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Donovan McNabb

Table of contents
1 College Highlights
2 NFL Career

College Highlights

One of the most decorated athletes in Syracuse history, he was a four-year starter at quarterback and a key reserve on the school's nationally ranked basketball team. On the gridiron was named the Big_East Conference's offensive player of the decade (1990's) and year an unprecedented three times from 1996-98 as well as the 1st-team all-conference QB in each of his four seasons. Set the Syracuse and Big East career records for TD passes (77), TDs responsible for (96), passing yards (8,389), total off. yards (9,950) and total off. plays (1,403). Set the school's all-time records for total yds. per game (221.1), passing efficiency (155.1) and yds. per att. (9.1). Finished his career ranked 2nd in school history with 8,389 yards passing, 548 comps., 938 atts. and a 58.4 comp. pct. Started every game during his career, compiling a 33-12 record. As a senior, led SU to an Orange Bowl berth vs. Florida as he completed 157 of 251 passes (62.5%) for 2,134 yards. His 22 TD passes tied the school's single season record set by former Eagle Don McPherson (1987). Also was 135-438-8TDs rushing. Ranked 6th in the nation with a 158.9 passing efficiency rating and 22nd in total offense (233.8 yards/game). Tied a school-record with 4 TD tosses vs. Cincinnati and accounted for 5 TDs vs. Miami (3 rushing and 2 passing). Amassed 2,892 yards in total offense in his junior season to set a school record. As a freshman, was the Big East rookie of the year and tossed a 96-yd. TD pass vs. West Virginia, the longest in SU history. He redshirted in 1994.

NFL Career

1999

In 1999, started 6 of the final 7 contests as he became the first
Philadelphia_Eagles rookie to start at QB since 10/13/91 (Brad_Goebel) and the first Eagles rookie draft pick to start since 1972 (John_Reaves). Saw his first NFL regular season action in the 2nd half vs. TB (9/19/99). Made his first career start vs. Wash. (11/14/99), going 21-8-60yds. passing in the 35-28 win. He went 9-49 rushing and also converted on a pair of 2-pt. conversions (1 rush and 1 pass). With the win, he became the first Eagles rookie QB to win his first NFL start since Mike_Boryla (12/1/71 vs. GB) and the first Eagle QB to win his first start since Ty_Detmer (10/13/96 at NYG). Fired the first TD pass of his career (a 6 ydr. to TE Chad_Lewis) vs. Ind. (11/21/99).

2000

In his first full season as a NFL starter in 2000, McNabb finished 2nd in the Associated Press MVP voting (24-11) to StL RB Marshall_Faulk, who set the NFL record for most TDs scored in a season. Selected as a first alternate to the NFC Pro_Bowl squad in 2000 (behind the Minnesota_Vikings Daunte_Culpepper, San_Francisco_49ers Jeff_Garcia, and St._Louis_Rams Kurt Warner). When Warner was unable to participate due to injury, McNabb led the NFC on a touchdown scoring drive in his first series. Accounted for 74.6% of the team's total net yards in 2000. Only Car.'s Steve Beuerlein (75.3%) and SF's Jeff Garcia (75.1%) had a higher pct. His 629 rushing yards in 2000 were tops among NFL QBs and the 4th-highest total ever (968 by Bobby Douglass in 1972; 942 by Cunningham in 1990; and 674 by Steve McNair in 1997). His 6 rushing TDs in 2000 were the most by an Eagles QB since Randall Cunningham had 6 in 1988. Broke the club's single season record for most attempts (569) and completions (307) in 2000, Cunningham previously set those marks (301 cmps. and 560 atts.) in 1988. Named 2000 NFL player of the year by CBS Radio and the Terry (Bradshaw) Awards on Fox Sports and was named to the All-Madden team. Made his prime time debut (ESPN) vs. Atl. (10/1/00) with his first 300-yard passing game and the Eagles first since Bobby Hoying vs. Cin. on 11/30/97. His 55 pass att's at Pit. (11/22/00) were a career-high and the 4th-highest total in team history. Named NFC offensive POW after accounting for 90.7% of offense in victory at Wash. (11/26/00). His 125 rushing yards were the most by an NFL QB since the Bears Bobby Douglass (127 on 12/17/72) and was the 6th-best rushing effort by a QB since 1940 when the "T" formation was introduced. Threw for a career-high 390 passing yards and 4 TDs at Cle. (12/10/00) en route to NFC offensive POW honors.

2001

Earned his 2nd trip to the Pro Bowl (was originally elected as an alternate) following the 2001 season after combining for 3,715 yards of total offense and establishing career highs in TD passes (25) and QB rating (84.3). Including playoffs, threw TD passes in 15 of 18 games and 2-or-more in 12 of those games Named by his teammates as the club's offensive MVP in 2000 and 2001. Led the Eagles in 4th qtr. comebacks in two wins vs. the Giants in 2001. At NYG (10/22/01), his 18-yard pass to James Thrash with 1:52 remaining gave the Eagles a 10-9 victory. At Phi. (12/30/01), wiped out a 21-14 deficit, engineering two 4th qtr. scores as the Eagles clinched the NFC East title. Tied Ron Jaworski and Tommy Thompson for the most postseason wins in franchise history by a QB (3). His 8 career playoff TDs trails only Jaworski (9) Named NFL offensive player of the week after the divisional playoff game at Chi. (1/19/02). Was 40-26-262-2TDs passing and added 37 yards and a TD on the ground. That rushing TD was the final score at the old Soldier Field. He last started at that stadium in the 1995 City High School Championship. Became only the 4th QB in Eagles history to pass for 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons - Sonny Jurgenson (1961-62), Ron Jaworski (1980-81) and Randall Cunningham (1988-90) were the others.

2003

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