College Football

Syracuse Football: Will Rush Limbaugh keep Donovan McNabb out of the Hall of Fame?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:59 p.m. ET

Fansided, Paul a. Esden Sr./FanSided via Inside the Loud House

Former SU great, Donovan McNabb is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But did controversial comments from a polarizing figure damage McNabb?

While this year Donovan McNabb is one of seven quarterbacks nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The question is will a sound bite from a pompous blowhard prevent him from having a bust in Canton? Time will tell.

But first, let’s go into a little history of what Donovan McNabb has accomplished in his football career. While he was the starting QB for the Syracuse Orange from 1995-1998 he set school records and Big East records for passing yards and touchdowns, named the Big East’s offensive player of the decade for the 1990’s, 1998 Heisman finalist and was the second highest draft selection ever being the second player drafted in the 1999 NFL draft, only Ernie Davis selected first being a higher pick.

In his professional career he made the Philadelphia Eagles relevant. Over 11 seasons with the Eagles Donovan threw for 32,873 yards and more importantly in eight of his eleven seasons he took them to the playoffs. To put that in perspective the Eagles have made it to the playoffs 24 times in their franchise history.

To break that down a little further, the Eagles have played 40 playoff games with a record of

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19-21; under Donovan’s leadership they played 16 playoff games with a 9-7 record. Let’s put this into perspective in the 70 year franchise history of the Eagles, Donovan McNabb is responsible for half of the total wins in the playoffs.

Donovan was greeted to his time in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ with boos the day he was drafted and ended his time with cheers as he was traded to the Washington Redskins. Not too much of a surprise as this is the city that threw ice balls at Santa and cheered as Michael Irvin was carted off the field with a broken neck.

So to say he was the best QB in Philadelphia history is like saying you are the brightest peanut in a turd. How did he stack up against other QBs in NFL history? He is just outside of the top twenty in All-time passing leaders at 21. This is ahead of a few names you may be familiar with Steve Young, Jim Kelly and Troy Aikman.

All of these individuals have one thing in common, yes, the Hall of Fame. While another data point is there are four QBs in NFL history for have led their teams to four straight championship games: Tom Brady, Ken Stabler, Troy Aikman and Donovan McNabb. All of this was done with a string of ‘no name’ wide receivers. The only quarterback who has done more with less is Dan Marino.

Back to the beginning, in October 2003, Donovan McNabb had been to three straight Pro Bowls and two consecutive NFC championship games and was the runner-up for NFL MVP in his first full season as a starter. When a commentator known for his controversial opinions on Sunday NFL Countdown stated:

“I don’t think he (Donovan) has been that good from the get-go. I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of a team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.” via ESPN.com

Rush Limbaugh was subsequently released from ESPN following his statement but I believe the damage was done. While this stigma seemingly followed Donovan for the rest of his career.

I hope that the Pro Football Hall of Fame looks past the lingering words of this jackass, the color of his skin and Donovan’s contributions and make him the eight Orange player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.