McNabb fuels fire with racial comments
By Andy Jasner
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
PHILADELPHIA (TICKER) —Controversy has been swirling around the NovaCare Complex all week. But that’s nothing new for Donovan McNabb.
Whether it was the Philadelphia Eagles drafting a quarterback Kevin Kolb in the second round, responding to critical comments made by Rush Limbaugh or dealing with the Terrell Owens soap opera, it’s always been something for the embattled quarterback.
The difference this time is this - McNabb ignited the fire when he appeared on HBO’s “Real Sports” and stated that African-American quarterbacks are criticized more than white quarterbacks. Since the show aired, he has had to defend his comments.
The usually calm McNabb became a bit testy in his weekly press conference when peppered with questions about the issue. He then issued a statement on his personal blog at Yardbarker.com.
“There has been a lot of talk about the interview I did on HBO’s Real Sports. I have no apologies. I was asked a variety of questions and I answered them. The fact that the producers and publicists at HBO decided to focus on those answers that related to race shows that it remains a hot topic in society today.”
McNabb then backed off his comments a little bit, explaining his position at the time of the interview and expanding on his comments regarding fellow quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
“First, the interview took place in August before the season started,” he said. “So for those who think I ‘played the race card’ because we are 0-2 are dead wrong.
“I did not say that Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer are not criticized when they don’t play well. They have been criticized when they throw interceptions, when they throw incompletions and when their teams don’t win. They are criticized and so is every other quarterback for that matter. And that type of criticism may, in fact, be warranted. But that’s not the type of criticism that we discussed.”
McNabb then turned back to his belief that blacks and whites are held to different standards at the quarterback position.
“Black quarterbacks have to deal with different things than white quarterbacks,” he said. “If you don’t think that’s true, then you are naive. Peyton, Tom and Carson - to name a few - have never been asked what it’s like to be a white quarterback. They probably have not been told that they should have scrambled more.
“I bet Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, Jake Plummer and Doug Flutie have never been told by a member of any racial consciousness organization that they don’t play the quarterback position white enough.”
Then McNabb evidently attempted to conjure up feelings of sympathy from his readers.
“I would love to live in a world where race is not an issue, but it is,” he said. “I did not ask HBO to interview me, but I did consent. I did not bring up the topic of race, but I didn’t back down from it either.
“This interview was supposed to be about how my career has been surrounded by controversy and how my upbringing has shaped the way I have dealt with it. Unfortunately, the interview itself has created yet another controversy.”
In a final “poor me” segment, McNabb once again defended his words in the interview.
“All I did was answer the questions that were asked of me honestly and truthfully,” he said. “I had no agenda. The people of Philadelphia have criticized my coach for not answering questions. Now I’m criticized for answering questions.
“I understand if people have a different opinion or view point than I do, I really do. I think if there is one thing I understand better than most people it’s OK to be different.”
McNabb always has been a little defensive since a sampling of Eagles fans booed his selection when he was drafted nine years ago. He’s entitled to his opinion, but the timing is odd.
Even though the show was taped before the season, there was every chance McNabb could start slowly after recovering from a nasty knee injury. In losses to the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins, he has not looked like the McNabb of old. He’s not confident in the pocket. He’s not leading the receivers properly. And although he insists he’s fine, McNabb certainly doesn’t seem to be 100 percent.
But it’s not just McNabb. It’s the running game, the coaching, the defense, injuries and receivers not creating space off the line of scrimmage.
This Eagles team lost some veteran leaders in recent years, especially linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. The younger, less-experienced version of the Eagles has not clicked yet. But it starts with the quarterback.
Can the 0-2 Eagles revive their season, beginning with a victory Sunday over the 2-0 Detroit Lions? Absolutely. But Philadelphia must get back to its gameplan of 2006, which was running the football more often.
Coach Andy Reid is ultra-sensitive to questions about not running the ball enough. With a quarterback trying to locate his confidence and his rhythm, a strong running game will help immensely.
A win Sunday and a few more in a row would quell the controversy. If the Eagles lose Sunday and start the season 0-5, the fans will be calling for Kolb - and McNabb’s days could be numbered in the City of Brotherly Love.
But don’t leap to any conclusions just yet. McNabb has been around too long and endured too much year in and year out to be distracted.
The majority of fans support McNabb, but he didn’t help himself with his comments. How does he fix it? Simple - win.
