The Miami Dolphins with their current status of four victories and four defeats deserve a special tribute to its Quarterback. I am talking about a tribute to Chad Pennington. Chad Pennington once played for the New York Jets as well as the Miami Dolphins and here is his story.

 

Chad Pennington was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on the 26^th of June 1976. He demonstrated an early interest in sports at the Webb School of Knoxville by excelling in Football and Basketball. He graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville and was accepted by Marshall University.

 

During his time at Marshall University, Chad Pennington acquired three Mid-American Conference Titles for the University and finished in fifth place in the Heisman. His other achievements were an undefeated season in 1998 which included a victory in the Motor City Bowl. He was declared the MVP or Most Valued Player of the game at the Motor City Bowl. His record at Marshall was 1,026 of 1,619 completions for 13,423 yards which included 45 interceptions as well as 115 touchdowns. Chad Pennington was also the recipient of the Draddy Trophy in 1999.

 

In the year 2000, Chad Pennington began his NFL Career as a Quarterback for the New York Jets. The New York Jets selected him in the first round and as the 18^th pick. His period with the New York Jets was between the years 2000 to 2007 and he did not let down the Jets. During his career with the Jets, he was instrumental in improving the fortunes of his team by leading it to an AFC East Division Championship and throwing 3,120 yards with 6 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.

 

Chad Pennington eventually replaced Vinny Testaverde as the New York Jets Starting Quarterback. Eventually, he was to have problems with his rotator cuff. In spite of attempts of people to write him off, Chad Pennington was able to prove his critics wrong. He would come from behind and play great games and he was eventually named the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

 

Unfortunately, good things had to come to an end when the coach of the New York Jets expressed an interest in signing Brett Favre. Chad Pennington was released from the New York Jets and he signed on with the Miami Dolphins. It was in the Miami Dolphins where he was going to prove that there is life in a second team.

 

The period of Chad Pennington with the Miami Dolphins is a period that is still being written. Chad Pennington started the 2008 Miami Dolphins Season with a loss to the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. He was able to recover with a victory over the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers only to lose games to the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. Regardless, Pennington redeemed himself with his victory over the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. He has started all of the games and his record for the Fins is 163 completions with 242 attempts, 1991 yards, 4 interceptions, and 7 touchdowns.

 

Chad Pennington is also a family man who married his college sweetheart and has two sons. Chad Pennington and his wife have also created a foundation to help the people of Tennessee, New York, and West Virginia improve their quality of life. It is also these qualities that make Chad Pennington the all around NFL Quarterback who also gives back to his family and community. I wish him and his family the best.