The retirement of a player’s jersey number should symbolize that not only were they elite at the position; but whose presence was an embodiment of the city he played for. This individual should be reflected upon as a player who modified and advanced how the game was played. Their contributions should inspire and educate future players who follow in their footsteps. Retirement of a jersey number should embody greatness.
Donovan McNabb will return to Philadelphia this season, sign a one day contract and retire as an Eagle. His statistics rank him as the top quarterback in Eagle’s franchise history. The tenure spanning eleven seasons is the longest one signal caller has taken snaps from under center. He made Six Pro-Bowls, had five NFC championship visits and one Super Bowl appearance. We all know his resume; being the knowledgeable and passionate Philadelphia fans which we are. We respect this portion of his resume, for the most part. It simply goes deeper for Eagles fans; football is more than a sport, it is an identity to live by, honor and encompass.
The relationship begins to fade with the mention of Donovan McNabb and Philadelphia when you explore the entirety of his career a bit further. He failed to raise the bar in crucial situations that “great” quarterbacks thrive in. He played it safe when fearlessness was the audible needed at the line of scrimmage. Accountability was a word absent from his vocabulary. He spoke a language that was indirect; false in a sense that we just wanted an answer; not sarcasm. He dressed up in our colors but never wore our spirit.
Retiring a number is the ultimate sign of respect a team can show to a player. The eight players who hold this honor as an Eagle earned it for contributions much greater than the statistics they compiled. The consensus for McNabb is that he was good, had great games, but was also inconsistent and lacked the urgency for what it took to lead a team to a championship.
McNabb has informed the media and fan base that he would “love” for his number to be retired, but will leave the decision making up to Jeff Lurie. What “good” would the addition of retiring the number “5” actually do for the franchise? To me, it would validate a misjudgment in talent evaluation, allowing loyalty to trump talent.
I view the simple notion that McNabb’s number should be retired as an irrational digestion of his failed attempts to demonstrate greatness. It would simply boost the already inflated ego of McNabb, and serve as a detriment to the future of the Eagles.
McNabb has earned a spot on the Eagle’s wall of fame. We will all witness his number when visiting Lincoln Financial Field and reflect on the most successful decade in franchise history with reference to winning percentage and postseason attendance. This is where I believe the line should be drawn.
Yes, Donovan marked his chapter sporting the number five jersey; but allowing him to sign off on it being worn again is completely unnecessary. Retire from the sport, gloat at your name and number hanging high in the rafters. McNabb you hint towards a jersey retirement gesture, you simply were not a “legend” like those honored before you; be happy with never having to pay for a meal in Philadelphia again.
Ask me how I feel about it 10 years from now. Right now I say close but no cigar, but the success of the organization over the next 10 years may change my feelings.
The Eagles have not mentioned retiring “5”. I don’t think that will happen in the near future.
In 10 years the people in this city might think that it’s alright to retire McNabb’s number. History might judge McNabb better than we do now.
I don’t think there will be many guys upset that they can’t have “5”…. It won’t look right on another player for a while anyway…. lol
It hurt my eyes every time I saw Ron Jones with the number 20 for a year….
LMAO
Of course retire his number, you will never again see a better flim flam man, air guitarist, choke artist, clown ass, pussy chunky soup eatin mommas boy in the history of all of football
Hey mcnabb, booooooooooooo
Is this article for real? Yes you retire his number this franchise stunk and he helped make it relevant again. We aren’t talking about putting him in the HOF just retiring the number of the best QB in Eagle history. Then again the wall of fame will be just fine.
I think retiring numbers is just plain stupid. You want to put a player on a team wall of fame Fine but if we are ever lucky enough to have really good teams we will run out of numbers (Just being silly). Seriously NO hoisting any numbers.
Secondly if going to and losing a Superbowl gets you your number retired than I think Jaws is over-due to have his number 7 retired. (I don’t think any number should be retired but hey)
Stupid Offseason Banter!!!!
Jaws was a middle of the road QB. Donovan was elite. In football you do have to be careful with retiring numbers because of the size of the rosters. If all McNabb was in your eyes was a guy going to one Super Bowl and losing then I guess a guy like Dan Fouts would be a total loser in your book.
Yeah, Donovan’s number should be retired. At the beginning of the 2000s he kept getting us in the playoffs and to the championship games, a few of those years with Thrash and Pinkston as receivers. I think people forget just how good he was back then, when they think of the last few, sorry years he had.
You fuck heads must be smoking crack. Randall Cunningham is my all time favorite, but Mcnabb deserves the most amount of credit. He took us to 5 NFC championship games, and 1 super bowl. Give the dude some credit
He gets credit, but he DOES NOT, deserve a special honor, like # retirement. PERIOD!
Hail to Kelly green!! Get rid of that sorry ass midnight green bullshit. It’s played out..
No way should McNabb’s jersey be retired… Just because he was the longest tenured QB in eagles history this giving him most if not all the records does not make you and elite QB. In my head when I think of McNabb I think of all the overthrown or thrown at the feet passes this guy has thrown… His number would never have been retired if he didnt come out and say I would love to have my number retired but that’s up to the eagles organization…. Seriously… 1-4 in NFC championship games and 0-1 in Super Bowls does not warrant a retired jersey….
Absolutely should McNabb’s #5 be retired
Most Wins, yards, TD’s, etc,etc and whether you like him not, there is no doubt that McNabb was a big reason why the Eagles made their 5 NFC Championship Game/Super Bowl Run and along with Dawkins & Westbrook all belong to Have their #’s Retired in my opinion
Let’s be honest here, McNabb, Westbrook & Dawkins helped bring the Eagles Franchise back to relevance again (along with Coach AR)
So relevance warrants getting your number retired, real low standards set by Lurie , he dumbs down an already dumbed down fan base, lemmings
In comparison there are no retired numbers by the steelers, but a six pack of super bowl trophies
If you are going to retire a number for on the field performance you must be one of the greats to play the game, otherwise you are setting a low bar, admitting to the other teams your franchise is not that good, which is exactly the case with the eagles, just not that good
Unfortunately Jake, when you have a 40 -50 year History of Losing
like the Eagles have had, that just being Franchise Leaders and their Best players do warrant the Eagles retiring their #’s
Neither McNabb, Westbrook or Sawkins will make the NFL Hall of Fame for they were not great players, but they were the Eagles best Players and franchise’s retiring #’s is about their own good Players and besides,
If the Eagkes don’t retire McNabb, Westbrook & Dawkins # ‘s, then who would they ever retire or place in a ring of honor.. All Drafted and home-grown Players who played the majority of their Careers with Eagles
If McNabb’s # doesn’t get retired, then no one else’s should be, is this what you want..
Good stuff Paul….
Agree with everything written
Make that is your opinion, I think McNabb and Dawkins will make the HOF and who cares what other franchises do. Yeah the Steelers don’t retire numbers but name me any steeler who wore numbers 12,32 or 75. After Bradshaw, Harris or Mean Joe.
Jake.
No they won’t.
You don’t think so DCar especially Dawkins?
Big, although I loved BDawk, & IMHO, he is a top 5-10 greatest Eagle of all time, he doesn’t have the numbers to be in the HOF. We stop overrating our players, in comparison to the rest of the leagues. Just because our top Philadelphia players, doesn’t mean they are HOFers. Remember, Philly has had some $#!t teams! Phils, are MLB All-time in loses. Birds, have never won a SB, & haven’t won since 1960. Flyers, haven’t won since 1974. 76ers, since 1983, have been a blackhole since. That comes into account, along with personal #’s. Nether BDawk, nor McChoke qualify.
No, for retiring #5, primarily because I don’t believe in retiring #’s. Let the team start winning championships first, then put pictures of special players on wall of fame or in special display with their jersey, but “no” to retiring the number. When AR & Don were winning those division titles the rest of the NFC East stunk. Recognize, Reggie, Duce Staley, Donovan, Thomas, Runyan, Dawk, Douglas, etc by placing them in special display. Donovan was part of the core of those early 2000 teams, but nobody should have # retired. Keep the memorable #’s still playing on game day.
Right ON!
The 2 men that are most responsible for the good years are Dawk and Jim Johnson. Hiring Johnson is the only reason Reid stayed around so long. Let’s retire 20 in a few years before we talk about #5. I’m no McNabb fan, but time and his numbers help me forget all the moon walking and inability to accept blame.
Sorry, we already retired 20, I was at the game! Westbrook was elite, not McNabb, but the quarterback get all the glory and blame. I prefer waiting, they were great years, to get a better perspective. I would prefer 36 retired next, but that’s just me.
Westbrook don’t deserve it either. Good ll around RB, mostly catching & returns, but never elite. He gets a negative also.
Who cares about mcnabb when we have chip bellichick
The Eagles have been working WR Jason Avant at defensive back.
Coach Chip Kelly is certainly putting his stamp on the team. We already mentioned how TE Clay Harbor was dabbling at outside linebacker. Avant set a career-high with 53 catches last season, but he’s nothing more than a middling slot talent with no big-play ability. The Eagles traded for Arrelious Benn, and Avant might be on the outside looking in at the 53-man roster.
Benn was brought in take Avant’s spot in my opinion. Jason better be working at safety no way he can play corner. Too slow.
Also Mhenski this maybe an indication they will be going light at some positions and heavy at others like running back and receiver.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! That honor is for once in a franchise, special greats, in which he is not!
Is he arguably the best QB, in franchise history? Some believe! But great, he was never, & never won the SB!
N…O…
Wonder in 3-5 Years if there will be talk about “Retiring Mike Vick’s
#7” Jersey…
Ask vinnie! XD
LOL, for what paulman? Being the most debated athlete in Philly sports history?
Elite and McNabb should never be used in the same sentence. Its an insult to guys that were actually elite. If they want to retire McNabb’s number I don’t have a problem with it. But in the entire NFL world he was just a very good QB, had a really nice career, but thats it. Elite is for guys that win Super Bowls or guys that are up there in NFL (not Team) records.
For the non SB winners, I would call guys like Marino, Tomlinson, Tony Gonzales, Moss, Owens elite. Even though they don’t have the rings, they basically set the mark at their positions in NFL history. Their numbers were not just great and all-time bests for their franchises, but all time great for NFL history.
McNabb is nowhere in the category at his position all time as those guys are. He is not HOF material and I don’t think he will get in. The other Qb competition is just too good, so much better, and with the way young Qbs are playing better and better, McNabbs numbers will be considered average at best.
I don’t know Pheaggs numbers wise he’s better then Aikman and Bradshaw but of course they have rings that put them in the HOF. Elite is in the eyes of the beholder. I will give you an example. Eli Manning isn’t elite but if he continues to put up the same numbers year in year out he’ll be in the HOF.
Biglion the SB ring matters the most, always will. If you have one or more, you don’t need the top numbers because you play to simply win SBs. But for the guys that lack the SB, they need to make up for it it numbers, be all time greats at the position in NFL (not team) history.
I hate Eli, cant stand him. But he has 2 superbowl MVPs, how many people can say that in this league right now, thus he is elite. By the time Eli retires, McNabbs numbers will look very average to his and many other Qbs around the league that are playing today. Thats why I dont think McNabb would get in. His game will be considered just average, the way QBs are playing today. You also cant put McNabb in the category of Gonzales or Tomlinson or Moss/TO. Even though they don’t have the rings, they set the mark at their position. If I was them I would be insulted if people put McNabb in the same category as me.
If the Steelers never retired anybody’s number from those players from the 70s the Eagles should be crazy to even think about it! He was part of the turnaround of the franchise the last decade but so were a lot of other players, I don’t put him up there though with the Reggie Whites n Steve Van Burens regardless of the records he holds as an Eagle.
No it should not. He choked when it mattered most. I f I have to hear about his touchdown to int ratio anymore I’m gonna freak out. And I always come back with the more important numbers.
N nabobs touchdown to turnover ratio in the PLAYOFFS is about 50/50. For every touchdown he had he’s had a turnover, whether it be a pick it fumble.. He’s a choke artist and buckled under pressure.
And lastly from the beginning to mid 2000s the NFC competition was awful. There wer about 3-4 good teams. The East was as awful as it could get. The eagles , rams , packers and bucs wer only good enough to contend with Philly.
Mcnabb couldn’t beat any afc teams to save his life. The completion was better.
FCK MCNABB HE’S A BUM.! He’s not HOF worthy nor is he worthy of his number being retired.
That touchdown to turnover ratio you described sounds an awful lot like Peyton Manning and before you start with well he won a Super Bowl, they won in spite of him not because of him. And what the NFC competition was terrible? Really stop trying to rewrite history McNabb was a top 5 QB during his prime.
If McNabb was white this would be a non topic.
Tell me a white QB who took a pathetic franchise into primetime, got their team to 4 NFC title games and a Superbowl appearance, and didn’t get his numbered retired.
I rest my case.
If McNabb were even among the top 3 of his contemporaries there should still be no debate as Retiring Numbers is STUPID!!
The fact is that McNabb will always be overshadowed by Brady, Manning X2
Tell me a white QB who took a pathetic franchise into primetime, got their team to 4 NFC title games and a Superbowl appearance, and didn’t get his numbered retired.
How about… Terry Bradshaw, Brett Favre, Joe Theismann, just to name a few who actually won super bowls.
In your world, that matters! Glad to see, you’re still classy, you ignorant racist! Go back to rooting for the Skins, Niners, Seahawks, or whatever Soup Du Joir, you’re jock jockeying 2day, you fraud!
All I can say about whether MCNabb deserves his Jersey # Retired
What have the Eagles Won since he was traded, that’s right, Zippo..
He has the best numbers Statistically of The modern era in Eagles History
A no-brainer if your Owner Jeff Lurie, Fans should display the same class and respect for the game and traditions that McNabb displayed during his 10 Years with the Eagles.. Now I am not saying that McNabb was an Elite QB,for he was not, and he definitely is not a HOF QB either, just simply that he was and is the Best Eagle QB of the Modern Era and his Stats & Wins simply bear that out..
There is no way that Dawkins gets his numbered retired and not McNabb
It’s not about personalities but for production and McNabbs #’s are in the Eagles Record Books and will remain so for a long while..
I agree mcnabb was a great qb.. The problem is Philadelphia fans are too impatient with their stars.. Mcnabb was traded and the eagles were decimated.
Philadelphia fans are too impatient??? (this from one of the guys who says Foles sucks after 6 games)
McNabb was traded and the Eagles were decimated??? Do you honestly think the Birds would be in a better place had they kept McNabb these last 3 years? Look, the guy was the best QB of the modern era, but he was finished even in 2009…..once he had lost his mobility (age + injury+ he was done (sound like anyone else we know?)
That comment is a joke. McNabb’s play was trash after we got rid of him. He was a laughing stock. Its funny, we never heard a damn thing again from the national media after they all realized we were right. It finally hit them in head that the dude sucked at that point in time and Eagles fans were right.
Im surprised the Vikings are not retiring McNabbs number for putting up 39 TOTAL passing yards in an ENTIRE game. I guess the Vikings don’t appreciate greatness like that.
Also I feel that farve theisman and bradshaw all had better weapons that mcnabb.. Its like they wouldnt get the guy weapons I dont understand it..
I wouldn’t care if McNabb’s number is retired… I think McNabb was a great QB for the Eagles and should be honored.
But to say it would be different if he was a white QB is stupid. Songs asked what white QBs have a record as good as McNabb’s and do not have their numbers retired and there are several.
Terry Bradshaw, Brett Favre, Joe Theismann, are three who have not had their number retired. What difference does it make if the had more weapons? Their numbers are not retired……
The “no weapons” thing is interesting….Quick name the Bucs WRS when Tampa beat us in the NFC champ game Joe Jurivicous??) Quick name the WRs Brady had when winning his SBs (Deion the superstar branch and???) Quick.
I could go on.
Other than perhaps Rice, QBs make their WRs, not the other way around. (ie see Moss in Oakland, or Alvin Harper after Dallas). Brady would have done just fine with Pink and Thrash.
McNabb was a very good QB (not a great QB) and I think his number should be retired by the Eagles (but I had to think about it – and isn’t that the problem??) because he helped make the franchise relevant again,
Lmao…
Vinnie Todd Pinkston spent 4 yrs in Philly
And compiled 184 rec and 14 TD
TO spent 21 games here and had 124 rec and
20 TD
I understand your overall QB argument
But Good WR’s make QB’s Great
Michael Vick says new Eagles coach Chip Kelly “taught” him how to properly hold the football while running.
The 10-year veteran was apparently being serious. “The other day, I broke out in the pocket, and the first thing Chip told me was to tuck the football,” Vick said. “So I showed him how I was running with it, and he looked at it and he knocked the ball right out of my hands. And he was like, ‘Hold it like this.’ And what he told me felt comfortable. I had a tighter grip on the football. That should secure that problem as long as I work on it.” It’s beyond belief that Vick is implying that he not only didn’t know how to properly hold the football, but had never been taught by Dan Reeves, Jim Mora Jr. or Andy Reid, but here we are. Vick has lost 12 fumbles over his past 35 games, which is far too many.
Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7
May 19 – 10:58 AM
McNabb: Eagles Ring of Honor? Absolutely. HOF? Maybe. Number retired? No.
I agree.
OF COURSE DONOVAN MCNABB’S NUMBER SHOULD BE RETIRED IN PHILLY.
This a preposterous conversation to have, but in Philly I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that this is a topic of interest. A tiger can never change it’s stripes. ANYWHERE ELSE there would be an enormous bronze monument bearing his likeness in the center of the city emphasizing his work ethic, character, his high morals and sense of sportsmanship. Instead, in Philly the citizens pay homage to the monument to a fictional sports hero.
Philly should be renamed Bizarroland for sure…
At the end of the day you’re talking about a player that would, even by McNabb haters, unquestionably be considered a first ballad Hall of Fame player with one Superbowl win. There are several QBs in the Hall of Fame that never won a Superbowl. Now there’s a question about him having his number retired locally?
Are you serious????
Only in Bazarroland…(er, I meant Philly)
Oh yeah just to get into the “no weapons” thing again…Brady hasn’t won a championship since he stopped getting inside information. Tampa Bay had a consistently playing/not consistently injured elite RB and a defense that got turnovers consistently and especially in play-off/championship games. Philly didn’t have either of those two advantages to compensate for the lack of talent around McNabb.
I actually want Foles to start…
I HAVE SEEN EAGLES QB PLAY POST MCNABB AND I DO NOT LIKE IT.
The fact that people now refuse to acknowledge that Brady ONLY won championships as a result of team cheating is the reason I was always for having the Bellichick coached team championships expunged from the NFL books.
Bradys career post those SBs (2005-2012) still shits on McNabbs entire career. Thats how good he is. 7/8 playoff appearances, nothing less than a 10 win season, 2 NFL MVPs(1st player in NFL history to be unanimously chosen as MVP), 1st undefeated reg season schedule since the 16 game schedule, 2-4 conference championship, record breaking 50 Tds in a season…did I miss anything? Even if you don’t count all his SBs or playoff wins before 2005, that career still makes very good QBs like McNabb look average at best. I don’t even like the guy but he is an all time great. Even if you hate him, you would take him as your QB any day of the week. Choosing btwn Brady and McNabb in their prime is like choosing between fresh lobster or canned tuna.
Butch.. Lay off the pipe
The silencer has spoken
Retiring numbers is basically done with every team including the Steelers pay attention people nobody in Pittsburgh will ever where 12 or 75 or 32 so whatever you dudes want to believe. And based on everybody’s favorite things stats McNabb does have HOF numbers do me a favor look at Bradshaw, Aikman and Namath’s numbers and tell me who’s are better. Yes I understand they won Super Bowls but last time I checked the HOF is an individual honor. If not then the entire rosters of the Steeler dynasty should be inducted.
I never said Brady was a mediocre QB I’m saying he ain’t good enough to win 3 SBs because it hasn’t happened without being able to cheat. More to the point since you want to bring up comparisons to Tom Brady…he’s statistically better by roughly 10%…10% again I want to type 10%…IN SOME AREAS. You need to stop licking that dude’s hairy sack and appreciate what you had compared to what most other fans had during the same period.
Had McNabb been cheating for the first five to six years of his career surely he would have been at least 10% better statistically…no?
Here are some ACTUAL career STATS:
Games Completed:
McNabb 167 Brady 177
Interceptions
McNabb 117 Brady 123
Completion %
McNabb 59 Brady 63
Rushing Yards
McNabb 3,459 Brady 748
Touchdowns
McNabb 224 Brady 334 (for Brady to be as good as his lickers claim this would have to be around 448 TDs today)
Total Yards
McNabb 37,276 Brady 44,806 (for Brady to be as good as his lickers claim this would have to be around 74,000+ yards today)
QB rating:
McNabb 85.6 Brady 96.6
Yeah, it is canned tuna vs. fresh lobster just not the way you’re thinking. I HATE CHEATERS. You can keep drinking the Bizarroland kool-aid if you want to.
No it actually is. For example a 11% difference in a QB rating is actually a big difference. It say McNabb was just a good player while the other was elite. And just ignore those things called Nfl MVPs and Nfl History record breaking achievements etc. McNabb can only see those in his dreams. You and others need to stop overrating what we had, trying to compare our very good players to guys that are elite. Its embarrassing.
Btw, every team in the league cheats in some way. Don’t be so damn oblivious to what actually goes on behind the scenes. There is no doubt in my mind that Reid probably did some questionable things as well (didnt the eagles just get busted on draft day for something?).
There is definitely players on the Eagles right now (and back when McNabb played) that are taking steroids. Every team has steroid users. I guess you hate the Eagles too then.
Wow the great Tom Brady’s completion percentage is only 4% more passes then old wormball? Who would have thought that. LOL but wait Butch he has won Super Bowls man what are you thinking?
Butch, my man, stop smoking the wet. You have officially gone off the deep end. He has 334 TD’s, 110 more than McChoke & your saying, that’s not good enough, & he should have 448. Are you mental? Brady has never had offensive weapons either, & if you’re saying, that arguably a top 3-4 all time great QB, only won because he cheated, you need to be committed. Who are his lickers? I hate the Pats, & I’m not stupid enough, to say some of the idiotic things you said! You can’t honestly believe, some of the BS your saying? You sound bitter & jealous.
DCar, there are definitely some certified lunatics on here. Acting as if only the Pats have cheated when every NFL team cheats someway. Hey McNabb def played with some steroid users so we should negate some of his accomplishments too. Biglion just overlooks things like SB rings, NFL MVPs, record breaking seasons because of a completion percentage. I mean really? Is that how bitter us fans are today, since our own haven’t been good enough…Hey the QBR is only a difference of 11%, thats probably nothing lol. I agree, it does make people sound jealous. I hate Brady, but damn would I take him as my QB the past decade. Im sure they would choose Brady over McNabb every day of the week. You don’t even have to think about it, which means its not close.
Pheags first of all there are no comparisons between Brady and McNabb. Brady is a first ballot hall of Famer whether he has won Super Bowls or not. I’m not overlooking anything I have always been curious why the HOF is an individual accomplishment but the voters put so much emphasis when it comes to QB’s on winning Super Bowls. I am a huge Tom Brady fan so trust me that crack I had about the 63% to 59% completion percentage was about stat lovers who pick and choose what stats are relevant to there arguments. Remember most posters say McNabb was inaccurate and didn’t throw guys open so you would expect Brady’s completion percentage to be much higher. Winning Super Bowls are a team accomplishment the HOF is an individual accomplishment is that thinking certified?
The fact is we are still waiting for the franchise qb because he’s yet to arrive
Jake I absolutely hate that term don’t know where or when it started but it’s dumb, just as dumb as the elite argument. Hell if the Vikings go to the Super Bowl with Ponder at QB does that mean he’s a franchise QB or elite? Hate that term, face of the franchise is another one. When the Raiders were winning all those years with the lunatics on their roster I don’t think they were worried about who’s going to be the face of our franchise.
agree, just throwing out the lingo of the new nfl football fan, the nerds that now follow football who used to be banished to playing with erector sets, just look at John Clayton and probably Paulman
Well…DCar and whomever else think what you wish. A lot of people have a hard time aligning their perception to reality when confronted with stone cold FACTS.
No, 80% of starting QBs don’t have “almost” the same numbers. Once you get out the Elite QB territory and a few exceptions it’s more than a 10% drop. Just to give a good cross sampling check out Christian Ponder’s stat averages or Blaine Gabbert’s stat averages or Matt Cassel’s stat averages or Chris Simms’ stat averages.
Again…DCar the fact that you refuse to put an asterisk, at the very least, next to Brady’s TD numbers based on the fact that that’s where most of the plan stealing strategies were focused on for the Patriots FOR YEARS tells me where you are mentally in terms of differentiating fact from fiction.
As to just foolishly accepting an unsubstantiated notion that every team did what the Patriots got caught doing multiple times within a systematic process over YEARS of time and were privately and publicly reprimanded as an organization for is…well, foolish. Again that’s a byproduct of delusional thinking.
With the steroid abuse element…it’s something I go back and forth with all of the time relative to how much support I give to my team or the NFL in general annually. The one thing I do look at as a silver lining is the decreasing size of both offensive and defensive lineman. The proliferation of the 3-4 defense is as much a by product of decreased steroid use as any strategic advantage: there just aren’t any more fast 300+ lb. defensive ends and that was a standard 15 years ago. 340lb.-350lb. O-Tackles are generally a thing of the past too where that was a standard 15 years ago. that extra 20lbs. to 60lbs. generally could largely be attributed to steroid use and the elimination of it, to me signifies the decrease in use across the board from the players most likely to juice.
The only reality you live in, is in your own mind bruh! Your mentality is based off of bitterness, jealousy & hate. They don’t get an asterisk, because they still are a top AFC team, year in, year out, & I believe, still made it to 2 SB, after getting caught filming opponents practices. It doesn’t matter if they filmed the practices, you still have to beat them mano-Y-mano & call the correct plays. That $#!t has been going on since the dawn of the NFL, with EVERY team. Same goes with bounties. The only reason NE were the only ones that got caught, was because a spurned, scorned, jealous, Eric Mangini, ratted them out. But, don’t let the real facts, get in the way of your fictional story. Good luck with that!