Donovan McNabb (Part 2)

This is part 2 of the 3 part Donovan McNabb fall 2010 series.  In part 1, I explained why Donovan McNabb was not mistreated by the fans or the organization during his time in Philadelphia.  In part 2, I will analyze McNabb’s reception in his return to Philadelphia this Sunday.

Donovan McNabb returned to Lincoln Financial Field yesterday for the first time since he was traded to the Redskins last offseason.  National pundits far and wide debated whether or not McNabb would be booed or cheered upon entrance.  Most pundits gave the answer of a resounding boo.  Jamele Hill specifically wrote about how the fans will boo McNabb because that is exactly what they did to him when he was in Philadelphia, and wrote that McNabb deserves to crush the Eagles on Sunday.  Very few pundits were intelligent enough to realize that McNabb would without question receive a standing ovation, and I am one of the only people I know who went on record saying that McNabb would receive such an ovation.

The problem with these national pundits is, quite simply, that they have no idea what they are talking about.  The fact is that most of these national pundits have never been to the city of Philadelphia, or have never been to a game with Philadelphia fans.  Instead, they play upon the general consensus (based on little fact) that Philadelphia fans conduct themselves will significantly less class than other cities.  Specifically, other Northeastern cities.  They have heard the stories about Santa Claus being booed and pelted with snowballs (which occurred 50 years ago mind you), and they have heard stories about Veterans Stadium fans in the 700 level.  There is a stereotype that has been built for some reason for the past few decades about Philadelphia fans, and the national pundits buy in and use it as a punch line consistently.  Just listen to Sportscenter or NFL Live next time they are talking about Philadelphia, you will see exactly what I mean if you do not already.

For example, just this past week, ESPN NFL Live analyst Mark Schlereth made multiple tongue-in-cheek comments in which he belittled the Philadelphia fans for having no class because they 1) boo opposing players and 2) threw snowballs at Santa Claus.  However, in the same segment, he addressed the issue with Green Bay LB Nick Simmons and the Bears fan who directed a racial slur at Simmons.  He made no comment about Bears fans as a whole, and simply stated that it is the player’s responsibility to not respond to fans, and moved on without any more discussion.  Are You Kidding Me?  How can these paid professionals in the broadcasting industry be so shortsighted and be unable to think for themselves in any capacity.  The list goes on, however.  David Lloyd, Chris McKendry, and Kevin Negandhi are only a few examples of Sportscenter anchors who made unnecessary, ridiculous, and completely insensitive comments about Philadelphia fans 1) without any basis and 2) clearly not knowing what they were talking about.

Therefore, no wonder many people, broadcasters and fans alike, believed that McNabb would be booed.  They bought into the stereotype of Philly fans without any knowledge or thought on their part, and as a result simply assumed that Philly fans do not respect their athletes and would boo McNabb.  However, Philadelphia fans do respect their athletes, including and especially Donovan McNabb (see “Why Donovan McNabb was NOT Mistreated in Philadelphia”).  There was no question in my mind that the fans Sunday would cheer McNabb and give him a standing ovation, and the Philadelphia fans responded just as I knew they would have and just as they should have.  Shame on the national pundits who consistently use Philadelphia fans as a punch line and made the ridiculous and poorly thought out assumption that McNabb would be booed in Philadlelphia this Sunday.