04/07 — Chad Pennington, a Knoxville, Tenn., native and Marshall University alum, has not turned his back on any of the communities he has called home.

Following a professional breakthrough season on the field with the Jets in 2002, Pennington established the 1st and 10 Foundation with his wife Robin a year later. The mission was to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that seek to improve the quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee and New York metropolitan areas.

Through grants, Pennington recently delivered $35,000 to Hospice of Huntington, $27,000 to the Barnett Child Care Center and $30,000 to the Huntington YMCA. 

In fact, the 1st and 10 Foundation was able to provide $178,500 to nine organizations throughout Tennessee and West Virginia for the fall grant cycle. The money allocated to Hospice allowed the organization to purchase a new SUV after two of its cars broke down. With its allocation, the "Y" (where Robin worked during her collegiate years) will obtain a 15-passenger minibus that can transport children involved in after-school and child-care programs.

The Penningtons also had the chance to help Little Victories, an animal shelter in Barboursville, W.Va. Due to a $15,000 grant, youngsters will work with animals and learn humane care.

Pennington’s off-field victories have been anything but little. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, 100 percent of donations go back to the cause. While Jets fans will be in over their heads with the draft on April 26, Pennington will be busy at Colonial Lanes in Huntington hosting his fourth annual Celebrity Bowl. 

Pennington, with a career 65.6 percent passing accuracy, is the most accurate QB in NFL history. And the man, who will turn 32 in June, has always been on the mark with his philanthropic efforts.