Michael Penix Jr. addresses his health after suffering injuries in national championship

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took several tough hits during Monday’s national championship game and even suffered from some friendly fire when a Huskies offensive lineman stepped on his ankle in the third quarter.

After the game Penix, who battled injuries throughout his college career, shared how he was feeling physically.

“Better than I was three years ago. I’m just happy that I was able to finish it with the guys,” Michael Penix Jr. said. “I knew that I didn’t want them to take me out of that game because I’ve been through it too much. And I knew that no matter what, I was going to make sure I finished for the guys and just give it my all.”

Penix passed for 255 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions against Michigan, failing to reach the 300-yard passing mark for only the fifth time in 15 games.

Some of the hits he took and the pain he was dealing with might have led to him being inconsistent against Michigan.

Despite his struggles at times and Washington coming up short, he was thankful to be able to finish the game.

“I’m not healthy, but I’ll be there. I’m good. It’s nothing major. I know that for sure,” Penix said. “I talked with the doctors and stuff like that. It’s nothing major. If I had to play tomorrow, I’ll play. I’m good.”

Michael Penix Jr. describes the feeling in Washington locker room after losing to Michigan

Washington players were understandably upset after coming up short in the national championship game against Michigan.

Michael Penix Jr. spoke about the emotions in the locker room during his postgame press conference after the 34-13 defeat to No. 1 Michigan in the national championship of the College Football Playoff. On one side of the coin, the team was upset after missing in their opportunity. Still, on the flip side, they also took time to appreciate one another as teammates after everything they accomplished.

“Hurt,” said Penix Jr.. “I mean, like Coach said, we came here, we wanted to win. That has been our goal since day one. I said this since day one. But, man, it sucks.

“In the locker room? It’s just a lot of love. We’re just a group that we have been through a lot together, man. We’re not going to point fingers or nothing like that. It’s a lot of love in the locker room. Everybody is just showing their appreciation for each and every person that laid their body on the line – not just during the season but offseason. Everything that we’ve been through.”