Very few people know that Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was a two sport athlete in college. Although he wasn't quite the basketball player compared to his tremendous talent on the football field, McNabb earning the respect of his basketball teammates while at Syracuse:Even though McNabb may not have looked the part of a basketball player, his practice habits, work ethic and effusive personality offered hints of future success.
''He's a great teammate,'' Syracuse's basketball coach, Jim Boeheim, said. ''He played hard in practice and pushed guys. He fit in right away, led the team in cheers on the bench. He was a tremendous teammate.''
That became evident during the 1995-96 season, when Syracuse made an improbable run to the national title game, only to lose to Kentucky. During the tournament, McNabb and the other reserves developed a routine of crossing their legs after every made free throw. By then, McNabb had established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in college football, so the bench shenanigans got him plenty of camera time.
What was never seen, though, was his intensity during practice. His strength allowed him to challenge his teammates and prevented them from loafing.
''Some days, he got the best of us,'' said John Wallace, the star of that Syracuse team, who is now with the Miami Heat. ''He was real athletic and went at us real hard. Before he matured and put on all that weight for the football body he needed, his vertical was 40-something.''
