Give props to Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb for Philly's sizzling 4-0 start this season—but don't forget his mom and her mac 'n' cheese. In real life Wilma McNabb, 49, plays much the same role she does on those cheeky new Campbell's Chunky Soup TV spots, serving as unofficial Eagles den mother and urging Donovan, 27, and his teammates to eat. In a tradition going back to Donovan's college days at Syracuse, she prepares pregame meals for his team several times a year. "She's like a second mom," says Eagles middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter of the former pediatric nurse. "She does the Southern food just right," says wide receiver Todd Pinkston. "Don't let anyone know, but I think it's our secret weapon."
McNabb was in winning form on the eve of her son's game against the Bears Oct. 3, serving up a feast in their hometown of Chicago to 53 Eagles players and coaches. Tables at the team's down-town hotel were laden with Donovan's favorite red beans and rice ("not too spicy," she says), macaroni with three cheeses and her fried chicken—"finger-lickin' good," says Donovan. (His father, Sam, 53, a retired electrical engineer, carried in the heaping platters from the car.) "I like to make sure the offensive line eats and eats well," says McNabb. "I worry about their health." She also frets about the well-being of her 6'2", 240-lb. offspring, even though he has been married since last year to his college sweetheart, the former Raquel-Ann Nurse, who gave birth to their first child, Alexis, on Sept. 23.
Donovan admits that he's gotten plenty of teasing about their relationship—after the early Campbell's ads, "I'm going to get you, chunky boy" was a favorite diss—but takes it in stride. "It was always good to come in from practice and smell whatever she was cooking," he remembers. "It still gives me a special feeling."
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