Staff Blog
Will “ties are for necks” be Donovan McNabb’s legacy?
Chris Webber played in the NBA for 17 seasons, averaging 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds. He won the 93-94 Rookie of the Year, he was on an all-NBA team five times, he led the league in rebounds, he made five all star teams and earned nearly 200 million dollars professionally. Still, when a hardcore sports fan hears the words “Chris Webber” they will inevitably reply “timeout.”
One boneheaded error C-Webb made in college basically defined how he was seen for the rest of his professional career. Thank god we’re not all so unlucky – I know I had a sophomore year I’d hate to be stuck with forever.
I bring this up because now, as we begin to be able to analyze the destruction that the wake behind McNabb’s gaffe has caused, it seems increasingly likely that this:
is what he’ll be remembered for.
When Rick Chandler first suggested that this would be McNabb’s legacy I was incredulous. Not only did were reports coming back that several members of the Eagles didn’t know the tie rule, but I thought it was at least plausible that McNabb was lying about the whole thing. Still do.
But then Sam Farmer, writing in yesterday’s LA Times, penned an article entitled “Eagles’ McNabb is more than his gaffe about tie-game rule.” Here is the lede:
He probably will be remembered for admitting he didn’t know the rule for regular-season game after 13-13 draw with Bengals. But it shouldn’t overshadow quarterback’s many accomplishments.
Is it really possible that this gaffe is how we’ll all remember 5?
Does this eclipse puking in the Super Bowl? Unless he drastically changes his legacy here, I still think that’ll stand out for me, mostly because of the heightened atmosphere. If he leaves Philly without a ring, that’ll be memory No. 1, though Sunday’s gaffe certainly contributes to his legacy and will be like No. 1-a.