room staff, or Minnesota's operations or public relations departments, Greenway seemingly thanked everyone he had befriended while with the Vikings.

That included former Vikings linebacker Scott Studwell, who is the franchise's all-time leading tackler with 1,928 tackles.

Greenway said Studwell, who was the first person from the organization to meet the Iowa linebacker in college, is his favorite Viking of all time.

"When he helped draft me in 2006, I got to see how he handled himself after football," Greenway said. "We all know about his storied career and his records I could never catch … I look up to you, Scott, a lot. And I appreciate that example every day."

Peak of his career

Perhaps the best Vikings team of Greenway's 11-year tenure was the 2009 squad that went 12-4, won the NFC North and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.

Greenway led Minnesota in tackles that season and had a team-high six takeaways with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. 

But although the Vikings fell a step short of reaching the Super Bowl, Greenway said he had no regrets of how that season ended.

"People look back at our 2009 season, the 2010 game in New Orleans … I don't look at that as a negative," Greenway said. "We lost the game, we didn't score enough points, but the reality is that was the peak of my career.

"Playing in that game, being a part of that game, and it being such a great game was an incredible memory," he added.

Looking ahead

Chad Greenway has been playing football for so long, he joked Tuesday that now he has to decide what he's going to do when he grows up.

Greenway's future will certainly be in Minnesota, as he's been tabbed as the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee 'Crew 52' captain.

He also mentioned getting involved in motivational speaking to tell his story from South Dakota to the NFL.

But the father of four said his main focus will be his family and coaching his daughters' sports teams. 

"Obviously, you're my life," Greenway said about his four children. "My daughter [Maddyn] won a state basketball championship last weekend. I was able to coach her, which was awesome. 

"If you're going to ask me what I'm going to do next, I'm going to be a coach," he added. "And probably a championship coach, it sounds like, with these guys."