Donovan McNabb
On April 4, 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles shook up the NFC East trading their franchise quarterback, Donovan McNabb, to division rival Washington Redskins.
"I've been a part of a lot of different things in my 11 years [in Philadelphia]," said Donovan when he was introduced to Washington reporters. "I've been surrounded by a lot of great athletes, but it's over. I'm here starting a new chapter in the Book of Donovan, and I look for great things to happen."
A first round draft pick in 1999 by the Eagles, and the second player overall, Donovan raised the bar with superstar accomplishments on and off the playing field. He took over as the Eagles starting quarterback in game 10 as a rookie and never looked back. His .651 (92-49-1) win percentage as a starter ranks near the top among active QBs.
During his 11 seasons, Donovan has helped resurrect an Eagles franchise. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the club posted one of the best records in the NFL, averaging 10 wins per season. In addition, the Eagles went to the postseason eight times, won the NFC East Division five times, played in five NFC Championship Games, and had their first Super Bowl berth in 24 years.
While best known as one of the top players in the National Football League, Donovan, 33, has parlayed that platform to a more expansive audience. In both the profit and non-profit worlds, Donovan’s influence has risen above the playing field and into the boardroom.
The portfolio of companies that he has endorsed has run the gamut of food and beverage, athletic footwear, financial investing, cars, communications, and pharmaceuticals. He currently has endorsement partnerships with Nike, Verizon, AirTran Airways, GlucoThin M.D., Yardbarker, PlayMaker Mobile, Miller Ford, IHOP, Mounted Memories, and Steiner Sports/Syracuse. Donovan also has a financial stake in Yardbarker and PlayMaker Mobile. Over the years he has also trumpeted the benefits of the following companies: NFL Youth Football, Reebok, Campbell’s Soup, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Visa, DirecTV, Nike’s Brand Jordan, Hershey’s, EA Sports, Sony, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, vitaminwater, Cadillac, Sunoco, and McDonalds.
What do these companies have in common? They all were willing to help Donovan achieve some greater good through their support of the Donovan McNabb Fund. The Fund, which has pledged support to raise awareness of diabetes, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Diabetes Association, as well as provided scholarships to many students.
Donovan’s business acumen has been developed over the years. In 2002, just three years after his graduation from Syracuse University with a degree in communications, he was named to the school’s Board of Trustees. He plans to put that degree to use after his playing days are over by becoming a broadcaster.
While trying to shield them from the spotlight of fame, make no mistake that Donovan is both a devout husband and proud father. Raquel, his wife since 2003, was also a star athlete while the two dated at Syracuse University. She now shares Donovan’s philanthropic desires and has been a catalyst for progressive action of the Donovan McNabb Fund. The couple has four children, five-year old daughter, Alexis, 1-year old twins, Sariah and Donovan Jr., and newborn Devin James.
In October, 2009, the couple announced a partnership with Virtua
hospital where each of their four children were born. The partnership
began with a six-figure donation from the McNabb's to help with the
construction of the new NICU at the Virtua Voorhees replacement
hospital, scheduled to open in Spring 2011. In addition, the family is
committed to helping raise $2.5 million for additional funding for the
project. The completed unit will be named The McNabb Family Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit in honor of their dedication and commitment.
Donovan learned the importance of loving and protecting his family from his parents. His father Sam, a retired electrical engineer, and mother, Wilma, a registered nurse, continue to be a big part in Donovan’s life. In fact, they are a big part of the NFL family each serving as the president of the Professional Football Players Fathers Association and Professional Football Players Mothers Association, respectively. In those roles, they help other parents deal with their son’s newfound celebrity and wealth, and provide emotional support for those young players who seek it.
Sam has been the inspiration for Donovan’s support of the American Diabetes Association as he continues to battle the disease.
Wilma is best known to many fans as Mama McNabb, the woman providing Campbell’s Chunky Soup to her son and his teammates. It was a role that came natural for Wilma. After an actress played Donovan’s mother the first year, Wilma took over in 2002 and served as a spokesperson for the company for five years.
Donovan does have one sibling, an older brother, Sean.