McNabb Says Irish QBs Second Most Susceptible to Criticism

One day after his televised comments suggesting that African-American quarterbacks face more pressure and criticism than their white counterparts, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb spoke out again Wednesday saying that aside from black QBs, signal callers of Irish descent have to deal with the harshest judgment.

"Unfortunately, I fall into both categories," McNabb said. "Yet another example of why I am unfairly treated by the media and fans. Last year when I got hurt and Jeff Garcia came in, Philly couldn't get enough of him. Sometimes I just think it would be easier if I was a gay Mexican."

McNabb admits that he sometimes presses in an effort to fight off the negative preconceived ideas about Irish quarterbacks, including the belief that they're always drunk or that they all know where a pot of gold is hidden. He even goes so far as to say that he hates the Eagles green uniforms because everyone expects Irish quarterbacks to wear green and he would prefer not to perpetuate stereotypes.

"It's frustrating because people are always coming up to me and asking me to sign potatoes or shillelaghs and I have to say no," he said. "When Ron Jaworski was here people didn't run up to him and ask him to sign kielbasas, so why should I be subjected to this? It's insulting."

While agreeing that all quarterbacks are vulnerable to a certain level of criticism, McNabb insisted that media and fans are considerably tougher on Irish QBs like himself and the Ravens Steve McNair, as well as Irish position players like Larry Fitzgerald and Willis McGahee.

"Jake Delhomme is filthy, he reeks and he chain smokes on the sidelines, but nobody says a word," McNabb said. "Ben Roethlisberger wears lederhosen to his post-game press conferences. Again, not a peep. Meanwhile, I can't even walk into a bar and order a Guinness without someone challenging me to a bare knuckle boxing match."