Donovan McNabb: Time to Retire?

Donovan McNabb has been the faithful and charismatic leader of the Philadelphia Eagles offense for almost a decade. He has played a key role not only in his games, but off the field in the politics of football as well. 

He’s a staunch supporter of his coach Andy Reid, who since 1999 has not allowed the Eagles to fall below fifth place in the NFC East division. With a total of five NFC championship titles and seven trips to the playoffs, some Philly fans are calling for his retirement.

McNabb’s career started in 1999 after he graduated from Syracuse University. At Syracuse, he was redshirted his freshman year. He went on to set three school football records. He threw for 221.1 yards in a game, maintained a passing efficiency of 155.1, and averaged 9.1 yards per attempt. 

McNabb also set five Big East Conference records. He threw 77 touchdown passes, was responsible for 96 more, threw for 8,389 yards, grossed 9,950 offensive yards, and directed 1,403 offensive plays.  McNabb had quite the successful college career.

Then came the 1999 NFL draft.  Philadelphia football fans were recovering from an abysmal 3-13 record in 1998, and with Ray Rhodes leaving the team, a new direction was needed.  New head coach Andy Reid and his team chose McNabb as quarterback as the second pick of the draft, leaving many Philly fans confused and yearning for their initial interest—running back Ricky Williams. 

By the end of McNabb’s first season, not much had changed their minds.  While immediately improving upon the team’s previous season (5-11), it wasn’t enough to satisfy the appetite of a city that’s never won a Super Bowl.  McNabb got another chance.

The following season McNabb played a major role in reversing the record of his rookie year, and led the Eagles to second place in the NFC East with an 11-5 record.  Since then, the Eagles have not been in the top two of their division only twice, and only once has the team’s winning percentage dipped below 50%. 

As if his consistency with his team is not impressive enough, his personal stats are a marvel.

Even with the injuries he sustained between 2005 and 2007, McNabb’s maintained a relatively stable set of personal statistics.  Barring his first season, his passing completion rating has constantly hovered around 60%, spiking in the 2004 season at 64%. 

2004 is also when he received his highest quarterback rating of 104.7.  On average, his rating has leveled out to be 85.9 in the regular season and 80.1 in the playoffs, two admirable numbers when matched up with other quarterbacks in the NFL. 

However, critics of McNabb point out his career 90 interception passes, but when matched up with his 194 career touchdowns, even critics can’t deny he has one of the best touchdown—interception ratios in the sport. 

The question arises—with such constant and impressive statistics on his side, why are some calling for McNabb’s retirement?

One possible answer is the city for which McNabb plays.  Philadelphia is renowned for having fans with high expectations and low tolerance for those who don’t meet them.  They’re perhaps some of the most ruthless and scathing fans for whom to play. If McNabb was playing for a different city, it is doubtful he’d receive so much criticism.

Another possibility is that his stats have been declining since the 2004 season.  While this may be true, McNabb’s stats have dipped before, such as in 2002, but he bounced back.  Despite his 32 years of age, there is still potential for recovery and even greatness with Philadelphia’s No. 5.  He’s proven himself strong and capable in the past, and there is time for him to do the same in the future.

Regardless of anyone’s thoughts on Donovan McNabb, the numbers are undeniable—so too is his loyalty to his city and the fans at large.  Before someone begins to take the call to retirement too seriously, remember what he’s done and think about what he is capable of.  He’s led Philly to the Superbowl once—maybe he can do them one better.