Earlier this month, Donovan McNabb made headlines for the first time perhaps since he retired (not counting the announcements of his new career in broadcasting) for a tweet about Tony Romo's new contract. "Tony Romo 6 yr 55 million dollar extension," he tweeted. "Wow really, with one playoff win. You got to be kidding me." He had reason to be mad: His own career took much more of a dovetail after similar results. But a quarterback of the same era calling another out?
Meet the new McNabb. This one in broadcaster form. Relaxed, seemingly happy and ready to offer his opinions on everything from rookie draft fashion ("It's getting out of hand now") to his draft dark horse (BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah) to of course, his former foe, Romo.
"Hey, I was just being upfront and honest," he said Tuesday of his tweet, while warming up for the Wild Turkey American Honey Celebrity Kickball Game in Times Square. (He later tweeted that his team had defeated the one captained by Ryan Lochte).
"As a former player ... you’re just like 'whoa they've changed (contracts) in that aspect.' A lot of people agree in what I was saying.
"And I get paid for my opinions at this point ... I just spoke my mind that's the most important thing, everyone wants honesty."
With his new position behind the mic -- McNabb appeared on NFL Network last season and just started a new gig as co-host of an NBC Sports Radio show -- he said his biggest challenge is trying to figure out how to say what he wants to say in the right way.
"I don't ever want to come off like as sounding like it's personal," he added.
While McNabb may have had an off-and-on relationship with the media during his playing career, he did go to one of the top broadcasting schools in the country -- Syracuse -- and often contacts a professor there for advice. He said he also may go back for classes one day to increase in broadcasting knowledge and points out as a member of the Board of Trustees there, he goes back once a year.
As for his advice for his former coach, Andy Reid, who recently took a new job in Kansas City? McNabb said he would advise him to "just do what you do and lead the team like you led us," he said.
Oh and of course: "Stay away from the barbeque," he joked.
"No seriously. Put the fork down."
