Kevin’s Conversations: Handling the Critics
Donovan McNabb was the best quarterback in Philadelphia Eagles history.
He holds virtually every team career passing record as well as many single season records, too. While playing the most important position on the field during his eleven seasons with the team, McNabb helped lead the Eagles through one of their most successful periods in franchise history.
And yet, in Philadelphia at least, McNabb is often not fully appreciated for everything he meant to the Eagles and all his accomplishments. To the hard-core fan in fact, many times he is viewed more as a pain-in-the-butt nuisance than he is a sports hero to be revered.
To go in depth with all the reasons for this could get a bit long and tedious, especially for non-Philadelphia fans and non-football fans. So I’ll try not to overwhelm with detail while still trying to provide some understanding.
Day One of Donovan McNabb’s career as Philadelphia Eagle came on draft day of 1999. McNabb was announced before the crowd as the number 2 pick in the entire NFL draft to the Eagles and was booed lustily by a group of 30 rowdy hooligans who were rallied together by a loud-mouthed Philadelphia sports talk radio host. The group believed the Eagles should select Ricky Williams and were prepared to boo anyone picked by the team who wasn’t Williams. (Good thing the Eagles were smarter than this group in their player evaluations.)
Although it was only a small group of cretins and they weren’t even directly booing McNabb himself, it was still quite the rude welcome to Philadelphia. Donovan has repeatedly claimed that he has long forgotten about the booing and it’s water under the bridge. But his words and attitudes belie him. Despite the fact that McNabb says it doesn’t bother him anymore and it hasn’t for a long time, he displays a need to incessantly talk about it. Sometimes he will bring up the incident unprompted. Often in efforts to seemingly remind everyone how he was wronged or not given the proper credit for how good he was. If he was truly over it and it didn’t bother him, one would think he wouldn’t be apt to bring it up in conversation as regularly as he does and would just brush it aside without much comment when others brought up the subject.
And thus a pattern can be observed that extends well beyond the draft day booing episode. McNabb was a very good quarterback. But he didn’t reach the level of being an all-time great because of some shortcomings in his game and maybe even his personality. And while he received much praise for his success and accomplishments, in a sports-crazed culture and especially a tough sports-crazed town like Philadelphia, he also received criticism. Sometimes the criticism was fair and other times it was over-the-top and unwarranted. Unfortunately, McNabb frequently did not excel in handling the criticism, at least in the public arena.
He liked to promote himself as one with thick skin who didn’t let anything get to him. Yet at the same time he would bemoan the criticism he was getting and would complain about how undeserved it was. Meanwhile, in classic passive aggressive fashion, he would regularly criticize the fans or the media, or sometimes even his coaches or teammates. The criticism he was receiving would be laid at the feet of another. Because, you see, it was never really Donovan’s fault. Somebody else was to blame. Somebody was always out to get him. Real or perceived, he was always being slighted.
This pattern continued for years, even still to this day. So even though Donovan McNabb was the most successful quarterback in Philadelphia Eagle history, there is a tenable uneasiness by many Philadelphia fans in accepting him as a beloved franchise icon. For many of us, we want to like him, but the perpetual whining behavior in wanting to play the martyr and presenting himself as something he is not and deflecting blame onto others sure has been grating. So when McNabb’s name is brought up to a rabid Philadelphia sports fan, it is just as likely to be met with a roll of the eyes as it would be with the acclamations of a sports hero.
This is where I’m going – In our culture, Christianity (the traditional and conservative type anyway) is becoming increasingly marginalized. More and more of our beliefs and practices are becoming at best, politically incorrect, and at worst, despised and ostracized. There is certainly media (primarily radio and internet) that is biased conservatively and will often argue in defense of traditional Christianity and/or its ideals, but that does not stop mainstream media (primarily tv, newspapers, etc.) from heaping scorn upon traditional conservative Christians and their beliefs and actions.
Some criticism is well justified when considering the hypocrisy and arrogance and cover up of wrongs and abuses committed by Christians and their churches and organizations. Other criticism is decidedly undue and unfair. Most especially when we are standing for what is true and right.
But how do we handle it all? Do we humbly admit when we have been hypocritical or wrong on an issue or sinful in other ways? Or do we find a way to rationalize it and shift blame to someone else? Do we portray ourselves as something we are not, as almost being above sin and corruption?
What if it is not even us personally who have committed wrongs, but rather some of our leaders or organizations? Are we able to admit that they are wrong or do we stubbornly ignore the problems or even go to the lengths of proclaiming their righteousness and innocence despite evidence that would suggest otherwise?
What about the criticism that is unfair and unrighteous? What do we do about that? Do we regularly bemoan the liberal media who is always out to get us? Are we always looking for ways to point out how biased the media or our culture is against Christianity? Do we like to play the martyr card?
We have previously discussed on this blog how we are exiles in this land. And “this land” is pretty much any land until Jesus comes back to establish his kingdom. Jesus told us that they will hate us because they hated Him. The gospel is a stumbling block and foolishness to those who don’t believe.
Receiving attacks and criticism from the world should be more than expected. So how do we fare in receiving them? Do we reflect Christ’s meekness and righteousness? Or do we take the offense of the gospel and add on our own offense of whininess and belligerence and martyrdom-playing? Do we add an unnecessary layer of dislike that makes it even that much harder for the world to hear our message?
Lord, help us to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.
Putting aside the fact that McNabb once embarrassed himself with my beloved Vikings…your last paragraph is solid gold.
Been saying that for years…then ducking. 🙂
I thought you might have something to say about McNabb’s Viking tenure.
I think it would be safe to say that Donovan McNabb was not the best quarterback in Minnesota Viking history. 🙂
Is it really saying much to say someone was the best Eagle 🙂 ?
Josh,
I will take the high road and not play the martyr to your criticism. 😉
this post isn’t easy to answer… BTW wise as serpents … is there a scripture for that proverb?
“Do we reflect Christ’s meekness and righteousness? Or do we take the offense of the gospel and add on our own offense of whininess and belligerence and martyrdom-playing?” a good question to ponder…
it is better to be belligerent, taking offense at slander against The Faith, rather than taking a polite, double minded appearing unsure, but polite position – both errors? yes, but i’m not sure which is the greater error
truth be told, not many pew sitting “church-goers” are faced with defending the faith – are we?
You don’t get to do this if you are not the best 🙂
I will take issue with one point…because I’ve been looking for an opportunity to make this point. 🙂
I hear Christians whining about the “main stream media”…when Fox News is far and away the ratings leader, Drudge is the internet standard, and talk radio is almost all right wing .
Conservatives are the main stream media.
Spare me the tears…
Em – Matthew 10:16
Michael,
You may be right that when taking in media as a collective whole, while also accounting for some media sources being bigger and more influential than others, there very well be more conservative influence than liberal in the media.
I am referring to “mainstream media” as that as it has traditionally been thought of – tv, newspaper, magazines, etc. In those realms there are far more liberally biased sources than conservatives ones. And you are right that Fox News is easily the largest tv news source and they are conservative. However, since the large, large majority of tv news is biased the other way, collectively I would think it results in a larger liberal bias on tv.
I have to say that I had a hard time taking in the main point because this;
“If he was truly over it and it didn’t bother him, one would think he wouldn’t be apt to bring it up in conversation as regularly as he does and would just brush it aside without much comment when others brought up the subject.”
reminded way too much of how I must come off sometimes.
I accepted Jesus in the mid 80’s. Shortly afterward all the Bakker / Swaggert / Televangelists scandals came out. That was a fun time to be a new believer – not. These guys were causing people to criticize my faith.
As a new believer, I realized that I shared faith with a bunch of stinkers. But that I also had my own list of stink that I had to fess up to. I can’t defend someone else’s stink and there’s not enough cologne or deodorant to cover up mine.
Best to just point out that Jesus loves me as a stinker, and that He will clean me up in HIs time.
who cares?
ya mama?
once a cc guru,
Evidently a lot of folks…we will note that you do not.
Please. NBC, ABC, CBS absolutely DWARF the ratings for Fox News on a nightly news basis. Getting 9-10 million or so viewers EACH whereas O’Reilly gets like 3 million and then the other shows drop off substantially from there. Who cares if you lead in CABLE news if the topic is mainstream media and its influence. That’s like comparing the top hockey team with the NFL.
This is true even for the Sunday morning political shows when Fox News broadcasts on regular Fox. For example, in July the big three got 3 million or more EACH and Fox got 1.3 million total. (I’m not including all the links but I found this data in minutes)
As to the internet – here is a link to the most popular news sites, with Huffington Post right up there as one of only three to have over 100 million monthly unique visitors. http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/news-websites
As far as talk radio – I have never heard someone try to lump talk radio in the category of mainstream news media. Radio stations are far more about entertainment than news sources (except maybe the traffic and very local issues). it’s all about the ads and bucks and liberals in large numbers do not tune into talk radio political formats as entertainment (see Air America) but instead are listening to sports, music, Howard Stern etc. Those who are interested have a massive force in NPR.
As an aside, when I was commuting all the time, if I had talk radio on it was almost always one of the no less than four sports stations I could tune into and rest assured, when the topic of politics or current events creeped in, the VAST majority of these hosts pushed the liberal view and there was plenty of conservative bashing to go around. Speaks to their audience because if they ever said something against gay marriage for example they likely would get a suspension (as has happened in the past)
And of course, no mention of the dead tree influence which has not exactly disappeared. New York Times, Washington Post especially but also LA Times and a host of regional papers that (if you look at their political endorsements and editorial sections) definitely tilt left. The Wall St. Journal definitely lags those leaders. These news sources of course have an online presence and if you see the link I posted above…it is massive.
And can we really compare the Weekly Standard with something like Time Magazine for reach and influence?
Kevin,
Great article, definitely gives one pause…..
I have a confession to make. Years ago, I listened to and read a lot from James Dobson. For awhile he was actually one of my heroes. I still agree with a lot of his child and family advice, but he should have just stuck with that and stayed out of the political arena.
I bring this up because he has been (at least to me) an example of how not to respond to criticism and slander. Now, I haven’t listened to anything from him for some years, so I am referring mostly to earlier times, not so much recently.
I am in complete agreement with your statement ,
” Receiving attacks and criticism from the world should be more than expected.” He often acted like the attacks upon him and his ministry were a surprise.
“What about the criticism that is unfair and unrighteous? What do we do about that? Do we regularly bemoan the liberal media who is always out to get us? Are we always looking for ways to point out how biased the media or our culture is against Christianity? Do we like to play the martyr card?”
Yes, the media and culture often did seem biased against him and what he stood for. It took me a long time to mature enough as a Christian to realize that he was bringing a lot of it on himself, instead of blindly believing. But he regularly rallied the troops for action against whatever the current enemy of the day was, that had attacked him. And now, that seems childish to me….
” Do we add an unnecessary layer of dislike that makes it even that much harder for the world to hear our message?”
– Sadly, this is what I have seen with Dobson. Never mind that his message seems to have changed radically over the years. His very public political efforts are not helping spread the Gospel that he professes.
Just sharing my thoughts on an example that was brought to mind by your excellent article.
Dallas @ 10…..
That is something I really have to watch in myself, also…… I have had to spend much time in prayer trying to really, actually, get over something.
Then I catch myself bringing it up yet again and think “crap, I thought I was done…”
(Mental note to self – Save insult from once a cc guru. Be sure to regularly reference later on whenever opportunities come to bemoan those who criticize my writing.)
Oops, did I just type that out loud? 🙂
Owen,
I’m much in the same boat with you on Dobson. I used to think pretty highly of him (and still do in some ways), but have really soured on him the more and more he got entangled with politics and the way he has acted within such.
Fantastic article, Kevin! I enjoyed reading it.
“If he was truly over it and it didn’t bother him, one would think he wouldn’t be apt to bring it up in conversation as regularly as he does and would just brush it aside without much comment when others brought up the subject.”
This makes me think of letting go and acceptance. But it’s so hard to let go when the pain is still there and accepting the pain goes against our human nature. People say, “get over it,” but each individual is different and has their own private pain they deal with on a daily basis.
Having said that, it’s vital that we do let go and let God, to use a trite phrase. We must accept what God has allowed to cause hurt and pain in our lives. I’m really bad at it. It takes me literally years to let go of certain things, because I am impatient. All I want is for the pain to stop but I just sabotage myself by holding on.
God help us all to accept the things we cannot change.
Well said, Cash. The pain aspect is very real.
Kevin,
To make a bad pun – I think the older he got, the more he lost his “Focus”.
Owen, maybe a bad pun but an apt fit.
#8- thank you Kevin, for ignoring my lazy self and giving the reference…
i like that posts such as this one keep the PhxP blog from succumbing to a victim mindset
it is one thing to try to learn from past wounds (given or received), but another thing altogether to dwell there – are you listening, Em?
It becomes plainly obvious that Kevin was offended and developed a “root of bitterness.”
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
This is from Hebrews twelve: fifteen.
Kevin needs to forgive those whom he was offended by if he wants to grow and move forward in his life.
http://shekinahfellowship.blogspot.com/2013/06/have-you-been-offended-by-others.html
Correction: not “Kevin” but “Donovan McNabb” was offended.
So does Donovan win the Bitter Eagle as opposed to the Bitter Dove? 🙂
🙂