Chad Pennington: The Ballad Of the “Golden Boy”

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

James Chadwick Pennington. The name alone is surrounded by grace. When talking about the football player from Knoxville, Tennessee, it is hard not to get emotional.

The more anyone reads about this 33-year-old quarterback, the more respect Pennington acquires, and rightfully so, one might add.

The man who was able to turn a 1-15 Miami Dolphins team into the AFC East Champions in one season never ceases to amaze me.

Taking a look back into his early years, it has never come easy for Pennington.

While in high school, he was only recruited by two colleges, both from the 1-AA. Nonetheless, Chad took part of a training camp in Marshall University, and displaying solid play, was offered a scholarship.

Then, in college, more hard work helped Chad go from initially being a fourth stringer to the starting role at week one of his freshman season. After redshirting his sophomore year, Pennington went back to the starting job and had record-breaking seasons.

Having Randy Moss as his No. 1 target, he led the Thundering Herd to a 13-0 season in his senior year, earning the nickname “The Golden Boy”. He gave the same effort in the classroom as well, graduating with a degree in journalism with a 3.83 GPA.

After being drafted by the New York Jets in the 2000 Draft, Pennington was only able to start after two seasons, replacing Vinny Testaverde in week five of 2002, and posted a career high 104.1 QB rating in what was his first year as the starter.

The type of potential the “Golden Boy” displayed was almost too good to be true.

However, as previously sated, nothing ever came easy for Chad Pennington.

Enduring nagging injuries in his left hand and right shoulder, Chad struggled until 2006. That was the first time he started all 16 games of a season.

After earning the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2006, Pennington would get injured again in 2007, this time with a high ankle sprain, and end up losing his starting job to Kellen Clemens.

As anyone would expect, he faced his demotion with nothing less than class and grace. While never hiding his wishes to be the starter, Pennington never complained, and even helped Kellen Clemens to progress as a quarterback.

The turning point came in the 2008 offseason.

After trading for Brett Favre, the Jets released Chad Pennington in August. Following some speculation involving the Vikings, Pennington ended up in Miami.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?