Man asked to remove McNabb Redskins jersey at Eagles camp

Published: Aug 11, 2010 at 10:34 AM

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Jim Devlin said he was just trying to stir the pot by wearing a replica of Donovan McNabb's maroon Washington Redskins jersey on the sideline at Philadelphia Eagles training camp Wednesday morning.

Instead, he believes he stirred up Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Security guards asked Devlin, a 43-year-old from King of Prussia, Pa., to remove the jersey. He told Philadelphia radio station 97.5 The Fanatic that he did so without complaint, adding the guard who asked him to remove the jersey said the request came from Reid.

An Eagles spokesman denied that, saying Reid wasn't aware of Devlin's presence and that the guards were acting to calm the commotion created when reporters crowded around the fan while practice was in session.

McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who spent 11 seasons with the Eagles, was traded to the NFC East rival Redskins in April.

While many fans were happy to see McNabb go -- he took the Eagles to five conference championship games but didn't win a Super Bowl -- Devlin said he still thinks highly of the quarterback.

Devlin wore the McNabb jersey to a Phillies game Sunday and said he received mixed reactions. On Wednesday, a friend gave him an Eagles sideline pass. Devlin said fans granted such access are given written instructions how to conduct themselves.

Devlin said cell phones and beverages aren't permitted, but he wasn't made aware of restrictions on apparel of another team. A team spokesman confirmed that isn't a set policy, just a preference.

"I just wanted to get reactions from the fan base, see who says what," Devlin said. "Maybe get in a healthy debate on whether Donovan McNabb was good or bad for this franchise."

But security intervened.

"I'm fine," Devlin said. "Everybody was very cool, calm, professional and did not make a big deal about it. They asked me, and I figured I'm a guest at their facility, so why not make life easier for everybody?"

Devlin said the fans around him expressed surprise when he was asked to strip down to the T-shirt he was wearing under the jersey.

"Nobody really thought I was really wrong," he said. "They asked me to do something, and I was more than happy to do it."

Devlin said he plans to wear the jersey when McNabb returns to Philadelphia on Oct. 3 to face his old team.

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