About our speaker

Chad Pennington
Quarterback, N.Y. Jets

Chad Pennington was the 18th overall pick and the first quarterback selected in the 2000 NFL draft. Prior to being selected by the Jets, Pennington had a stellar career at Marshall University where he set school all-time records in pass completion, capped off by a 13-0 record his senior season. He holds the Mid-American Conference career-record with 103 touchdown passes, and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy race.

Pennington took over the Jets starting quarterback position during the 2002 season and had an 8-4 record as a starter that year. He established a club record with his 68.9 percent completion percentage and led the NFL with his 104.2 passer rating, also a team record.

Following a preseason wrist injury, 2003 was a difficult season for Pennington. The Jets and Pennington rebounded in 2004, starting the season 5-0 before finishing at a 10-6 mark. A mid-season injury kept Pennington off the field for three games and after returning to action. Pennington answered with a sterling 20-17 overtime win against the AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers. The Jets season ended that year with an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pennington underwent multiple surgeries before returning to the Jets for the 2006 season. Pennington has led the Jets to a 10-6 regular season record and secured a spot in the NFL playoffs. This was Pennington’s fifth post-season appearance.
 
Pennington's true talent lies in his preparation to win. As a former National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete (1999), he makes regular appearances in continued support of the program. He graduated from Marshall University with a 3.8 grade point average, won the Anson Mount Award as the top football-playing student athlete in the country, and earned a Rhodes Scholarship nomination.

Pennington supports many charitable causes, including the United Way, as well as a self-developed program called Share Your Soles, which raises money to purchase sneakers and backpacks for children of the Interfaith Nutrition Networks' homeless shelters on Long Island.

Pennington resides with his wife and son in New York.