Sports Pro File: Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb was born November 25, 1976, the second of two children for Sam and Wilma McNabb. Donovan grew up on the South Side of Chicago with his brother, Sean. Donovan would become a star two sport athlete at Mount Carmel High School. He was the point guard on a basketball team that also included future NBA all star Antoine Walker. It was on the gridiron that McNabb really shined. He caught the attention of football powerhouse colleges, such as Nebraska, but he chose to attend Syracuse University in New York instead.

McNabb would play on the Orangemen basketball team for two years, though he was only a bench player on coach Jim Boeheim's squad. His first year on the team, Syracuse advanced all the way to the NCAA Championship game, but lost to Kentucky, a team that included McNabb's former high school teammate Antoine Walker.

The football field at Syracuse is where McNabb would make his name. He was a four year starter and was named the Big East Conference player of the year three times in a row. He set team records for passing touchdowns and total offensive yards. Going into the 1999 NFL draft McNabb was considered the second best quarterback on the board, behind only Kentucky's Tim Couch. He would eventually be taken with the second overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. The pick was met with a chorus of boos from the fans, they wanted the Eagles to take Texas running back Ricky Williams. It was at this moment that the love/hate relationship between McNabb and the city of Philadelphia started.

In his 11 seasons with the Eagles McNabb has been named to the Pro Bowl six times. He has led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. He has been part of an unprecedented run of success for the team. Yet with all his accomplishments there seems to be a disconnect between McNabb, the team, and the city.

There have been some bumps in the road for sure. Philly fans will point to his 1-4 record in NFC Championship games, including losing three in a row. There was the feud between him and wide receiver Terrell Owens, which included Owens questioning McNabb's toughness after the team's loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. Then there is McNabb inexplicably not knowing that NFL games can end in a tie, even though he had been in the league for nine years.

With all that said I fail to understand the fan's and the team's apparent lack of respect for McNabb. He seems like a good family man, though Tiger wood's has proved that appearances can be deceiving. He does a good deal of charity work including the formation of the Donovan McNabb Diabetes Camp for Kids. The fans are all for moving McNabb to another team. The team has made it clear that he is available for a high drat pick. McNabb's name has been linked with the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and St. Louis Rams. Maybe it is time for the marriage to dissolve, and for all parties to get a fresh start, I for one just can't understand why it didn't work out.