November 21, 2013

Former OL Shawn Andrews says Donovan McNabb made Eagles locker room a 'living hell': Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews says that his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates—led by Donovan McNabb—spread malicious rumors and verbally abused him so badly that he contemplated suicide and eventually underwent psychiatric treatment. Many of the rumors were about his sexual orientation, he said, and they eventually spread to other NFL locker rooms.

posted by BornIcon to football at 07:28 AM - 6 comments

The floodgates are going to open on this, for better or worse.

posted by Rock Steady at 09:32 AM on November 21, 2013

That's just what I was thinking.

But this is somewhat different than the Martin thing. If true in this case, what sort of QB is idiot enough to make life hell for one of his bigs on the OL?

You would think any QB would want to take care of his linemen. Lots of them do. Peyton sent his guys to Augusta to play golf, which is probably the gold standard.

posted by beaverboard at 10:47 AM on November 21, 2013

Always thought McNabb was a good guy. I'm surprised by these allegations.

When Andrews talks about how he fantasized about killing or paralyzing himself in a car accident because of the abuse and finally saw a psychiatrist, it makes me wonder if the root of the problem here is that the macho culture of the NFL makes it hard for these guys to seek help for mental difficulties.

The big change that ought to happen as a result of the Incognito mess is for the NFL to embrace mental counseling, encourage players to seek it out and make a psychiatrist or therapist available to players on each team.

posted by rcade at 11:12 AM on November 21, 2013

Always thought McNabb was a good guy.

Asking in all seriousness: what part of his post-Eagles career made you think this? I rooted for the guy for a long time because he was fun to watch at Syracuse and because I felt bad for him on draft day, but since he stopped being a good player he seems to have focused all his energy into staying in the spotlight however he can. The attempts at mentoring RGIII via any media outlet with a live microphone are sad and desperate.

posted by yerfatma at 01:28 PM on November 21, 2013

Asking in all seriousness: what part of his post-Eagles career made you think this?

The limited amount of time I've seen him on the tube or heard him being talked about. It's not a deeply formed impression, since I'm a long way from any market that cares about him.

posted by rcade at 02:30 PM on November 21, 2013

but since he stopped being a good player he seems to have focused all his energy into staying in the spotlight however he can. The attempts at mentoring RGIII via any media outlet with a live microphone are sad and desperate.

He must have fell asleep during "likable black athlete" class, right?

Just kidding, not really. Then there's this

posted by phaedon at 05:35 PM on November 21, 2013

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