Donovan McNabb was a guest on Stephen A. Smith’s “Know Mercy” podcast and Smith supported him despite the fact that it had been almost five years since ESPN dismissed McNabb after a sexual abuse incident.
About 10 minutes into the show that aired on Friday, Smith segued their chat by saying McNabb, “you should be on TV more, quite frankly.”
“I haven’t seen you on TV enough,” Smith questioned the former NFL quarterback. “Do you feel that way about yourself?”
“Absolutely,” McNabb replied and agreed with Smith. McNabb added, “Should’ve still been on TV, but that’s a whole other issue.”
Smith then went on to say, “that’s a problem,” in reference to his current employer’s choice.
“I ain’t gonna get too much into specifics, but we all know what you were accused of and what have you, and as a result of that, you were taken off television,” Smith stated. He went on, “I still don’t think it was fair. I’m saying it for the record.”
Based on a complaint filed in 2017 by former NFL NFL Network wardrobe stylist Jami Cantor, McNabb was one of many NFL Network commentators listed in the action. Cantor claimed she was subjected to sexual harassment while working at the network. McNabb had just switched jobs and was working for ESPN when the charges arose, yet ESPN nonetheless banned him.
In 2018, he lost his job at the network. As late as a month after ESPN’s ruling, McNabb continued to deny Cantor’s charges in an interview with The Post.
In an interview with The Post published in February 2018, McNabb claimed, “There’s an ongoing investigation at the NFLN, and I certainly respect the need for change with regard to this issue, but as far as my situation, I did not sexually harass anyone”
Seven months later, as per TMZ Sports, NFL Network settled with Cantor.
McNabb participated in the NFL for 13 years (11 with the Eagles, 1 with the Vikings, and 1 with Washington) and was named to the Pro Bowl six times before transitioning to a career in broadcasting. In 2004, under his guidance, the Eagles reached the Super Bowl, where they ultimately defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots.
