1. Donovan McNabb Plays on a Broken Ankle
And here is the #1 ironman moment of the decade. Donovan McNabb's career has been full of people doubting him. He was famously booed when he was drafting by the Eagles, called out by T.O. for throwing up in the Super Bowl, scrutinized by the NAACP for being to much of a prototypical "white" QB, and most recently benched by Mike Shanahan during a crucial drive at the end of a game for allegedly being out of shape and not knowing the 2-minute offense. Not many pro-bowl quarterbacks have led their teams to a Super Bowl and 4 consecutive NFC Championship games, yet McNabb is still constantly being torn apart by his critics. There is one moment in McNabb's history, however that even his critics will agree was a tremendous demonstration of true toughness and grit. In a 2002 game against the Arizona Cardinals, McNabb was sacked on the 3rd play of the game, and immediately clutched his ankle in pain. He was taken back to the locker room to get it checked out, but refused x-rays and instead only had his ankle taped. He went back out onto the field and proceeded to throw for 20 of 25 for 255 and 4 touchdowns. It wasn't until after the game that it was discovered that McNabb's fibula was broken in 3 places. How any player could stand, let alone play on such a seriously injured ankle is amazing, and McNabb also had one of the best games of his career. The injury was serious enough to keep McNabb out for the last 6 weeks of the season, but for he risked his career by withstanding the pain for that game, and led his team to victory. The fans and the media will continue to nitpick everything McNabb does, but this play forever cements McNabb's legacy as one of the toughest players in the league.
Bonus Ironman Moment: Greg Jenning's 98 Yard Touchdown on Broken Leg
(Warning: Explicit Language)
It might be from a video game, but this an incredibly tough performance nonetheless. In the game Packers wide-reciever Greg Jennings caught a quick dump pass from Aaron Rodgers, and proceeded to run 98 yards for the touchdown...on a broken leg. He somehow evaded Darren Sharper at the end as well, completing the unbelievable play.
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