Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He has been the Eagles franchise quarterback since 1999. McNabb played college football for Syracuse University. The Eagles selected him as the second overall pick of the 1999 NFL Draft.

McNabb led the Eagles to four division championships (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004), four NFC Championship Games (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004), one NFC Championship (2004), and one Super Bowl appearance (XXXIX). One of McNabb's most famous plays is 4th and 26, completed against the Green Bay Packers in a 2003 NFC Divisional Playoff Game.

He is currently the least intercepted quarterback in NFL historyFact: date=September 2008. He is also the Eagles All-Time leader in career wins and touchdownsFact: date=September 2008.

Early years

McNabb grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Mt. Carmel High School where, as a sophomore, he helped Mount Carmel win the 1991 State Championship. As a senior, he led the team to a Chicago Prep Bowl championship. McNabb also excelled in track and field during his high school years, and played on the school basketball team with Antoine Walker.

College career

After McNabb left high school he was the source of much interest by college recruiters, though only two colleges - Syracuse University and the University of Nebraska - offered him a scholarship to play as a quarterback. He initially leaned toward attending Nebraska, as he relished the idea of being coached by Tom Osborne. Eventually, however, he decided to attend Syracuse, principally because he wanted to prove he was a competent "pocket passer", but also for academic reasons.

One of the most decorated athletes in Syracuse University history, McNabb was a four-year starter as quarterback and a reserve on the school's nationally ranked basketball team. On the gridiron, he was named the Big East Conference's offensive player of the decade for the 1990s, and 'offensive player of the year an unprecedented three times from 1996-98, as well as the first-team all-conference vote earner in each of his four seasons. Later, he was named to the Syracuse All-Century Football team.

McNabb started every game during his college career, compiling a 35–14 record. He red shirted in 1994. As a freshman, he was the Big East rookie of the year and completing a 96-yard touchdown pass against West Virginia University, the longest in SU history, while accounting for 354 total yards of offense. McNabb amassed 2,892 yards of total offense in his junior season to set a school record. As a senior, he led Syracuse to a berth in the Orange Bowl against Florida as he completed 157 of 251 passes (62.5%) for 2,134 yards; he also pushed the eventual champions, the 1998 Tennessee Volunteers, to the limit in a very close game. His 22 touchdown passes tied the school's single season record, set by former Eagle Don McPherson in 1987. McNabb also rushed 135 times for 438 yards and 8 touchdowns. He ranked sixth in the nation with a 158.9 Passer rating and 22nd in total offense, with 233.8 yards per game. He tied a school record with 4 touchdown passes against Cincinnati, and scored 5 touchdowns against Miami (3 rushing and 2 passing).