Michael Penix Jr. pens open letter to NFL GMs about his injury history

Former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. penned an open letter to NFL general managers on Monday, three days ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In the letter posted to The Players’ Tribune, Penix addressed his lengthy injury history, which has been a knock on him during the draft evaluation process. Penix sustained four season-ending injuries during his time at Indiana, including a torn ACL in his freshman campaign in 2018 and then again in 2020.

Michael Penix Jr.: ‘An EKG that will tell you everything you need to know about me’

“I hear it all the time. ‘He’s been injured, what happens if he gets injured again?’ Haven’t I shown you what that looks like? Haven’t I put almost 2,000 plays on tape since my last injury? Since my ‘fourth-season ending injury in 4 years’ that’s constantly mentioned whenever my name is brought up? Truth is, I’d be more worried if I had never been injured,” Penix wrote. “We don’t all come back the same. I can’t speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I’ve seen how deep my foundation is… For most people that’d be the end of their story. But there’s more to my story, and I own every page of it.

“This isn’t a solo journey for me. There’s been plenty of other guys who were cut from the same fabric, who experienced the same challenges, and displayed the same resilience. Guys you would’ve lost money on, if you bet against them. Guys like Thomas Davis, who went on to make three Pro Bowls after tearing the same ACL three times… Frank Gore, who had a 16-year Hall-of-Fame-level career at runningback after tearing his ACL twice in college. So I have no problem taking all the MRI’s and X-rays you ask of me. 

“Truth is, it’s an EKG that will tell you everything you need to know about me.”

Michael Penix Jr. coming off successful career at Washington

The 23-year-old is coming off an outstanding season with the Huskies, in which he finished second in Heisman Trophy voting. He threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 65.4% passing. Penix led Washington to an undefeated regular season and Pac-12 championship, and helped the Huskies defeat Texas, 37-31, in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Washington failed to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, falling to Michigan, 34-13.