New York ? One rotator cuff injury often is enough to ruin a premier athlete’s career. Chad Pennington overcame two in two years to win the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

The New York Jets had become too accustomed to seeing Pennington leave the field because of a damaged right shoulder. After the 2004 season and again midway through 2005, he underwent surgery to repair his right rotator cuff.

There’s was so much doubt about Pennington returning to form that the Jets had four quarterbacks in training camp last summer, including a second-round draft pick.

So all the seven-year veteran did was lead the Jets to a surprising 10-6 record and a wild-card berth one season after they went 4-12 – most of it with him sidelined – and changed coaches. Pennington’s precise execution of a short passing game made Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery into 1,000-yard receivers and offset a mediocre running game.

Not surprisingly, Pennington didn’t see winning the award, announced Thursday, as an individual honor.

Pennington’s efforts earned him 27 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. He finished far ahead of two other quarterbacks, Drew Brees of New Orleans (81â2) and Carson Palmer of Cincinnati (51â2).

Pennington passed for a career-best 3,352 yards.