Unless you're one of the rare New England Patriots fans in Central New York, it's pretty obvious who this region wants to win the Super Bowl.
Donovan McNabb.
Yes, he plays for the Eagles but we really don't care about them, for us this Super Bowl is all about McNabb.
He spent five years in our area and made an impact not felt since the days of Ernie Davis. Donovan McNabb is the kind of guy that comes along once in a lifetime. Why did he captivate us, so much, that even six years after he played his last game at Syracuse, he is still the most popular Orange athlete (Sorry Carmelo, Hak and Gerry)?
Donovan has it.
It is that charisma, that cool, that ability to lead in the toughest of times, that smile that is the most genuine in sports since Magic Johnson.
It is the ability to make his teammates play harder and at a better level.
It is the reason why McNabb was able to handle being booed by Eagle fans on draft day and turn it into a positive.
It is the belief that anything is possible, whether throwing four touchdown passes with a broken ankle or escaping a crazy rush, scrambling around forever and finding an open receiver.
It can't be measured but it can be felt, not physically, but you know it's there.
It is the reason why McNabb can lead the underdog Eagles to an upset of the defending World Champion Patriots.
McNabb isn't quick like Michael Vick, and he doesn't have the arm strength of Carson Palmer or the ability to pick a defense apart like Peyton Manning.
He can do those things - he has the physical skills to be a quality NFL quarterback - but there isn't one attribute he's well known for.
Now mentally, that's where McNabb is strongest. I still wonder how McNabb handled being booed unmercifully by Eagles fans on draft day?
Draft day is supposed to be the highlight of a football player's life and McNabb's was sullied by Eagle fans who wanted Ricky Williams. You wonder what would have happened if the Eagles had drafted Williams.
You think every Eagle fan who booed McNabb has kicked themselves by now.
What about the Rush Limbaugh controversy? Again, who would have blamed McNabb for going on the offensive?
But instead of using his mouth, McNabb used his brains and athletic ability to prove he is a great quarterback, period.
McNabb is a class act, simple as that. He was raised the right way and that upbringing has come through for him time and time again.
My favorite McNabb memory isn't even related to football. Most of us remember that McNabb was a walk-on on the Syracuse basketball team. He may be the only man to play in a Final Four and a Super Bowl.
Anyways, remember the Georgetown game in 1996? McNabb saw significant playing time and made some key plays under the basket. I couldn't believe the lack of fear when the smaller McNabb went inside on a huge Hoya center.
After the win, McNabb had this, #"aw shucks, it was nothing#" look. It wasn't a big deal.
And when Syracuse was on its way to the Final Four, who was on the bench, trying to get his team up?
You know who.
So when McNabb takes the field Sunday, he is representing Philadelphia, Syracuse and his hometown of Chicago. He is representing his family, his teammates and his fans.
Somehow, I know, he won't let us down.
Sciria, The Citizen's sports
editor, can be reached at
253-5311, ext. 258 or
citizensports@lee.net
Yes, he plays for the Eagles but we really don't care about them, for us this Super Bowl is all about McNabb.
He spent five years in our area and made an impact not felt since the days of Ernie Davis. Donovan McNabb is the kind of guy that comes along once in a lifetime. Why did he captivate us, so much, that even six years after he played his last game at Syracuse, he is still the most popular Orange athlete (Sorry Carmelo, Hak and Gerry)?
Donovan has it.
It is that charisma, that cool, that ability to lead in the toughest of times, that smile that is the most genuine in sports since Magic Johnson.
It is the ability to make his teammates play harder and at a better level.
It is the reason why McNabb was able to handle being booed by Eagle fans on draft day and turn it into a positive.
It is the belief that anything is possible, whether throwing four touchdown passes with a broken ankle or escaping a crazy rush, scrambling around forever and finding an open receiver.
It can't be measured but it can be felt, not physically, but you know it's there.
It is the reason why McNabb can lead the underdog Eagles to an upset of the defending World Champion Patriots.
McNabb isn't quick like Michael Vick, and he doesn't have the arm strength of Carson Palmer or the ability to pick a defense apart like Peyton Manning.
He can do those things - he has the physical skills to be a quality NFL quarterback - but there isn't one attribute he's well known for.
Now mentally, that's where McNabb is strongest. I still wonder how McNabb handled being booed unmercifully by Eagles fans on draft day?
Draft day is supposed to be the highlight of a football player's life and McNabb's was sullied by Eagle fans who wanted Ricky Williams. You wonder what would have happened if the Eagles had drafted Williams.
You think every Eagle fan who booed McNabb has kicked themselves by now.
What about the Rush Limbaugh controversy? Again, who would have blamed McNabb for going on the offensive?
But instead of using his mouth, McNabb used his brains and athletic ability to prove he is a great quarterback, period.
McNabb is a class act, simple as that. He was raised the right way and that upbringing has come through for him time and time again.
My favorite McNabb memory isn't even related to football. Most of us remember that McNabb was a walk-on on the Syracuse basketball team. He may be the only man to play in a Final Four and a Super Bowl.
Anyways, remember the Georgetown game in 1996? McNabb saw significant playing time and made some key plays under the basket. I couldn't believe the lack of fear when the smaller McNabb went inside on a huge Hoya center.
After the win, McNabb had this, #"aw shucks, it was nothing#" look. It wasn't a big deal.
And when Syracuse was on its way to the Final Four, who was on the bench, trying to get his team up?
You know who.
So when McNabb takes the field Sunday, he is representing Philadelphia, Syracuse and his hometown of Chicago. He is representing his family, his teammates and his fans.
Somehow, I know, he won't let us down.
Sciria, The Citizen's sports
editor, can be reached at
253-5311, ext. 258 or
citizensports@lee.net
