McNabb, Eagles fans had a love-hate relationship

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Donovan McNabb was famously booed upon being drafted and many fans were eager to see him go.

In between, McNabb went to six Pro Bowls, led the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance — and set franchise records in nearly every passing category.

Yet to some McNabb’s years in Philadelphia always will be measured by what he didn’t accomplish. He failed to win an NFL championship. To those who emphasize the bottom line, that’s all that counts.

The McNabb Era ended Sunday night when the Eagles traded the star quarterback to the Washington Redskins for a pair of draft picks. The 33-year-old McNabb joins new Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, who won consecutive Super Bowls with John Elway in Denver more than a decade ago.

Philadelphia turns to McNabb’s understudy, promising but unproven Kevin Kolb. They also have Michael Vick as insurance.

“Obviously we have a lot of confidence in Kevin Kolb to make this decision,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said

McNabb’s relationship with the notoriously tough Philly fans immediately got off to a rocky start in 1999. A group of 30 fans — some with their faces painted midnight green and silver — went to the NFL draft in New York and booed vociferously when the team selected McNabb instead of running back Ricky Williams with the No. 2 pick.

The fans said they weren’t booing McNabb personally, rather the fact the Eagles didn’t take Williams. McNabb and his parents have never forgotten it.

With his strong arm and scrambling ability, McNabb won Philly over by his second year as he turned the Eagles into a perennial playoff contender.

So what’s McNabb’s legacy in Philadelphia?

“I think it should be that he was the greatest quarterback ever to play for the Philadelphia Eagles to this point,” Reid said.