We can all agree that a good leader is resilient, confident, and adaptable. A great leader, however, is authentic—able to show up as their best self and willing to hold themselves accountable. They know what is expected of them before giving others direction.
Donovan McNabb, former Eagles quarterback, is quite familiar with leadership.
“It’s the key position,” Donovan explains, “and I’ll be a little biased and say it’s the best position in football because we’re the extension of the coach.”
Often considered the leader of the offense, quarterbacks typically call the plays in a huddle. As Donovan puts it, they have control of what goes on out on the field.
“We’re trying to control all of the other 10 personalities and characters that are out there with us so that we all can kind of move on one accord,” explains Donovan.
For quarterbacks, leadership is something that is expected of the position. Donovan enjoys the position, saying that he thrives because he loves having the opportunity to help people know exactly what is expected of them. If they weren’t meeting expectations, Donovan motivates them, instilling the other players with confidence so that the team can be winners.
“When I was drafted to Philadelphia, everyone made it as if it was one of the hardest positions to play but I never fell into that trap,” Donovan explains. “I understood what it was that was expected of me and my goals that I had set for myself and that was the focus that I had all throughout my career.”
Donovan prides himself on never allowing others’ doubts or worries to dictate the things he wanted to accomplish. A quarterback is often the face of the franchise and he appreciates the responsibility.
Nowadays, while Donovan looks back at his accomplishments, he doesn’t utilize as much of his stardom. “I don't go into that because I want people to understand a little bit more about me, the person, not just the football player,” he explains.
Donovan wants to give back. He founded the McNabb Foundation which allows him and his family to help others through charitable work. They’ve raised money for the American Diabetes Association to help spread awareness and have provided scholarships to students. The McNabbs are also passionate about youth sports. Donovan’s wife, Raquel, founded the Caris Sports Foundation which gives children the opportunity to participate in organized sports by removing financial obstacles.
Donovan also coaches quarterbacks in Arizona and girls softball, where he now lives, and absolutely enjoys it.
“I try to teach these kids about work ethic and determination—goal setting—because I believe that all kids have great ideas of what they want to do in life or what they want to accomplish, but they don't know how to go about it,” says Donovan.
He’s noticed that the kids are so worried about how other people perceive them that they don’t focus on the task at hand. This is why he likes to dig deep and talk to kids one-on-one so that he can help keep them on the path to achieve their goals.
“I think coaches, role models, example setters, talk to the masses, but they never really kind of pull out one or two and talk to them or pull out three or four and talk to them individually,” he explains.
Talking to kids, listening to their thoughts and concerns, and helping them through adversities is how a leader earns their trust. Donovan states that when you make kids feel like you’re in their corner, they’re honest with you.
Donovan makes sure to talk about how school and home life are going for them, encouraging them to get a handle on homework and classes before they come to practice. He teaches them life lessons to prepare them for the future.
He told us that he has learned this from his own parents.
“My dad was an electrical engineer, my mom was a registered nurse. So my dad sometimes would work extra hours so that we can continue to make ends meet,” says Donovan. “He would always talk to me about hard work; like putting in extra work, sacrificing something to achieve another goal.”
Although being a leader is a serious and important job, a great leader is always celebrated within the Eagles' community. “I enjoyed the passion of the fans. I enjoyed the camaraderie from fans to players. I enjoyed the relationships that I built,” says Donovan.
He and his family love the Philadelphia area; the city, the restaurants, the monuments—all of it!
“Going back, it's like you never left,” says Donovan. “No matter when you play, how long you play, the fans truly remember you and they appreciate you.”
“No matter when you play, how long you play, the fans truly remember you and they appreciate you.”