An Open Letter to Donovan McNabb

Hello Donovan,

On April 17, 1999, you were chosen No. 2 by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles' fans in attendance booed the pick—they wanted a ganja smoking running back from Texas.

Needless to say, you still get booed occasionally in Philadelphia, but you have to remember, we boo Santa Claus...and throw snowballs at him.

We don't boo because we hate you.

We boo because we love you.

Yeah, that is a little backwards, but if we knew you didn't have potential—with the right players—we wouldn't bother.

We Philadelphia fans have been through a lot.

For the better part of 20 years, Philadelphia has seen its ups and downs (the ups, inevitably ending in downs). This kind of stuff really wears on us. When a city falls head over heels for a team—not unlike a girlfriend—the aftermath of a break-up (or in this case, a devastating lose) can bring on some major trust issues.

Donovan, you have been to the NFC Championship five times, taking us to one Super Bowl. Despite the critics, who love to make Philadelphia look like Bud Selig in the wake of Manny Ramirez testing positive for a female fertility drug, we know you're a great football player.

With your newly added weapons, we true Philadelphians know you can take us to the promise land.

You have been asking for some offensive fire power and were given it (albeit young). You have a wonderful cast in front of you, which means you should spend less time on your back and more time being able to look down field.

Brian Dawkins in gone, and this is your year to lead your team to victory.

We believe in you!

When you take Jeremy Maclin out to dinner for catching that fastball over the middle and turning it into a Super Bowl birth, remember this letter.

When LeSean McCoy catches that screen pass and takes it to the house for a Super Bowl victory, remember this letter.

When you're driving down Broad Street with that signature smile, blinded by confetti...remember this letter and look around—the boos have subsided.

P.S. Donovan, please don't take female fertility drugs. Also, when you say you're going to retire, stay retired!

Yours Truly,

The City of Brotherly Love