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McNabb’s number to be retired

Associated Press

Donovan McNabb’s voice cracked and his eyes watered when he stood at the podium to give his retirement speech.

Famously booed when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999, McNabb couldn’t hide the tears when he called it quits 14 years later. The six-time Pro Bowl quarterback was back in Philadelphia on Monday to make it official, three years after he was traded from the Eagles and 21 months after taking his final snap in the NFL.

“Special day,” McNabb said. “I’m not one for emotion, but this is pretty tough.”

Before McNabb even took the stage, team owner Jeffrey Lurie revealed that his No. 5 will be retired on Sept. 19.

“The No. 5 has become synonymous with one of the greatest eras of Eagles football,” Lurie said. “And ensuring that no one else will ever wear Donovan’s number, we honor one of the greatest playmakers to ever wear an Eagles uniform.”

McNabb will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame and have his jersey retired on Sept. 19 when the Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs on a Thursday night. Former Eagles coach Andy Reid, who drafted McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick in 1999, now coaches the Chiefs.

McNabb led the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl in 11 seasons in Philadelphia. But he failed to lead the team to its first NFL championship since 1960, and some hold that against him.

Leach back with Ravens

Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach signed a two-year contract with Baltimore after being released by the Ravens in June.

Leach paved the way Ray Rice to gain 1,143 yards last season. Leach ran nine times for 32 yards during the regular season and scored a postseason touchdown against Indianapolis.

Around the league

Eagles linebacker Jason Phillips tore his right ACL in Monday’s practice, a season-ending injury. … Buffalo defensive end Mario Williams missed his second straight practice to have his sore foot evaluated by team doctors. … The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with offensive guard Chance Warmack. The Tennessean reported a four-year contract with a fifth-year team option with a total value of $12.17 million with a $7.2 million signing bonus.