McNabb Redskins Jersey Guy Rocks Kolb in PM
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb Redskins Jersey Guy Rocks Kolb in PM
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Eagles fan Jim Devlin, the guy Eagles security asked to take off his Donovan McNabb Redskins jersey during the morning session of training camp, appeared for the afternoon practice wearing a red No. 4 Eagles Kevin Kolb practice jersey.
Devlin, of King of Prussia, said he bought the Kolb jersey during lunch break, from the souvenir stand. He said he'd intended to buy a Kolb jersey at some point, and figured this was as good a time as any.
Devlin seemed taken aback by the media stir he'd caused. He spent much of the afternoon practice talking to Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko and security official Dom DiSandro.
In the morning, Devlin said DiSandro told him coach Andy Reid wanted the jersey removed. Boyko later said Reid in fact had not noticed the jersey, that DiSandro was invoking Reid's general feelings, and not acting on a specific request.
Boyko said the Eagles don't have a hard-and-fast policy on such things, but that credentialied guests, as opposed to people who just come and sit in the stands, are supposed to be screened at their entry onto the field at Lehigh, and that the wearing of other teams' jerseys is discouraged.
Devlin was on the sideline on a guest pass, provided by friend Frank Deutchki, of Schwenksville, who accompanied him. Devlin said he was surprised by the whole scene, but emphasized there were no hard feelngs.
"I wasn't trying to make a statement, I was just trying to get a reaction out of the fans," said Devlin, who said he understood the organization's "business decision" to part with McNabb in April, and likes what he has seen from Kolb.
Devlin, who said he bought the jersey about a month ago, said he wore it to the Phils-Mets game Sunday, drawing scattered notices of disapproval from other fans. He said he wasn't expecting to draw reaction from the Eagles
"If you're (running) training camp, something like that, you're probably focused on other things -- I'd probably be worried about these guys (pointing toward the players) than all of these guys (the fans and media)," he said.
It was Devlin's first visit to training camp. He said if he'd known it would be a problem, he would have bought and worn a Stewart Bradley jersey.
After the forced removal, Deutchki carried the jersey in a plastic bag, with Devlin wearing a red T-shirt.
Fans here and there have worn Eagles McNabb jerseys at this camp without incident.
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On the field, tight end Brent Celek (illness) did not practice in the morning session, which was not conducted in pads or with hitting. Celek returned for the afternoon. He said he'd eaten cheesecake the night before that had set out too long.
Cornelius Ingram, back at full speed after time off earlier this week, and Clay Harbor took snaps with the first team in Celek's absence.
Running back Mike Bell also took part in the workouts. Defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, who has been out with a concussion, returned for the afternoon practice after missing the morning.
Center Nick Cole and cornerback Macho Harris remain sidelined.
Kicker David Akers returned to the morning practice after missing the last two days.
*Kolb beat an all-out blitz with a flip over the top to an uncovered Shady McCoy.
*Next blitz, Trevor Laws and Trent Cole got into Kolb's face, batting down his pass attempt.
*Kelley Washington blocked a Ken Parrish punt.
*Asante Sanuel jumped a DeSean Jackson route and knocked the ball away.
***
Todd Herremans declined further comment on Tweetgate. Herremans took down a Tweet and apologized after opining that the third season of True Blood unleashed a "barrage of homosexuality."
Jeremy Maclin, not surprisingly, was displeased by the huge deal some media outlets made of whatever his apparently minor on-field argument with DeSean Jackson was about. Maclin decried the tendency of people to invent a narrative, when, in fact, no one overheard what was said.
"It wasn't a big deal," Maclin said. "It wasn't anything."
Maclin sent this Tweet to Jackson yesterday evening: "Reporters lookin to start somethin ... funny how that works ... riding all day."
Andy, I think you have more things to worry about, like an OFFENSIVE LINE!!— duckman15- Andy better hope that Kevin Kolb is the second coming of Johnny Unitas, or he'll be seeing a lot more of those jerseys.— drbob1
- If you are a guest on the sidelines why would you want to insult the organization that invited you there as a guest? If you are on the sideline then I assume you are either with the media or associated with the team in some way. I bet they wouldn't ask people in the stands to do that.
- Why doesn't Andy get rid of Vick? That upsets a lot of fans. Once again it shows how classless the Eagles are- they sell a guy a shirt and then don't let them wear it. Next thing you know they'll invite fans to an event, charge them money, and have a drawing to see who gets shot at the end of the event.— jtj10
- Good for Andy. Obviously the guy that wore the shirt got the reaction he was looking for. Dope.— TheMan
- Both TomCrymes and TheMan make a good point. It's one thing in the stands, it's rude if the team invited you to be a guest on the sidelines. But again, I have a feeling they'll have more than their share of those guys at the Linc this year. Unless they stop them at the gate.— drbob1
- friends don't let friends wear McNabb Redskin jerseys. Eagles 2010=SUPER BOWL!!!— notch44
- absolitely ridiculous to make a fan remove a jersey. absolutely ridiculous.— Menace.II.Sobriety
- So, is the Big Redhead going to have all such attendees removed from home games, too????— Marchmadness
- Big RED should have had Butch kick him out of the stadium,go stand on the deadskins sideline you loser (probably was panpizza or 49cent..good move Big RED!...2012-SB!!......wolf.— wolf 4
- This is what you get paid to write Les? You are getting more pathetic by the day!— mmonahan
- If you are a true Eagles fan, you would NEVER wear a Redskins jersey. If you are not an Eagles fan, get off of our field.— mikeyhigs
- If andy was smart about it, he would have run a pass play towards this clown on the side line and let Kolb peg him in the nose with the pass.— barefoot
- Can go either way on this, and Im not a big fan of control freaks, but in this case they did the right thing only because the guy is obviously just looking for a reaction. Both sides may need to do some growing up, but much more so for this loser who was looking to irritate the same people who allowed him access to the sidelines to start with. Its just ignorant.— Sewellmatt
- Stay classy, Eagles!— smel4727
