#91 – Forward/Defence
Chad Keffer is the definition of grit, resilience, and refusing to let tragedy define your future. In 2007, Chad’s life changed in an instant when he was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident. The injuries were catastrophic — his left hand was amputated, his brachial plexus was torn, an artery was severed, and he suffered multiple fractures, including his foot and wrist. He was medevac’d from Mascoutah, Illinois to Saint Louis University Hospital, where he would undergo 14 surgeries, including a nerve transplant, in a fight to save his life and rebuild his body.
Recovery was long and brutal. Chad spent six months unable to walk and eight months out of work. The accident ultimately led to a medical discharge from the Air National Guard — another loss layered onto an already life‑altering trauma.
But Chad refused to let that be the end of his story.
He rebuilt his life piece by piece, fueled by determination and a belief that he could still do extraordinary things. Today, Chad is not only walking — he’s flying. He earned his pilot’s license, returned to the ice to play hockey again, and even hit a hole‑in‑one from 161 yards at Belk Park Golf Course.
His resilience didn’t stop there. Chad is now a successful entrepreneur, owning four businesses, including two local companies. One is dedicated to helping veterans navigate the VA disability system and improve their chances of receiving the benefits they deserve. After everything he endured, he chose to turn his pain into purpose — lifting up others who have served.
Today, Chad steps onto the ice in the DAWG Nation Survivor Game as a living testament to perseverance. His journey reminds us that even after the hardest hits, the human spirit can rise, rebuild, and achieve greatness beyond what anyone thought possible.