McNabb Denies Illness

KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Donovan McNabb disputed claims by teammates that he was ill during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl and needed help calling a play.

After his first practice for the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, the Philadelphia Eagle quarterback said there was nothing wrong with him during the 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots apart from the expected pressure of a close Super Bowl.

“No, I wasn’t sick and no, I didn’t throw up,” McNabb said. “If people want to use that as an excuse for why we lost, that’s not the way it was, but I’ll put it on my shoulders. I’ll take the blame.”

McNabb raised the subject two days after Eagle center Hank Fraley told a Philadelphia TV station that the McNabb was sick late in the game Sunday and that receiver Freddie Mitchell helped out in the huddle by calling a play.

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From Associated Press