The Art of Being Donovan McNabb

The question of what's in a name is an age-old inquiry, but to view this year's version of the Philadelphia Eagles interacting with their fan base seems to resurrects the sanctity of it all anew.

How else can you explain how Philly remains renowned as the bastion of Brotherly Love when all the so-called diehards have so instantly turned their backs on their thought to be beloved Eagles?

Yes, the Eagles have sputtered to an 0-2 start thus far this young season and Coach Andy Reid's team has been about as appealing to watch as reruns of Britney's latest meltdown. Still, when you consider the four consecutive NFC title game appearances and the memorably valiant Super Bowl effort of the last few years, one has to wonder if the crime is befitting of the punishment.

Certainly, it's made Donovan McNabb wonder. Wonder to the point the Eagles star quarterback appeared this week on HBO's Real Sports where he spoke of how he feels African-American quarterbacks like himself are far more harshly critiqued and face more pressures than all others who play the position.

Now, before you simply dismiss McNabb's contention as just another instance of a spoiled, privileged, sense-of-entittlement athlete again playing the race card whenever  confronted about his deeds or acts, let's consider the legacy thus constructed by Donovan McNabb over the coarse of his nine-year career.

Only four quarterbacks before him have ventured where Donovan McNabb has routinely taken his team in leading them to that aforementioned streak of conference title games appearances. His .663 winning percentage leads all active QBs with at least 95 starts and his seven playoff wins far surpass the career numbers of any other Eagle signal caller.

How is it then that the perennial Pro Bowler is as well known in Philly for management's seemingly incessant desire to rid itself of him as he is for anything else? It's almost as if Rush Limbaugh himself has been thrust into the role of team GM.

And it hasn't ended there. In years past, McNabb has had to withstand the rancor of local pundits and city officials alike, with one-time Philly Mayor Ed Rendell once leading a rowdy bunch of detractors booing the team's first-round selection of him in the 1999 draft.

No, life in Philadelphia ain't been no crystal stair for Donovan McNabb. And still he rises. Rises to win, to lead his team, all with dignity and aplomb.

And so, when the likes of Donovan McNabb utters words such as those he spoke on Real Sports one would be keen to heed them. Take them to heart the same way McNabb has always seemed to do in effecting the plight of his team and understanding his supreme role in making them all the can be.

You see, all his career Donovan McNabb has played the game by all the rules. Is it now too much that he seeks an even playing field?

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