Do You Think Donovan McNabb Is Funny?

Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb are both great quaterbacks. Donovan McNabb and Peyton Manning are both tremendous examples of professional athletes who are intelligent and well spoken. Donovan McNabb and Peyton Mannning are both wonderful figureheads for their families, teams, and anything else they decide to endorse as a football player or as a person. The difference between Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb is Peyton Manning is funny and Donovan McNabb is not.

When it comes to being funny Peyton Manning gets it. He knows when to be funny and when he is trying to be humorous it is not forced. Manning takes a few opportunities to be sarcastic or make fun of himself for what he is or what he is not. This works for all of the companies he represents and in turn Manning has benefited from the extra TV time he gets from these spots. Manning's effectiveness in humourous spots are easiest to see when he stars in spots with others who may not be as comfortable. Take a look here at this short NBC Promo with Reggie Bush:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTAnm95hPQ

Donovan McNabb is not funny. McNabb's humor is forced. There are many times when McNabb is being interviewed in a serious spot and he decides to throw Middle School humor at us. What confuses me is often the media seems to enjoy it and prasies him for his lightheartedness. I think the shame is that in my eyes McNabb's unsuccessful attempt at humor often undermines the intelligent athlete that he is. McNabb's actions when trying to be funny are a kin to Bevis and Butt Head. People think it is funny but I sure do not see it. The best example I can find of this is a charity basketball game where McNabb obviously thinks he needs to get attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNh1ejZ3kX0

McNabb's awkward attempts at humor have always annoyed me probably more than it should. I can see how it goes right by the majority of sports fans but take a look over the next few weeks as McNabb is thrust into the spotlight with the success of the Eagles and see if the way he handles himself doesn't rub you the wrong way.