Chad Pennington

Chad Pennington

Pennington's rookie debut
No. 59 – Yellowknife Wraiths
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	New York City, NY
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:	Fordham Prep High School
College:	SYU
ISFL Draft:	2023  / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
Yellowknife Wraiths (2021–2025)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
1x DSFL Linebacker of the Year (2022 (S7)) 1x DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2022 (S7)) 1x DSFL Defensive Player of the Year (2022 (S7))
Career NSFL statistics as of Week 8, 2025
Total tackles: 221 Tackles for Loss: 0 Forced Fumbles: 2 Fumble Recoveries: 1 Sacks: 14 Interceptions: 0 Passes Defended: 5 Safeties: 0
Player stats at ISFL.net

Chad Pennington (born June 7, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the Yellowknife Wraiths of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). He played college football for Syracuse University (SU). Selected in the first round of the Season 8 NSFL Draft by the Yellowknife Wraiths at 5th overall, Pennington was called up the following season from Tijuana to join the Wraiths. During Pennington's rookie DSFL season (his only season in the DSFL) he played for Tijuana and served as their captain. He won the awards for DSFL Rookie of the Year, DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and DSFL Linebacker of the Year in 2022 (S7). During his rookie season with the Yellowknife Wraiths he won an NSFL Championship and has since been on the team's star linebackers.

Early years and College Career

Born in New York City, NY, Chad Pennington was born on the same date as his two brothers Brad and Thad Pennington. The triplets began playing football together at a very early age. With Brad show a knack for the throwing the ball, Chad and Thad would play as wide receivers until both of them converted to playing on the defensive side of the ball to help spread out the talent on their middle school team. As they entered High School, the three brothers found their positions on their teams solidified as each of their were first string players on the Fordham Prep High School varsity teams. Brad as the quarterback, Chad a linebacker, and Thad as a safety. After four successful campaigns playing for their High School, which saw them win 2 state championships as sophomores and seniors, the three brothers received full ride scholarships to Syracuse University where they ended their college careers by winning a national title and then applying for the DSFL draft.

Chad's senior year was actually one of his more rough seasons of football in college. Some have speculated that he had been dealing with concussion problems which caused him to become somewhat out of shape, however he has since give testimony on the reasons behind his drop in play, involving separation anxiety, attempted suicide, and depression. He has since begun seeing a team psychiatrist and has become a motivational speaker on mental illness and its effects on everyday life.

Professional career

Chad Pennington's Career Started in Tijuana during S6. However when he arrived there he promptly stated that he would not be playing a single down against a team his brother was on. The GM of Tijuana, although unhappy with it, respected Pennington's wishes and because both of the games he would have played that season were against teams Brad and Thad Pennington played for, Chad Pennington did not play during that season after being picked up on waivers by Tijuana.

The Pennington Brothers were all drafted by Tijuana in the S7 DSFL draft and finally Chad was able to start playing professional football. The Luchadores were a young team this season. As a rookie Chad was voted the team's captain due to his leadership on the field, becoming the team's all star linebacker over the off season through his work in the gym. Although he was able to secure three individual awards (Defensive Rookie of the Year, Linebacker of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year), the team was unable to secure a championship, however the Luchadores did end up making it to the Ultimini. They lost to the Portland Pythons who were the clear favorite to win the Ultimini all season.

Chad Pennington was drafted to the Yellowknife Wraiths at 5th overall in the S8 NSFl draft. His brother Thad Pennington was drafted by Yellowknife as well, however after some issues between Brad and Chad on the field, Brad Pennington would be drafted by the San Jose Sabercats. Chad began seeing the team psychiatrist around this time and many attribute his drop in play to the mental issues he was going through at this time. As time went on his play improved as well as his mental health in part to the support of the Wraiths organization. Chad Pennington has stated that because of the support that the Wraiths organization offered him he does not see himself wearing the jersey of a different team for the rest of his career. The Yellowknife Wraiths made the playoffs during S8 and managed to win an Ultimus Championship against the New Orleans Second Line in Chad Pennington's rookie season.

S9 was a season of disappointment for Chad Pennington. His play improved marginally during this season, however the Wraiths were unable to make the playoffs. Following their disappointing regular season the team saw significant changes to their offense when the Wraiths traded for Brad Pennington who would come into the following season as their starting quarterback. When asked about how he felt about the state of the team, Chad Pennington stated he was unhappy with how he and the rest of the team performed, however the Wraiths had shown a commitment to him in the past by helping with his mental disabilities and trading for his brother. In return he would see a rebuild through to the end.

Professional career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety
2021 (S6)	TIJ	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022 (S7)	TIJ	14	130	5	135	1	3	0	0	2	0	1	0
2023 (S8)	YKW	14	72	0	72	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2024 (S9)	YKW	14	81	0	81	7	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
2025 (S10)	YKW	8	68	0	68	3	0	0	0	1	1	2	0
DSFL Total		14	130	5	135	1	3	0	0	2	0	1	0
NSFL Total		36	221	0	221	14	0	0	0	2	1	5	0
Career Total		50	351	0	356	15	3	0	0	4	1	6	0

Personal life

Chad Pennington has been dating his High School sweetheart since his senior year, though he has publicly stated he would like to wait until he retires to get married in case a life altering injury drastically reduces his quality of life. He would prefer not to be married in that case to keep from needing to be cared for by his wife.

Outside football

He spends the off-seasons at home in in New York with his parents and during that time fundraisers for the Pennington Puppies and Kitties Foundation which is a non-profit Chad Pennington started after his first season in the NSFL. The idea came from his morning routine where Chad goes to the local animal shelter wherever he happens to be that day and goes for a run with one of the dogs there. Each season he donates a large sum of money to the foundation based on how many tackles he gets that season and has been campaigning around the league asking others to do the same. Notable players who have committed to donating to the foundation are Mat Akelsen and Dermot Lavelle.

Achievements and Records

Awards

Team

• NSFL Champion (1): 2024 (S9)

Individual

• DSFL Defensive Player of the Year: 2022
• DSFL Linebacker of the Year: 2022
• DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: 2022