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Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X. Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Donovan McNabb’s career did not begin with thunderous applause. It did not start with an outpouring of Philadelphia love after being drafted from Syracuse. By the end of his career, however, #5 would finish as one of the finest quarterbacks in Eagles history.
Fifteen years earlier — the Eagles drafted another quarterback. His athleticism and cannon of an arm made him a weapon in the 80s and 90s. UNLV’s Randall Cunningham wasn’t just an incredible athlete — he was a marvel to watch at the position. Randall could throw a mile and run with rambling speed. He could even punt (just ask the Giants.)
Now Donovan McNabb Jr. has announced that he will play at UNLV after receiving 19 offers — among them Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Maryland, Minnesota, Syracuse, Washington. Alongside teammates such as Devin Fitzgerald (son of Larry Fitzgerald) McNabb caught 23 passes for 280 yards as a junior.
McNabb and Cunningham ended their Philadelphia careers as two of the best in franchise history — even if the end was less than memorable. Randall was thrust into a playoff game in Dallas that he wasn’t even prepared for after being away from the team for family reasons. Donovan was traded to the Washington in April of 2010 after a playoff loss to Dallas to end the 2009 NFL Season.
Ironically — Randall Cunningham’s career ended as a backup quarterback — including in Dallas in 2000. One of his last games was a November matchup against Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. Two years after leaving the Eagles — Donovan McNabb played his last game as a Viking — the team that Randall Cunningham had once taken to the NFC Championship Game.
McNabb would be benched in that game for Minnesota in favor of a rookie 1st Round Draft Pick named Christian Ponder.
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