For Donovan McNabb, some of life’s biggest wins now happen far from the scoreboard. The former NFL quarterback, Arizona resident and father of four is celebrating his 50th birthday this November with a perspective shaped by family, sports, adversity and the people who helped him along the way.
That perspective has become a purpose. Alongside his wife, Roxi, McNabb supports the Caris Sports Foundation, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to removing financial barriers that can keep kids from participating in organized sports. The foundation grew from their experience as sports parents and their belief that finances should never determine how far a child’s dream can go.
I recently sat down with McNabb to talk about the people and moments he is most thankful for. What emerged was a story less about football and more about what comes after it: showing up for family, giving a young athlete a chance and appreciating everyday moments that become lifelong memories.
Q: You and Roxi have built the Caris Sports Foundation around creating opportunities for young athletes. Where did that passion begin?
Both of us came from families involved in sports, so we understand the weight that can fall on parents. When our oldest daughter was playing club sports, we saw how quickly fees, travel and meals could become a strain, especially for single-parent or larger families. We started helping kids because we never wanted to see an athlete miss an opportunity simply because the family could not afford it.
Q: What makes that mission especially meaningful to you?
I know what sports can do for a kid. I played multiple sports growing up, and I understand the relationships, competition and opportunities that come from being part of a team. Today, I see how quickly costs add up. Club fees, travel and equipment can create a barrier before a kid even gets started.
I don’t want finances to reduce the runway for a child who has a dream. You want every kid to feel like they are on the same platform as their teammates.
That philosophy is at the heart of Caris, which provides financial assistance to Arizona K-12 student-athletes. For McNabb, the need is personal.
Q: You gave the example of a family being able to cover some expenses, but not everything. What do you want those kids to feel?
Maybe everybody is going out to dinner after a tournament and one child feels like they cannot order what they want. We tell them, “Order what you want. We’ll take care of it.” I never want a kid to feel like they don’t belong because of something their parents can’t provide.
Sometimes giving back is simply noticing where someone needs help and stepping in.
Q: You are turning 50 in November. What does this milestone mean to you?
As a kid, you think 50 is old. Then you get there and realize it is an opportunity to learn more. We’ve been through ups and downs, we understand how to overcome adversity, and we become people others can lean on for guidance, motivation and inspiration. Fifty is just a number, but it is a beautiful number because it means you’ve made it this far.
Q: Has being a father and watching your children play sports changed the way you see the game?
Absolutely. There is no better feeling than watching your kids. I try to give them wisdom and prepare them physically and mentally, but I want them focused on their own path. Social media can pull kids toward comparison, so I remind them that the work you put in is the result you push out.
And now I get to bring my wagon to softball, my cooler and my bag of snacks. I sit with the other parents, laugh, joke, cheer and hang out. Before I retired, I always looked forward to tailgating because I never got the chance. I’m still looking forward to those football and softball tailgating days.
Q: When you look beyond football and your career, what are you most grateful for right now?
Every moment I get to spend with my kids. I have two seniors, a junior and one in college, and I cherish the time with each of them. I coach one, so I cherish those practices and football Fridays. My daughter is playing her last club softball season, so I will cherish watching her. My son plays hockey, and I’m going to every game, sitting in those cold rinks and cheering him on.
Those little things become big things. Years from now, you reflect on them with your kids, who have become adults, and those moments become conversations and memories.
Maybe that is the most fitting lesson for McNabb at 50. Gratitude is not always found in the extraordinary. Sometimes it is a cold rink, a Friday night under the lights, a cooler packed for the sidelines, a child chasing a dream or a family being given one more chance to participate.
For a man whose career was built around big plays, McNabb now seems equally grateful for the quieter ones: showing up, giving back and making sure the next generation gets its opportunity to play.
Sometimes giving back is simply noticing where someone needs help.
For Donovan McNabb, life after football is about family, gratitude and giving young athletes the opportunity to chase their dreams, regardless of financial barriers