Chad Pennington: Miami Dolphins QB and Five Athletes You Feel Sorry For

Chad Pennington suffered yet another career-threatening shoulder injury this week in the Miami Dolphins Week 10 NFL game against the Tennessee Titans, and you've got to feel for Chad.

He already has had three major shoulder surgeries, and this last injury could spell an end to Pennington's up and down career.

With his sad story in mind, here's a list of five athletes who's situations have you feeling sorry for them, despite their status as pro athletes.

Grant Hill

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05: Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Grant Hill was one of the NBA's best players in his prime, but he just couldn't escape the injury bug.

Injuries have kept Hill from coming close to his full potential, although the Suns miracle-working training staff has done wonders for him since he joined Phoenix.

Ken Griffey Jr.

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SEATTLE - MAY 31: Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field on May 31, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Anyone who watched Griffey in his prime knows he was one of the best pure home-run hitters of all time.

He has 630 career home runs, and easily could be the all-time home run leader if it wasn't for a horrible string of injuries.

This is one instance where you've got to think: How good could Griffey have been if he used steroids to overcome injuries?

Domanick Davis (now Domanick Williams)

This is digging a little deeper, but Domanick Davis was a hell of a football player who caught a bad break.

In less than three seasons (40 career games), Davis totaled 3195 yards and 23 TD.  He rushed for 1000+ yards in his first two seasons, and was only 24 away in his third before a knee injury ended his season, and subsequently, his career.

Brian Westbrook

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27: Brian Westbrook #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Denver Broncos on December 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Broncos 30-27. (Photo by Jim McIsa

Brian Westbrook was one of the NFLs most electrifying players in the past decade, but his career has been hampered by a myriad of knee injuries from its start.

Westbrook constantly played through pain, but still has managed to rack up 5,995 rushing yards, 3,790 receiving yards and 66 TD in his illustrious career (which hasn't ended just yet, despite his lack of usage this year).

Mark Prior

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 5: Pitcher Mark Prior #22 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during a play against the Seattle Mariners during Spring Training at Peoria Sports Complex March 5, 2007 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Mark Prior was supposed to be an absolute stud, but he just can't seem to go a year without suffering an injury.

He was injured in every year he has played in the majors—from 2002-2008—with four of the injuries ending different seasons.

Prior is currently trying to make a comeback in the Texas Rangers' farm system, but with all he's gone through, it would be hard to imagine him climbing back into the majors.

Comments

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Chad Pennington #10 of the Miami Dolphins is hit against the Tennessee Titans at Sun Life Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

What other athletes do you feel bad for?

Let me know in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud