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McNabb Stands By Comment

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By ROB MAADDI, The Associated Press

Published: September 20, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb smiled when a reporter asked for his opinion on the upcoming opponent. He pumped his fist when the next question was about his poor start.

Once the topic switched to McNabb's comment about black quarterbacks, his mood changed quickly.

In a bizarre interview that ended with McNabb walking off the podium at the Philadelphia Eagles' practice facility Wednesday, the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback reiterated his statement on HBO that black QBs face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts.

'It's just reality,' McNabb said. 'It's something that I've been a part of and other quarterbacks before and after me have been a part of. Did I expect any backlash? Yeah. Everything I say, I expect backlash from it.'

McNabb displayed a variety of emotions while getting peppered with questions on the race issue. He was perplexed and defensive - and looked more uncomfortable than he does standing in the pocket on his surgically repaired knee under a heavy rush.

'People are trying to dig too deep in this whole situation,' he said. 'I wasn't pinpointing particular people. What I said was the fact that we black QBs have to do a little extra. No matter the style of play you're displaying, there's always going to be criticism.'

Asked if any quarterback was criticized more last year than Chicago's Rex Grossman, McNabb said: 'I wouldn't know.'

He then mentioned Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady and others, saying they have been criticized, but black QBs 'get criticized a little differently.' Pressed for examples, McNabb pointed to being a running quarterback.

'Nobody ever talked to Hall of Famer Steve Young about the running quarterback situation, and Jake Plummer,' he said.

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