During a recent interview, Donovan McNabb opened up with his thoughts on the recent bullying accusations that have been thrown at him. His former teammate from 2004-2010, Shawn Andrews, claims that McNabb made his career on the team “a living hell” by spreading vicious rumors about him.
“He was the type of person that had everything in the world he could want, but that still wasn’t enough,” said Andrews. “He wanted the attention on him. There was a whole lot of that behavior. He wasn’t just that way with me. I’m thinking, ‘Every day I strap on my shoulder pads and helmet, I’m here to protect you … He was a big part of it — he was a big part of my issues there. Bully is a strong word, but he was degrading to me and spread rumors. It’s bothered me that I haven’t really spoken about it.”
@donovanjmcnabb Dude, Kyle Eckel called in to defend the locker room. He was dumbfounded what Andrews said.
— Robi Pickett (@rlp12273) November 8, 2013
McNabb says the accusations are “ridiculous”, and that he is not now, or has ever been, a bully.
“That is ridiculous. I don’t know what comments you expect to get from me, but that is news to me and completely false. For me to bully anybody, that sounds unbelievable. . . .I don’t really understand why this would come about, one, and two, how this would even be an accusation. If there’s anything I can say, I was more than open to Shawn. I always tried to be open to all the guys. I’d invite them over to my house. I’d have holiday dinners or team functions, especially for the offense, every year. I’d buy all the guys gifts, if I made the Pro Bowl or not, for an appreciation. Shawn was one of the most talented offensive linemen we had. I was always happy to have him.
Although McNabb has consistently denied the accusations, Andrews is standing firm in saying that McNabb did bully him. “I just did it for my conscience, man,” Andrews said. “I did it for my freaking conscience, man. The normal thing to do is deny it, especially if I was in that position. So many people are coming at me, defending him because of his superstar status, but they didn’t work with him. Shawn Andrews worked with him and for him. I laid it on the line for him.”
Find it a little odd that Donovan mcnabb is being accused of bullying. Shawn Andrews is proven head case.
— Greg Doran Jr (@GregD2124) November 21, 2013
Andrew’s accusation comes not long after Miami Dolphin’s offensive lineman, Richie Incognito, was accused of harassing one of his fellow teammates. McNabb thinks it is odd that these accusations would suddenly pop up. “Does this seem kind of odd that all of a sudden my name would pop up in a situation like this?” McNabb said. “I haven’t played with Shawn in years. I haven’t said anything bad. It’s odd to me because again, my name is a lightning rod anytime it’s mentioned. If there were issues that were going on, wouldn’t that have come out? I don’t believe bullying answers anything. I’m really taken aback by this whole accusation.”
Just let me say this: @donovanjmcnabb is a big brother 2 me & always always been a 1st class individual & NEVER a bully. #Period
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) November 21, 2013
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