Look, I did it just for kicks

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Jim Devlin said he was looking for a reaction when he wore his white Donovan McNabb Redskins jersey to the sidelines of Eagles practice Wednesday.

He certainly got one, mostly after the Eagles asked him to take if off.

The King of Prussia man, attending practice with a friend who had a sideline pass through his company, said he was looking to get a "rise" out of fellow fans, maybe absorb some good-natured ribbing.

But he said there was little response.

That all changed when the jersey caught the attention of someone within the team and Devlin was asked to remove it. According to Devlin, an Eagles security man told him that coach Andy Reid had mentioned the jersey twice.

The security staffer later said Reid wasn't involved.

Suddenly, a fan who had garnered almost no notice became a national story.

Devlin said he was surprised Reid would care about a fan's jersey.

"I would be worried about these guys," he said, gesturing to the field, "more than these guys," he concluded, waving toward the spectators.

A team spokesman said the Eagles don't let fans wear opposing teams' gear on the sidelines.

Reid is known to run a tight camp. Earlier this year he spotted a staffer from about 30 yards away wearing a hat slightly askew. Reid sent his security man over to tell the staffer to straighten it.

Aides sometimes check to make sure reporters are not leaning against anything during practice or carrying water bottles to the field, both Reid no-nos.

Devlin was hardly outraged, though. He removed the jersey, stored it in a clear plastic Eagles bag, and watched the remainder of the morning practice from the sidelines.

He said the Eagles staff was non-confrontational about the whole thing.

Devlin also said he likes McNabb, not the Redskins.

- Jonathan Tamari