He played college football for the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes, the Arizona State Sun Devils and the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves.

[4] Pennel joined Jayrone Elliott as undrafted players to make the Packers roster.

[5] On February 19, 2016, Pennel was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season due to violating the league's substance abuse policy.

[6] Pennel was then suspended for the final four games of the 2016 season for again violating the league's substance abuse policy.

[12] On February 19, 2019, the Jets declined the option on Pennel's contract, making him a free agent at the start of the new league year.

[17] In Super Bowl LIV, Pennel recorded one tackle in the Chiefs 31–20 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.

[27] Pennel appeared in all 17 games for the Bears, where he recorded 26 total tackles and one forced fumble.

He was ejected from the team's Week 6 contest against the Patriots for delivering a blind-sided block that concussed center David Andrews.