Robert Pennywell facts for kids
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
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| Born: | November 6, 1954 Shreveport, Louisiana |
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| Died: | October 7, 2022 (aged 67) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Shreveport (LA) Capt. Shreve | ||||||||
| College: | Grambling State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1976 / Round: 6 / Pick: 168 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Robert Pennywell (born November 6, 1954 – died October 7, 2022) was an American football player. He was known for playing as a linebacker in two different professional football leagues. He played for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and for the Michigan Panthers in the USFL.
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Robert Pennywell's Early Life and College Football
Robert Pennywell was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on November 6, 1954. He grew up loving football. He went to Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport. After high school, he continued his football journey at Grambling State University. He played for the Grambling State Tigers college team. Playing college football helped him get ready for a professional career.
Playing in the NFL
In 1976, Robert Pennywell was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Draft. He was picked in the sixth round. He joined the Falcons as a linebacker. A linebacker is a key defensive player in football. Their job is to stop the other team from scoring. They tackle players, defend against passes, and try to get the ball back. Robert Pennywell played for the Falcons for four seasons. He was with them from 1977 to 1980. During his time in the NFL, he played in 61 games. He started 42 of those games. He also made three interceptions and recovered six fumbles.
His Time in the USFL
After playing in the NFL, Robert Pennywell joined another professional league. This was the USFL. The USFL was a league that played its games in the spring. He played for the Michigan Panthers. He was with the Panthers for two seasons, in 1983 and 1984. The Michigan Panthers were a strong team in the USFL. They even won the first-ever USFL championship in 1983. Pennywell was an important part of their defense.
Later Life
Robert Pennywell passed away on October 7, 2022. He was 67 years old. He is remembered for his career as a professional football player. He played for six seasons in total across two leagues.
