Unapologetic Donovan McNabb addresses his Carson Wentz comments, Lane Johnson, relationship with fans

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Donovan McNabb is not backing down. 

After garnering headlines over the last few days for his comments about Carson Wentz , which didn’t sit well with Lane Johnson, McNabb was on 94WIP Tuesday afternoon with Jon Marks and Ike Reese. 

McNabb didn’t back down from his comments at all during the interview that was at times combative and yet still full of McNabb’s trademark laughter. 

“Do I need to apologize for anything?” McNabb said. “Absolutely not. Should I say anything toward it? There’s no need to say anything about the situation, really, to be honest. 

“And then I know you probably want to go into active players that are playing and their comments. I don’t play Twitter war games with kids. I said what I said. They understood what I said. Move on and do your job.” 

Here are a few more notes of interest that came out of the interview: 

Soften up on Wentz? 
It was proposed to McNabb that he could perhaps be more positive in his analysis of Wentz, given that McNabb himself is a former franchise quarterback. McNabb defended himself and said he was simply giving his opinion. McNabb understands most people don’t have a problem with the message, that it’s the messenger — it’s just that 5 doesn’t seem to care. 

Hey Jealously
At least McNabb seems to understand part of the perception of him in this town. 

“See, what they always want to attribute me to when I say anything about the Eagles is about envy and jealously. I’m not jealous about anything. I’ve played the game, I’ve moved on. I got another life.”

Relationship with the team
Reese, McNabb’s former teammate, asked McNabb about his relationship with the organization. 

“I have no problem with the Philadelphia Eagles. My relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles is the same as was when I played. I was excited about being drafted there in 1999. I enjoyed my tenure there as the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, everything we accomplished as a team. I was very excited about it and one that I would never regret or try to change by any means because it made us, as individuals, who we are as people. I have no ill-will toward the Philadelphia Eagles. I was excited for them when they won the Super Bowl. I was excited when I put a tweet out, meeting Nick Foles and happy for Nick Foles. I mean, I took a photo with Carson Wentz. My son took a photo with Carson Wentz. I have no problem with any of them. For them to try to make it like I have a bad relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles or Carson Wentz, it’s just a cover up to aid in the dislike in who I am or whatever I say.”

Relationship with Wentz 
Reese asked McNabb if he has any type of mentor-type relationship with Wentz: 

“I reached out to Carson and talked to Carson on many occasions, when he got hurt, when he came back, this whole little deal with the locker room saying he’s arrogant or selfish or he’s not a team guy. I’ve been a part of that. I talked to him. This is the thing people don’t realize about what I do. I know what Carson is going through. I reached out to him, but I don’t make that public. I don’t think that’s something that needs to be put out there. That’s between me and him.” 

Back and forth with Lane
Marks attempted to play comments from Johnson’s appearance on WIP earlier in the week and McNabb cut him off and said there was no need. 

“There’s no need for me to respond to any of that. I told you. I don’t play Twitter war games with kids. I’m not going back and forth. One thing that people don’t realize is being a former player, there’s a relationship and a bond there. These young guys, some guys don’t get it. It’s not like I’m going personal at Carson. I have no issues. Now he wants to make his comments and I’m not going to go personal with him. There is no battle back and forth of who is going to get the last word. I don’t play that game.” 

Relationship with fans
McNabb said he has no problem with Eagles fans and he appreciates those who supported him during his time in Philly. He understands not everyone has the same opinion and he’s OK with that. 

The whole interview is about 15 minutes. Check it out here: 

 

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