Chad Pennington is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on June 26, 1976, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Kentucky. Pennington played college football at Marshall University, where he set numerous school records and was named the Conference USA Player of the Year twice.
Pennington was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He spent his first eight seasons with the Jets, where he became the team's starting quarterback in 2002. Pennington quickly established himself as one of the most accurate passers in the league, completing over 65% of his passes in each of his first three seasons as a starter. He led the Jets to the playoffs in 2002 and 2004, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2006 after overcoming multiple injuries.
In 2008, Pennington signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. He had a career year in his first season with the team, leading the Dolphins to the AFC East division title and earning his second Comeback Player of the Year award. Pennington's success was short-lived, however, as he suffered a shoulder injury in the first game of the 2009 season that ended his year and ultimately led to his retirement from the NFL.
Throughout his career, Pennington was known for his accuracy, intelligence, and leadership on the field. He finished his career with a completion percentage of 66%, which ranks fourth all-time in NFL history. He also threw for over 17,000 yards and 102 touchdowns in his ten seasons.
Off the field, Pennington was known for his philanthropic work. He founded the 1st and 10 Foundation, which provides funding for education and health initiatives in underprivileged communities. He was also involved in numerous other charitable organizations, including the United Way and the Boys and Girls Club.
In conclusion, Chad Pennington had a successful career as an NFL quarterback, known for his accuracy and leadership on the field. He played for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning two Comeback Player of the Year awards and leading his teams to multiple playoff appearances. Off the field, he was a dedicated philanthropist, using his platform to make a positive impact in underprivileged communities.
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