Athletes - Donovan McNabb

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	Athletes - Donovan McNabb

Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. He attended Syracuse University.

Early life

Donovan grew up in Dolton, Illinois and was a standout quarterback at Mount Carmel High School on Chicago's south side. 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.

College years

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 quarterback 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 it's called Orange) Final Four team back in 1996, where it lost to the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game.

NFL career

1999

McNabb was drafted 2nd overall by the Eagles in 1999. Some Philadelphia fans felt that McNabb was not as good a choice as Texas half-back Ricky Williams. 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). 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.

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. 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 the fourth-highest total ever (968 by Bobby Douglass in 1972; 942 by Cunningham in 1990; and 674 by Steve McNair in 1997). 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.

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