HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Chad Pennington, a celebrated figure in Marshall Athletics, has been named to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This announcement came on Thursday night.
Pennington was a standout quarterback for Marshall from 1995 to 1999. During his time, he threw for over 14,000 yards, scoring 123 touchdowns while keeping his interceptions at just 46. His record? An impressive 45 wins and only 6 losses across 51 games.
He played a vital role in Marshall’s rise from Division I-AA to Division I-A, helping the team clinch three Mid-American Conference championships from 1997 to 1999. In 1995, as a freshman, he led the team to the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game. His successes earned Marshall the title of the winningest college football team in the 1990s.
The 1999 season is particularly unforgettable, as it is regarded as Marshall’s best. The team finished undefeated at 13-0, defeating notable opponents like Clemson and securing a victory over BYU in the Motor City Bowl. This perfect season granted them a historic No. 10 ranking in the final AP poll.
Pennington also shone individually, becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1999. He received multiple accolades, including the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy for the National Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Vern Smith Award, and the Sammy Baugh Award.
After impressing at Marshall, Pennington was drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Over his 11-year NFL career, he accumulated over 19,000 passing yards and earned two AFC East titles with the Jets and Miami. Notably, he was the first in NFL history to receive the Comeback Player of the Year Award twice, in 2006 and 2008.
Today, Pennington is the head football coach at Sayre School in Lexington, where he revived the school’s football program after 40 years of hiatus. In 2024, he led the Spartans to their first-ever Kentucky Class 1A Championship, capping an undefeated season.
The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be celebrated on June 26 at the annual Purple Jackets Awards Dinner at Hilton Lexington Downtown.
Founded in 2003, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame honors players, coaches, and contributors connected to Kentucky who have significantly influenced professional football. With 115 inductees, the Hall recognizes both NFL legends and key figures whose careers showcase excellence and passion for the game. Furthermore, the Hall supports youth and children’s charities, having raised over $1 million since its inception, with the current beneficiary being the Foster Care Council of Kentucky.
For more about Marshall Athletics, check out their social media @HerdZone.
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