By Marty Gordon
Dennis Haley has spent most of his life 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 trials, setbacks and challenges that along the way almost convinced him to quit. His spirit of resiliency, as he puts it, would not let him stop dreaming and quit.
Earlier this month, Haley completed the book, The Playbook: The Art of Dreaming in which he introduces the five pillars of achieving dreams. They are self-worth, work ethic, discipline, relationships and sacrifice. He hopes the book will help teach young players the next-play mentality, which will keep them going whether circumstances are good or bad.
Haley was born in Roanoke and excelled on the football field as a linebacker and running back at Salem High School, rushing for 3,762 yards and 63 touchdowns during his 4-year career. He led the school to three state championships (1996, 1998 and 1999). He also played on Salem’s 1999 state basketball championship team. He went on to star at the University of Virginia and then turned pro. In the NFL, he has for the Baltimore Ravens, the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets.
He first touched a football when he was 2. He apparently inherited some of his talent from his father, who 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,” Haley said. “I transferred that mentality from the field to my life off the field and to my experiences. Football taught me how to be accountable because when others depend 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 had kept him focused. Now he is created a different kind of passion and focus that has switched from crushing his opponents on the field to molding the minds of men, women and youth.
“I wrote this book because I know that there are millions of boys, girls, men and women who are dreaming of going pro in something,” Haley said. “Dreaming has no age or profession, whether athlete, teacher, lawyer or Doctor.
“I wanted to tell my story of winning and losing on the path to achieving my dreams and to show that no matter what you go through on your journey, you should never lose faith in your ability to be great. Self-worth is the most important trait that one has,” Haley said.
The Playbook: The Art of Dreaming is his life story that recounts what took him on his journey to success.
“I want [readers] to use my experiences as a playbook to achieving their dreams. This book details the process to reaching your dreams. It’s the work ethic, self-worth, relationships, sacrifice and discipline,” said Haley, spends his spare time running fundamental sports camps for area youngsters.
Haley credits his family and a strong faith in helping him to reach the top.
“Don’t let anyone control your destiny,” Haley said. “You know your dreams and what you want to accomplish. Do the right things and put in the work. They 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. I believe that if you put these in your everyday life and make a daily commitment to them, I promise it will put your mind in a space where anything can be achieved.”
He said he hopes people will use the experiences he recounts in his book to achieve their dreams.
Early responses the new book have been positive.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long said he has learned a lot from Haley during his collegiate and professional career. The two were teammates at UVA, and Long has said that what Haley continues to do after football is what separates him from others.
ESPN analyst Chris Canty said the book is truly inspirational and has something for everyone.
The book is available on Amazon for $19.99 and on Kindle for $9.99.
