McNabb: 'I think I will be more cheered'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb: 'I think I will be more cheered'
Daily News staff
Donovan McNabb said he expects to be cheered Sunday when he returns to Lincoln Financial Field for the first time since he was traded to the Washington Redskins, at least “until the whistle blows and the game starts.”
“Honestly, I think I will be more cheered,” McNabb said today on his weekly radio show in on ESPN-980 in Washington. “No matter what the situation is, right now I’m with a different team and it’s a rival and it wasn’t my choice. We had a successful 11 years. We had a lot of exciting plays and obviously some down times, but there were more exciting things in 11 years.”
McNabb also reiterated that “I wasn’t the one looking to get out.”
McNabb said he has not yet thought about what his emotions will be on Sunday.
“I truly haven’t,” he said. “Everyone else that I’ve talked to has and rightly so. I’ve been on the other side of the tide with other guys who have come in, Brian Dawkins, Troy Vincent and the list goes on, Jeremiah Trotter …
“I think in this situation, I’ll be open-minded at what happens … Everyone wants to know how I feel, my emotions. I really can’t answer that. Right now, it’s just focusing on playing against the Philadelphia Eagles. I would have an answer for you during the game about my emotions and how I felt during the game. I’m all in here in Washington and looking forward to turning things around.”
McNabb said he understands why people are making it “a bigger story,” but he says these situations have happened before and “as a player, life goes on.”
“I’ve always said that I look at it just like a normal game,” he said. “This is game the Washington Redskins need. It wouldn’t matter if it were the Cowboys or the Giants. After the last two weeks, this is a must-win situation for us. We just look forward to the challenge.”
McNabb said he has spoken with Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb over the last few weeks and hopes to talk to Andy Reid, although Reid indicated he is not allowed to talk to a player on another team, per NFL rules.
“I think this week is going to be the same as us communicating and see how each other is doing and wish each other luck. Nothing out of the ordinary,” McNabb said of talking to Vick and Kolb. “I’ll talk to Andy, congratulate him on the last couple of weeks, find out what he’s having for lunch and dinner.
He said, laughing, “I’m trying to get Sean McDermott’s number to get some clues to what he’s trying to do this game, maybe Asanté Samuel, Trent Cole, Stewart Bradley.”
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Donovan DESERVES our cheers out of the tunnel from our crowd. After the game starts, he's the opposing QB.— dlscholt
He will be booed more because of his character, not his performance.- When are we re-signing Vick? I'm thinking 3 or 4 years. Also, we should have drafted Earl Thomas, 2 INT's on Sunday. Also, we should have given McNabb one more year.— mundiff
- The people (like CJ84) who don't see how McNabb is classy are strange to me -- I really don't understand what you want him to do to be more classy. And why anyone would boo him at the beginning of the game is beyond me -- there is no reason to do anything but cheer the guy who made us a relevant team for the past 11 years. As for Vick versus McNabb, I still prefer McNabb. Vick is exciting right now, but he has an average track record in his career and just played two bad teams...plus he is still a question mark in my mind as a truly rehabilitated person, even though I agree he seems to be doing and saying the right things for now.— kks
- McNabb WAS the best Eagles QB yet, hands down, but he is past his prime and on the decline. I also think he didn't get as much help offensively as he needed.That being said, it was time for him to go, time for a change, and I can't wait for Vick to light up the Skins on Sunday!!! GO BIRDS!— NFreakinL
- McNabb is/was a CLASS ACT, he deserves a standing ovation-if you boo you just don't have a clue!!— hmitch
- That Don is a funny guy. I was always a McNabb supporter, but if you boo him for his intro, you're an asshat. If you don't boo him during the game, you're a bad Philly fan.— adamb103
- You have to give the man his due for 11 years of competition but after the kickoff all bets are off— BigLadd
- You know what is really classy? Doing a noble cause and not getting on some website and getting on your high horse saying what a great person you are and then spouting off because you put yourself back financially for a decade. And just because you work for a non-proft organization does not make you Ghandi. Your work may be noble and respected but your actions are not. BTW, I guarantee McNabb gets way more cheers than boos and I will be there.— oharabri
Bill20..you are a f'in idiot, woman— elijah29
Comment removed.- 5 is the best quarterback in Eagles history. Show some appreciation and have some class.— cjgaddis
- Eagles fans' true colors will come out on Sunday. The fact that we're still talking about what a "dissappointment" he's been shows how ignorant and spoiled Eagles fans truly are. I've got a special plan for any fan who sits in front of me at the Linc on Sunday. I'm gonna get so drunk and debauched in the parking lot beforehand that when I get to my seats, and they announce #5's name before kickoff, I'll have no choice but to empty my stomach contents on whomever is in front of me at the time. I hope it's not someone's little girl but I can't control that part of it.That's the only appropriate response to this situation and one the deserves to represent Philly in front of the national media. Oh, and I prefer McNabb over Vick - any day and watch out for late helmet shots to the knees.— dirty-waters
Puh-leaze....most non-profits and not-for-profits are a joke. They make money by begging for it from people and businesses that DO make money. Yes, some are doing worthwhile, above-board things, but most are not and the idea that simply be being involved with or associated with a non-profits is somehow makes one a better person is ridiculous. That being said, cheer McNabb for his 11 years of service before the game when he is announced and then treat him with the respect due an opposing quarterback come game time.- Comment removed.
