Chad Pennington
Football · Hometown: Parkersburg, WV
- High school
- Parkersburg South High School
- College
- Marshall University
- Pro team(s)
- New York Jets, Miami Dolphins
Chad Pennington grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and became one of the most accomplished high school quarterbacks in state history at Parkersburg South High School before heading to Marshall University in Huntington. At Marshall he was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and finished his career as the school's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. Selected 18th overall by the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft, Pennington became the heartbeat of the Jets offense — a precise, cerebral quarterback who compensated for multiple surgically repaired throwing shoulders with exceptional pocket management and football IQ. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award twice (2006 and 2008), becoming the only player in NFL history to win the award more than once. His 2008 season with the Miami Dolphins — leading a team that went 1-15 the previous year to an 11-5 division title and edging his former Jets team for the division — remains one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history. He finished with 28,711 career passing yards and 102 touchdowns. Attended Parkersburg South High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia.