Two syllables. Two words. But so much controversy.
Who is the greatest Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of all time?
That depends on who you ask.
Some say Cunningham. Jaworski. Jerguson. Brocklin.
According to WWE Superstar John Cena, statistically, it is Donovan McNabb, even though he couldn't "win the big one."
Cena gave his opinion last night, when WWE brought its Monday Night Raw TV show to the Wells Fargo Center.
With the WWE gearing up for Wrestlemania 29 on April 7th in New Jersey, the spotlight was on the main event which features the champion The Rock (yes, that Rock) grappling with the number one contender Cena.
At the end of last night's three hour plus show, Cena and Rock met face to face in a questions and answers segment with WWE Hall of Famers.
The wrestling legends posed queries at the two combatants in order to gauge their thoughts prior to the marquee match.
Cena, who incidentally lost to The Rock at last year's Wrestlemania, was asked this question by Mick "Mankind" Foley, "Are you prepared to live with the type of regret that might accompany another loss at this year's Wrestlemania?"
Before we get to Cena's answer that indeed includes Donovan McNabb and his place in Eagles lore, it may be necessary to discuss a bit of wrestling psychology.
Wrestlers want to garner a reaction.
Whether it is in boos or cheers, the Superstars, as they are called in WWE, want the fans in attendance to be clapping, jumping, pointing their thumbs down, just doing anything; they do not want the thousands in attendance to just be sitting in their seats twiddling their thumbs.
So Cena, being the consummate professional wrestler that he is, knew what cord to strike with the Philadelphia fans. He compared himself to McNabb.
Here is Cena's answer:
"Mick [Foley], you want me to talk to you about regret. Well, that's a tougher story to tell and I'm going to try and make you feel exactly how I would if I were to lose that match.
Donovan McNabb. Donovan McNabb.
Statistically, Donovan McNabb is the greatest quarterback ever to put on an Eagles uniform.
But Mick, listen to how the people in the own city that he played for remember him. Why? Because Donovan McNabb could not win the big one.
Philadelphia cares about its teams. Philadelphia's fans have passion and with that type of passion, they deserve someone who can win the big one.
Much like the WWE Universe, they are invested in the WWE. And at the end of the day, want to look to a man who can win the big one.
If I lose on April 7th, I will carry the legacy of Donovan McNabb. State to state. City to city. Arena to arena.
I will get reaction after reaction of disdain because statistically I may be good, but I will never be able to win the big one."
While McNabb never won the Super Bowl with the Eagles, Cena has won the WWE Championship.
Not the same thing, mind you, but in wrestling, winning the title is as big as it gets.
And there are some parallels with the journeys of Cena and McNabb, including those important statistics and the cloud of controversy.
McNabb, with his 32,873 passing yards, is seen by Cena (and many others) as the best Eagles quarterback, but could have been better.
In the world of WWE, Cena, with his 10 championships, believes he can be better by defeating The Rock for one more championship on wrestling's grandest stage.
Even with Cena's multi-title reigns, a large number of wrestling aficionados do not see him as the best. Will Cena defeating The Rock change their minds?
Cena alluded that his Wrestlemania match is equal to the Eagles 2004 Superbowl.
He, however, is hoping he can win the big one, unlike McNabb did.
As for the second connection, controversy not only surrounds Donovan and whether he is the Eagles' greatest QB, it also engulfs the feud between The Rock and John Cena.
Some fans cheer Cena. Others boo.
Some cheer The Rock. Others boo.
It is one's opinion on who is better, just like it is one's opinion on the best Eagles quarterback.
But if you were in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center Monday night, there was no controversy concerning how the the majority of fans reacted when Cena said the words 'Donovan McNabb.'
It contained one less syllable than 'best ever.'
