Greenway Helps Minnesota Family Honor Son's Memory

[Viktor]

Dylan displayed high character as a standout goalie, running back and track-and-field participant. He was an A-honor roll student and a caring, funny young man.


In blog posts written for school, Dylan emphasized the role of faith and spirituality in sports. He will be remembered for a kind heart off the field and an intense mindset on it.


"In football, his quarterback said he was an 'angry runner.' We always talked about, for lack of better words, it was 'hit or be hit' type of thing. You need to be aggressive on the field," Dustin said. "He was a good teammate."


Dylan loved the Vikings and rooting for his favorite players. The Falling family attended at least one Vikings game per season together, usually making it an all-day affair.


Dustin recalled bringing Dylan and Morgan to the Vikings Locker Room store at U.S. Bank Stadium and surprising them, telling them to pick out any jersey they'd like. Dylan chose a Purple 22.


"He liked the whole team, but he really liked the Hitman," Dustin said of Dylan's affinity for Harrison Smith. "That was an annual thing, going to the Vikes game … we're really going to miss that."


The family enjoyed watching Greenway before he retired following the 2016 season, and his genuine care for Dustin, Michelle and Morgan in the wake of tragedy has touched all of their hearts. For Dustin, the linebacker's readiness to help a family he'd never previously met only confirmed what he'd always thought of Greenway.


"Even before this, [I'd thought], 'Gosh, he seems like a good dude.' He's never said a bad thing, he's down-to-earth, and I took that away from that day, too," Dustin said. "You could tell the care in his voice, his concern and his willingness to kind of help in situations like this.


"That's a true testament to his camp that he puts on," Dustin added. "That's a direct reflection of him as a person, what he's trying to teach people. It's not just a façade saying, 'I've got to keep a good image.' That's him."


Harlander said that Greenway and his wife, Jenni, are "what athletics are all about."


"They lead with their hearts. There are people that talk the talk, and there's people that walk the talk. The Greenways walk the talk," Harlander said. "When Chad got in the league, [they said] they were going to give back to the community. What are we, 14 years later, and they're are still doing that with their Lead the Way Foundation."


In addition to the scholarship started by Day to REACH + Lead the Way Foundation, the Falling family plans to support young student-athletes in their community through a foundation that will be established in Dylan's memory. The 1 Foundation will help provide athletic/academic scholarships, local Catholic school scholarships and mental health resources for young people. Click here to learn more or to donate.