From Father Judge to Penn State
Greg Hennigar was the starting quarterback at Father Judge High School for his junior and senior years, a two-year run that was marked by both football success and frustrating injury. Both of his starting seasons ended early because of injuries. And still, his talent was evident enough that Penn State offered him a preferred walk-on spot after graduation.
In the spring of 2003, as a freshman at Penn State, Hennigar played in the annual Blue-White Game — the Nittany Lions' public spring scrimmage — and played well. His future at Penn State looked promising.
The All-City Game
Before leaving for college, Hennigar was selected to the 2002 Philadelphia All-City Football Game, the annual showcase that pits the best Public League seniors against the best Catholic League seniors. It was the last organized football he would play as a high schooler.
Although I did not grow up with Greg, I did have the privilege of befriending him during our short time preparing for the All-City Game. He was a great football player, but even a greater person. He made everyone feel a part of the team.
Greg was the best ever QB in the Catholic League but the best ever friend I could ask for. Greg would go out of his way to put a smile on your face or just to help you out.
May 31, 2003
Greg Hennigar died on May 31, 2003, of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. He was 19 years old and had just finished his first academic year at Penn State. His Father Judge teammates, his All-City Game teammates from Roman and elsewhere, his Penn State classmates, his coaches — and most of all his mother, Marie — poured their grief into messages that ran at the bottom of the TedSilary.com tribute page his friends and family had asked Ted to set up.
