Donovan McNabb

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Donovan McNabb
Date of birth	November 25, 1976
Place of birth	Chicago, IL
Position(s)	QB
College	Syracuse
NFL Draft	1999 / Round 1 / 2nd Overall
Pro Bowls	2000,2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Awards	2004 NFC Offensive Player of the Year
Statistics	CBS.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1999–Present	Philadelphia Eagles

Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976 in Chicago) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. He attended Syracuse University. He is also known as "D-Nab", "Run-DMC", or simply as "Five."

Contents 1 Early life 2 College years 3 NFL career 3.1 1999 3.2 2000 3.3 2001 3.4 2002-2003 3.5 2004 3.5.1 Super Bowl XXXIX 3.6 2006 3.7 Season Ending Injuries 4 Statistics and records 5 Image and reputation 5.1 NFL year by year statistics 6 Personal life 7 See also 8 Footnotes 9 External links

[edit] Early life

Donovan grew up in Dolton, Illinois and was a standout quarterback at Mount Carmel High School on Chicago's south side. He helped Mount Carmel to win the 1991 State Championship as a sophomore. Mount Carmel has produced such athletes as current Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Simeon Rice, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, Chicago Bears tackle Steve Edwards, Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker, and former Cy Young Award-winning Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain.

[edit] College years

McNabb at first was strongly considering going to the University of Nebraska. He enjoyed the idea of being coached by the legendary Tom Osborne. However, McNabb decided not to attend Nebraska mainly because he did not want to be labeled an "option quarterback" (the option is the primary play Tom Osborne designed his offense around at Nebraska). He then decided to attend Syracuse University.

One of the most decorated athletes in Syracuse University history, he was a four-year starter at quarterback and a reserve on the school's nationally ranked basketball team. On the gridiron he was named the Big East Conference's offensive player of the decade (1990s) and of the year an unprecedented three times from 1996-98, as well as the first-team all-conference vote earner in each of his four seasons. Later, he was named to the Syracuse All-Century Football team. He also played basketball there, playing as a key reserve in the Orangemen's (now called Orange) Final Four team back in 1996, where they lost to the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game.

[edit] NFL career

[edit] 1999

McNabb was drafted 2nd overall by the Eagles in 1999, a choice which was famously booed by Philadelphia fans present at the draft. McNabb was chosen ahead of University of Texas halfback Ricky Williams; however, recent history has justified this choice, as Ricky Williams has been in and out of the league because of drug problems. McNabb started six of the Eagles' final seven contests (missing the December 19 home game against New England, a 24-9 victory, due to injury) as he became the first Philadelphia Eagles rookie to start in the quarterback position since Brad Goebel on October 13, 1991, and the first Eagles rookie draft pick to start since John Reaves in 1972. He saw his first NFL regular season action in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 19-5 home loss on September 19. He made his first career start at home against Washington on November 14, completing eight of 21 passes for 60 yards in a 35-28 win. He also had nine carries for 49 rushing yards and led the team to a pair of successful two-point conversions (1 rush and 1 pass). With the win, he became the first Eagles rookie QB to win his first NFL start since Mike Boryla (December 1, 1974 vs. Green Bay) and the first Eagle QB to win his first start since Ty Detmer (October 13, 1996 at NYG). McNabb threw the first TD pass of his career (6 yards to TE Chad Lewis) vs. Indianapolis in a 44-17 home loss on November 21.

[edit] 2000

In his first full season as a NFL starter in 2000, McNabb finished second in the Associated Press MVP voting (24-11) to St. Louis RB Marshall Faulk, who set the NFL record for most TDs scored in a season. He was selected as a first alternate to the NFC Pro Bowl squad in 2000 (behind the Minnesota Vikings Daunte Culpepper, San Francisco 49ers Jeff Garcia, and St. Louis Rams Kurt Warner). When Warner was unable to participate due to injury, McNabb led the NFC on a touchdown scoring drive in his first series. Accounted for 74.6% of the team's total net yards in 2000. Only Carolina's Steve Beuerlein (75.3%) and San Francisco's Jeff Garcia (75.1%) had a higher percentage. His 629 rushing yards in 2000 were tops among NFL QBs and, at the time, the fourth-highest total ever (968 by Bobby Douglass in 1972; 942 by Randall Cunningham in 1990; and 674 by Steve McNair in 1997. Mike Vick has since eclipsed that total three times). His six rushing TDs in 2000 were the most by an Eagles QB since Randall Cunningham also had six in 1988. Broke the club's single season record for most attempts (569) and completions (330) in 2000, marks previously set by Cunningham (560 and 301 respectively) in 1988. Named 2000 NFL Player of the Year by CBS Radio and the Terry (Bradshaw) Awards on Fox Sports and was named to the All-Madden team. Made his prime time debut (ESPN) vs. Atlanta at home (October 1} with his first 300-yard passing game in a 38-10 victory and the Eagles' first since Bobby Hoying vs. Cincinnati at home on November 30, 1997. His 55 pass attempts at Pittsburgh, a come-from-behind 26-23 overtime victory (November 12) were a career-high and the fourth-highest total in team history. Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 90.7% of the offense in a 23-20 overtime victory at Washington (November 26). His 125 rushing yards were the most by an NFL QB since the Bears Bobby Douglass (127 on December 17, 1972) and was the sixth-best rushing effort by a QB since 1940 when the "T" formation was introduced. Threw for a career-high 390 passing yards and 4 TDs in a 35-24 victory at Cleveland (December 10) en route to NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. McNabb led the Eagles to their first playoff appearance since 1996, where they defeated the favored Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21-3 before losing to the New York Giants 20-10.

[edit] 2001

Earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl (was originally elected as an alternate) following the 2001 season after combining for 3,715 yards of total offense and establishing career highs in TD passes (25) and QB rating (84.3). Including playoffs, threw TD passes in 15 of 18 games and 2-or-more in 12 of those games. Named by his teammates as the club's offensive MVP in 2000 and 2001. Led the Eagles in fourth-quarter comebacks in two wins vs. the Giants in 2001. At the Meadowlands (October 22), his 18-yard pass to James Thrash with 1:52 remaining gave the Eagles a 10-9 victory. At Philadelphia (December 30), wiped out a 21-14 deficit, engineering two fourth-quarter scores as the Eagles clinched the NFC East title with a 24-21 over archrival New York Giants. Tied Ron Jaworski and Tommy Thompson for the most postseason wins in franchise history by a QB (3). His 8 career playoff TDs trails only Jaworski (9). Named NFL Offensive Player of the Week after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Chicago (January 19, 2002). Completed 26 of 40 for 262 yards with 2 touchdowns passing and added 37 yards and a TD on the ground. That rushing TD was the final touchdown at the old Soldier Field. Became only the fourth QB in Eagles history to pass for 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons - Sonny Jurgensen (1961-62), Ron Jaworski (1980-81), and Randall Cunningham (1988-90) were the others. McNabb's Eagles advanced to the NFC championship game for the first time since 1980, losing to the heavily favored St. Louis Rams 29-24.

[edit] 2002-2003

In week 11 of the 2002 season, McNabb was injured. On the third play of the game, he was sacked by the Cardinals' Adrian Wilson and LeVar Woods. He fumbled the ball, fell to the ground, and held his right leg. He went to the locker room to have his ankle taped, but returned for the Eagles' second drive. His injury was reported to be a sprained ankle, but X-rays after the game revealed that it was a broken ankle. During the game, however, McNabb made an impressive show of toughness. In one of the best passing games of his career, he was 20 of 25 passing, with 255 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also threw an interception. McNabb was out for the last six weeks of the regular season, and returned to face the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs, but he recovered slowly. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 20-6, but were beaten by the underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-10 in the NFC championship game.

In late September of 2003, Donovan McNabb was the subject of very controversial comments made by Rush Limbaugh, who worked as a commentator for ESPN at the time, stating that the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed. The comments came after the Eagles began the season 0-2, losing to defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers and eventual champion New England, both losses coming in their newly opened stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. There has been much discussion about the merit of these comments, which resulted in Limbaugh's resignation from ESPN.

Despite the slow start in the 2003 season, McNabb again led his team to the NFC championship game - yet his detractors pointed out that in his five years in the NFL, McNabb had yet to complete 60 percent of his passes or average seven yards per attempt over the course of an entire season, two statistical thresholds widely accepted as benchmarks for what constitutes a successful season for a modern-day NFL quarterback. Although the slow start hindered his overall statistics for 2003, Mcnabb had the highest quarterback rating(97.5)in the NFL for the second half of the season and also completed over 62% of his passes for over eight yards per attempt. With Philadelphia's 14-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the 2003 NFC championship game, McNabb became the first NFL quarterback since Danny White of the Dallas Cowboys (1980-1982) to lead a team to three consecutive defeats in conference title games, prompting some observers to conclude that McNabb "chokes" in big games (his cumulative passer rating in the three conference championship games was 50.5 - a figure that is approximately 10 points lower than what the worst quarterback in the league earns over the course of a typical year).

McNabb's defenders, however, point out that Philadelphia had the worst contingent of wide receivers in the NFL throughout McNabb's tenure with the team up to that point, and perhaps in modern professional football history. In 2003, for example, Philadelphia's wide receivers caught only five touchdown passes - tying the record for fewest in a season since the regular-season schedule was lengthened to its present 16 games in 1978 and that, by going the entire months of September and October without having a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass, the 2003 Eagles became the first NFL team since 1945 not to have gotten a touchdown pass from any of its wide receivers in the first two months of a season.

[edit] 2004

McNabb finally amassed the kind of numbers that placed him firmly as one of the elite NFL quarterbacks statistically. He averaged 8.26 yards per attempt, completed 64.0 percent of his passes, threw 31 touchdown passes (he also ran for three more), and only eight interceptions. These numbers translated to a Passer Rating of 104.7. Furthermore, he became the first quarterback in league history to throw over 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in a single season. This dramatic improvement coincided with a massive upgrading of the Eagles' receiving corps, namely the arrival of Terrell Owens, who caught 14 touchdowns. As a result, the Eagles won their first seven games of the season for the first time in franchise history, clinched first place in their division with five weeks still to play in the regular season (becoming only the third team in modern NFL history to do this) and won the NFC's Eastern Division by a record-tying seven-game margin in posting a 13-3 record, the franchise's best 16-game season ever. In the playoffs, McNabb led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl in almost a quarter century, with victories over the Minnesota Vikings 27-14 in the divisional game and the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship Game. Owens was not in the lineup during the two playoff victories, and was recovering from a broken leg. McNabb became only the third African-American quarterback to start in a Super Bowl after Doug Williams in the 1987 season and Steve McNair in 1999.

[edit] Super Bowl XXXIX

McNabb and Owens led their team against a newly-forming dynasty, the New England Patriots, in Super Bowl XXXIX. While Owens was explosive every time he touched the ball, McNabb struggled at points, throwing three poor and crucial interceptions. Two of these were thrown in New England territory, and one of those two was a rare mistake for McNabb in the red zone. He was also sacked four times. Controversy surrounds the end of the game, as McNabb was reportedly unable to call a play in the huddle, leading to poor clock management by the Philadelphia Eagles on their final drive. Some reports claim that McNabb had the wind knocked out of him by an earlier hit while others assert that he was unduly fatigued or even nauseous (interestingly, McNabb also suffered from a bout of nausea at the conclusion of a 2002 regular-season game played at Alltel Stadium, where Super Bowl XXXIX was contested). Some have speculated that McNabb had end of game butterflies and is not capable of winning the big game. Both Coach Andy Reid and McNabb have denied any physical problems which led to the puzzlingly slow pace of play, but they did not address mental problems. McNabb finished the game with 30 completions for 357 yards, the third highest total for both categories in Super Bowl history, and 3 touchdowns. The Eagles lost 24-21.

Pundits often use Super Bowl XXXIX to point out both McNabb's gifts and failures. He showed flashes of his athleticism and on field calm, but he also brought up the nagging questions of whether or not he has the heart of a champion. Critics of McNabb continually place the success and failure of the Philadelphia Eagles squarely on his shoulders. However, history suggests that McNabb may be the "John Elway" of his generation: a superior and extraordinary talent with the unfortunate fate of lacking the complements needed to win the Super Bowl. McNabb's performance in the Super Bowl has been criticized, but statistically, he excelled. The third interception that McNabb threw, in fact, was the result of a dropped pass by tight end L.J. Smith. With under a minute to go in the game and no timeouts, a 95-yard march to paydirt was highly improbable, even for the indomitable Donovan McNabb.

[edit] 2006

McNabb's and the Eagles began the 2006 season at 5-4 heading into a week 11 game with Tennessee Titans on Sunday November 19. During the game, however, McNabb tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee while jumping out of bounds, ending his season, the third time in five years McNabb has gone down with six or more games remaining in the regular season.^[1] Eagles officials stated that his rehabilitation will likely last eight to twelve months, which completely ends his 2006 season and even raises questions as to whether he will be ready to begin playing by the beginning of the 2007 season. In the meantime, backup quarterback Jeff Garcia is to take McNabb's place as the Eagles' quarterback. Since McNabb became starting quarterback in 1999, the Eagles are 8-7 without him. A dominant defense in 2002 helped A.J. Feeley and Koy Detmer go a combined 5-1 to finish the season after McNabb broke his ankle against the Arizona Cardinals. Detmer lost a meaningless game during the Eagles Super Bowl season in 2004. In 2005, Mike McMahon went 2-5 when McNabb´s season was lost to a sports hernia^[2] in Week 10 against the Cowboys.

[edit] Season Ending Injuries

Donovan McNabb has had three of his seasons halted in mid-November due to a season ending injury. In 2002, McNabb injured his ankle in a game against the Arizona Cardinals and went into the locker room to have it examined. It was diagnosed as an ankle sprain so it was taped up and he went back on the field to have one of his best statistical games of his career, throwing for four touchdowns. Later, it was found that the ankle was actually broken, ending his regular season. McNabb came back that season in the Divisional Playoffs against the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles beat the Falcons to go on to the NFC Championship game where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2005, McNabb was hit hard on the first play of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. He would tough out nine games that season, but was never the same as he was playing through pain the whole time. The Eagles were a paltry 6-10 that season. This year McNabb suffered the most gruesome injury of his career when he tore his ACL in week eleven, against the Tennessee Titans, ending his season. This put the Philadelphia Eagles at a crossroad as the expected recovery time from that injury is 8-12 months. Although McNabb stated that his goal was five and a half months for recovery time, that is difficult for a quarterback who relies on his mobility so much.

[edit] Statistics and records

McNabb set the Syracuse and Big East career records for touchdown passes (77), touchdowns responsible for (96), passing yards (8,389), total offensive yards (9,950) and total offensive plays (1,403). He set the school's all-time records for total yards per game (221.1), passing efficiency (155.1) and yards per attempt (9.1). He finished his college career ranked second in the school's history with 8,389 yards passing, 548 completions, 938 attempts and a 58.4 completion percentage. Started every game during his career, compiling a 33-12 record. As a senior, led Syracuse to an Orange Bowl berth vs. Florida as he completed 157 of 251 passes (62.5%) for 2,134 yards. His 22 TD passes tied the school's single season record set by former Eagle Don McPherson (1987). Also rushed 135 times for 438 yards and 8 touchdowns.. Ranked sixth in the nation with a 158.9 passing efficiency rating and 22nd in total offense (233.8 yards per game). Tied a school record with 4 TD tosses vs. Cincinnati and accounted for 5 TDs vs. Miami (3 rushing and 2 passing). Amassed 2,892 yards in total offense in his junior season to set a school record. As a freshman, was the Big East rookie of the year and tossed a 96-yard TD pass vs. West Virginia, the longest in SU history. He redshirted in 1994.

[edit] Image and reputation

During his lengthy tenure as the Eagles' quarterback, he has failed to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory. However, he is one of only two quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to lead his team to 4 straight Conference Championship Games.

McNabb has been widely praised for his ability to stay cool under pressure. It is often said, by fans, teammates, and football pundits, that when McNabb plays with a smile on his face, he is at his best. However, when losing, he often sulks on the bench with a towel over his head, isolating himself from teamates and coaches.

While large and strong for a quarterback, McNabb has had his share of injuries. Notably, he threw for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns after breaking his ankle against the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, McNabb played 10 games in 2005 with a sports hernia. McNabb has adapted to the physical punishment of a scrambling quarterback by refining his pocket passing skills, and learning how to avoid big hits. Many NFL experts, analysts, and personnel now consider McNabb to be one of the best quaterbacks in the NFL.

McNabb is one of the most popular athletes in the history of Syracuse University. This is due to his outstanding ability, demeanor, and class which he continues to exhibit. His popularity continues in the NFL and in Philadelphia. McNabb is very involved with charities (such as the Diabetes Association), and also sits on the Board of Trustees at SU (Note: McNabb is also the youngest person to ever serve on the Board at SU).

[edit] NFL year by year statistics

Year	Games	Games Started	Attempts	Completions	Completion %	Yards	Yards/Attempt	Touchdowns	Interceptions
1999	12	6	216	106	49.1	948	4.39	8	7
2000	16	16	569	330	58.0	3365	5.91	21	13
2001	16	16	493	285	57.8	3233	6.56	25	12
2002	10	10	361	211	58.4	2289	6.34	17	6
2003	16	16	478	275	57.5	3216	6.73	16	11
2004	15	15	469	300	64.0	3875	8.26	31	8
2005	9	9	357	211	59.1	2507	7.00	16	9
2006	10	10	303	175	57.4	2569	8.36	18	5
Totals	104	98	3246	1892	58.3	21967	6.8	152	72

Rushing Totals

• 447 attempts 2726 yards 6.1 average 24 TDS

Pro Bowl selections:

• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• Total selections (5)

NFC Offensive Player Of The Year

• 2004

McNabb holds the record for most consecutive pass attempts completed — 24 — against the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers in 2004 over two games. Mark Brunell and David Carr hold the record for most consecutive completed passes in a single game with 22.

McNabb is the second least intercepted quarterback per pass attempt in NFL history, behind only Neil O'Donnell, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[edit] Personal life

McNabb and his college sweetheart, Raquel "Roxy" Nurse, were married in June 2003. His daughter Alexis was born in September 23, 2004. His other loves include his two dogs, Sinbad and Diego and his parakeet named Tudy. They reside in Moorestown, New Jersey.

McNabb's parents, Sam and Wilma McNabb, have gained fame appearing as themselves in the Campbell's Chunky Soup commercial series. Wilma is also a vice president of the NFL Mother's Association, the executive director of the Donovan McNabb Foundation, and runs McNabb Unlimited, which oversees Donovan's endorsements.

In 2002, he was named to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees; the youngest to do so.

He has a degree in speech communications.

He throws the football with his right hand but he writes with his left hand. ^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, he released a clothing line which he designed, called Super Five.

[edit] See also

• Featured Athlete on Fox Sports Net's Beyond the Glory

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Eagles' McNabb hurts knee, out for season NFL.com
2. ^ J Cluett. "Donovan McNabb - Sports Hernia". Retrieved December 3, 2006.

[edit] External links

• Donovan's Official Website
• Donovan McNabb at ESPN.com
• Pro-Football-Reference.com - career statistics
• The McNabb Foundation Website
• Donovan McNabb bio, interview, pictures & wallpapers
• Donovan McNabb 2006 Interview on Sidewalks Entertainment

Preceded by: Ray Lewis

Madden NFL Cover Athlete Madden '06

Succeeded by: Shaun Alexander

Madden NFL Cover Athletes

'00: Barry Sanders | '00: Dorsey Levens | '01: Eddie George | '02: Daunte Culpepper | '03: Marshall Faulk | '04: Michael Vick | '05: Ray Lewis | '06: Donovan McNabb | '07: Shaun Alexander