Introduction
Donald Penn (born April 27, 1983) is an American football offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Penn played college football at Utah State, and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Penn played most of his professional career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early years
Penn attended Saint Bernard Catholic High School in Playa del Rey, California and was a student and a letterman in football and basketball. In football, as a senior, he was named the Team's Lineman of the Year, was a first team All-League selection, and was a first team All-California Interscholastic Federation selection. As a junior, he was a second team All-League selection. In basketball, he was an All-State selection. Donald Penn graduated from Saint Bernard Catholic High School in 2001. He attended Utah State in college, and he notably never allowed a sack throughout his college career.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Penn was signed by Tampa Bay after he was released from the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. Later in the season in a game against the Miami Dolphins, Penn blocked an extra point attempt. On April 10, 2009, he signed a one-year $2.792 million contract to stay with the Buccaneers. On July 30, 2010, Penn signed a six-year $43 million contract. Penn scored his first ever touchdown in the NFL on November 21, 2010 against the San Francisco 49ers. It came on a one-yard pass from Josh Freeman to put the Buccaneers up 21-0 in the 4th quarter. Penn was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl as an alternate. He replaced Green Bay Packers tackle Chad Clifton, whose team advanced to Super Bowl XLV. On November 11, 2013, Penn scored his second career touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, which was also his 100th consecutive game started. Penn was released on March 13, 2014.
Oakland Raiders
Penn was signed by the Oakland Raiders on March 18, 2014 to a two-year $9.6 million contract. As an eligible offensive lineman, Penn scored his third career touchdown pass on a pass from Derek Carr against the 49ers, this being the second time he scored against that team.
The Raiders re-signed Penn to a two-year, $14 million contract on March 16, 2016. Penn was named to his second Pro Bowl in 2016 along with fellow Raider offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and Rodney Hudson.