Eagles will retire Donovan McNabb’s number 5 jersey
By Mike Dyce
The Philadelphia Eagles plan on retiring Donovan McNabb’s number 5 jersey at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19th. That will make him the 8th player to have his jersey retired by the franchise over 80 years.
“Donovan McNabb was a franchise-changing quarterback for the Eagles and helped raise the bar of success for this franchise during his 11-year tenure with the team,” Lurie said via the team’s website. “On the field, the numbers that Donovan posted during his time in an Eagles uniform speak for themselves. He is the franchise leader in nearly every major passing category and is the all-time winningest quarterback in Eagles history. His unique ability to make plays through the air and with his legs made him one of the most dynamic players this city has ever seen. Donovan was the face and the focal point of so many of our great Eagles teams and he helped make this franchise a contender each and every year that he was here.
“The number ‘5’ has become synonymous with one of the greatest eras of Eagles football,” added Lurie, “And ensuring that no one else will ever wear Donovan’s number, we honor one of the greatest playmakers to ever wear an Eagles uniform.”
McNabb has established several franchise records including regular and postseason wins by a quarterback. He also holds records for passing yards (32,873) and passing touchdowns (216).
Donovan McNabb thanked his teammates and got emotional while thanking head coach Andy Reid.
“Eleven great years,” McNabb said, via NFL.com. “We made history, big fella.”
“As a general manager, you are always on the lookout for a player like Donovan,” said General Manager Howie Roseman. “He was a guy who poured everything he had into becoming the best player that he could possibly be. You could count on Donovan to bring it, day-in and day-out, no matter what the circumstances were.
“The game against Arizona in 2002, when he led us to a win despite playing with a broken ankle, is something I will never forget. He represented this franchise and this city with class,” added Roseman.
McNabb had a love hate relationship with the fans, but compared it to a marriage. He is ready to move past the booing.
“Let’s put the booing to rest,” McNabb said. “That was the beginning of the era, and this is the end. I don’t talk about the booing until you guys ask.”