Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Rory & Mal Don't Know Ball | Donovan McNabb
Release Date: July 5, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Rory and Mal dive deep into the world of football with a special guest: legendary quarterback Donovan McNabb. The conversation spans Donovan's early life, illustrious career, insights into the modern NFL, and his perspectives on the evolving landscape of sports. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode.
1. Early Life and Chicago Roots
Donovan McNabb begins by reminiscing about his upbringing in Chicago, a city renowned for producing exceptional athletes across various sports.
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Playing Multiple Sports: McNabb shares, "It's about competing out on the black top. And for all of us, it didn't matter if you played football, didn't matter if you ran track, whatever, you still picked up a basketball and you went out to compete" (06:23).
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Chicago's Athletic Culture: He emphasizes the toughness fostered in Chicago, stating, "If you ain't tough minded. If you ain't tough physically coming out of Chicago, you ain't really from the crib" (06:30).
2. College Choice: Syracuse University
The discussion transitions to McNabb's decision to attend Syracuse University, highlighting his academic and athletic aspirations.
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Academic Excellence: McNabb explains, "I wanted to become a sports broadcaster. And they were ranked in the top two or three at that particular point academically" (08:32).
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Dual-Sport Opportunity: He appreciated the chance to play both football and basketball, which was pivotal in his decision.
3. NFL Draft Night Experience
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on McNabb's draft night with the Philadelphia Eagles and the unexpected boos he received.
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Initial Reaction to Booing: Reflecting on the moment, McNabb shares, "When my name was called during the introduction... there was slight boos then. When my name was called on actual TV, that's when the camera kind of panned to the Philadelphia. And they booed" (10:25).
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Motivation from Adversity: This experience fueled his determination to prove the skeptics wrong. "I'm pissed because now it's time for me to prove you wrong. And so that was my whole mentality from that point on" (11:36).
4. Transition to the NFL and Early Challenges
McNabb discusses the challenges he faced transitioning to the NFL, including adjusting to different playing fields and team dynamics.
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Playing on Turf Fields: He recounts, "Our turf... the bases were from the baseball field... We ended up going to field turf and changing that and then moved to Lincoln Financial" (13:36).
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First Preseason Game Cancellation: An anecdote about his first preseason game being canceled due to field conditions highlights the initial hurdles he encountered.
5. Perspectives on Modern Collegiate Sports
A significant segment delves into McNabb's views on the modern transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) regulations in college sports.
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Balancing Development and Readiness: McNabb expresses concern, "Are you recruiting these athletes out of high school to develop these kids or is it you're expecting them to come in ready?" (15:30).
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Impact of NIL on Team Dynamics: He worries about the shift towards prioritizing immediate talent over long-term development, potentially affecting team cohesion and athlete growth.
6. Evolution of Player Branding and Earnings
The conversation shifts to the evolution of player branding, jersey sales, and endorsement deals.
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Jersey Sales During Peak Era: McNabb reminisces, "We would have made our money off of the jerseys, T-shirts, hats... It wouldn't have been so much of where these kids are now" (17:57).
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Modern Endorsements vs. Past Royalties: He contrasts past royalty earnings with today's lucrative endorsement deals, emphasizing the shift in how athletes monetize their brand.
7. Involvement in Madden and Popular Culture
McNabb shares his experiences being featured in the Madden video game series and its impact on his legacy.
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Legacy in Video Games: "It was a great honor for me... being on the cover of a video game that I know everybody in America is playing" (28:18).
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Memories of Gaming with Teammates: Reflecting on playing Madden with teammates highlights the camaraderie and cultural significance of the game during his era.
8. Debunking Super Bowl Myths
Addressing a long-standing rumor, McNabb firmly denies allegations of throwing up during a Super Bowl game.
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Clear Denial: "It's false. It didn't happen. There's no video of it. I can tell you straight off top, it wasn't" (30:35).
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Impact of Social Media on Reputation: He comments on how such rumors would likely be debunked faster in today's social media age, but appreciates the enduring nature of the myth.
9. Current NFL Quarterbacks: Admiration and Analysis
McNabb offers his insights on present-day quarterbacks, highlighting those he admires and believes are making significant impacts.
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Top Quarterbacks He Watches: "I love watching Patrick. I love watching Lamar, Josh Allen. I love watching, you know, Joe Burrow and the weapons that he has" (36:43).
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Underrated QBs: He praises players like Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert, labeling them as underrated and potential stars deserving more recognition (48:46).
10. Music and Personal Interests
A lighter segment explores McNabb's musical tastes during his playing days, shedding light on his personal interests outside football.
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R&B and Philly Rap Influence: "State Property, you know, Eve. All my Philly representatives... I was an R&B head" (42:31).
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Nostalgia for Classic Hip-Hop: Reflecting on artists like R. Kelly and Avant, McNabb shares his appreciation for the lyrical depth of classic hip-hop compared to today's trends (44:36).
11. Perception Among Philadelphia Fans
Despite his achievements, McNabb addresses mixed feelings from Philadelphia fans and the reasons behind certain discontent.
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Community Engagement vs. Fan Reception: "I did a lot of stuff in the community... but to some people, he's not one of us" (46:11).
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Media as a Lightning Rod: He attributes much of the negative sentiment to his role in media post-retirement, becoming a focal point for fans' frustrations (47:09).
12. Fun Segment: Rappers Name-Dropping McNabb
Adding a playful twist, the hosts challenge McNabb to identify rappers who have mentioned him in their verses.
- Interactive Challenge: Despite the humorous struggle, McNabb enjoys the segment, highlighting the intersection of sports and music (52:50).
13. Final Thoughts and Appreciation
As the episode wraps up, the hosts express their gratitude towards McNabb, celebrating his contributions to football and his enduring legacy.
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Hosts' Appreciation: "Thank you for everything you did for the game... A legend forever" (55:38).
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Lighthearted Farewell: The conversation concludes with friendly banter about upgrading their couch, showcasing the camaraderie among the hosts and their guest (56:05).
Notable Quotes
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Donovan McNabb on Chicago's Athletic Culture:
"If you ain't tough minded. If you ain't tough physically coming out of Chicago, you ain't really from the crib." (06:30) -
McNabb on Overcoming Booing Fan Reaction:
"I'm pissed because now it's time for me to prove you wrong." (11:36) -
On Modern Collegiate Sports Dynamics:
"Are you recruiting these athletes out of high school to develop these kids or is it you're expecting them to come in ready?" (15:30) -
Reflecting on Madden Legacy:
"It was a great honor for me... being on the cover of a video game that I know everybody in America is playing." (28:18) -
Denouncing Super Bowl Rumor:
"It's false. It didn't happen. There's no video of it. I can tell you straight off top, it wasn't." (30:35)
Conclusion
This episode offers a comprehensive look into Donovan McNabb's journey, his views on the evolution of football, and the broader changes in sports culture. From his roots in Chicago to his influential career with the Philadelphia Eagles, McNabb provides valuable insights and candid reflections that resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers to the sport. His thoughtful commentary on current NFL dynamics, combined with personal anecdotes, makes for an enlightening and engaging listen.