Editing Donovan McNabb (section)

== Complicated Legacy ==

McNabb's relationship with Philadelphia fans reflected tensions that the city's demanding culture creates. The booing at the draft, the criticism during struggles, and the debates about his leadership all demonstrated that achievement alone cannot satisfy fans who expect championships. His demeanor, sometimes perceived as too casual for a city that values visible intensity, created disconnect that statistical success could not bridge.<ref name="macnow"/>

His trade to Washington in 2010 ended his Eagles career under circumstances that lacked the celebration his accomplishments deserved. The subsequent career decline and the complicated reconciliation with the franchise reflected the difficulty of separating achievement from expectation. McNabb's return for jersey retirement demonstrated that time enables appreciation that contemporary frustrations sometimes prevent.<ref name="didinger"/>

His legacy as the Eagles' most successful quarterback remains secure despite the complicated relationship his tenure produced. The wins, the championships reached, and the transformation of a struggling franchise into a perennial contender all confirm achievements that debates about style or personality cannot diminish. McNabb represents what Eagles football could achieve while also illustrating the gap between success and satisfaction that characterizes Philadelphia sports culture.<ref name="macnow"/>