Some might be questioning Donovan McNabb's placement on the list, but it is undeniable how much of an impact he had on games throughout his career. McNabb was known for single-handedly shifting the momentum of a game by flawlessly delivering a dime down the field or moving his 6'3, 240lb frame like a freight train directly into a linebacker's path. While his success might not have translated to diamonds in the shape of any NFL logos, his peers and those he played against are glad that they don't have to play opposite of him anymore. McNabb took his talents to Syracuse University where he played both football and basketball. And while the school is known for its elite basketball program, McNabb chose to represent the Syracuse Orangemen to prove that he was a worthy pocket-passer. McNabb proved just that winning the Big East Offensive Player of the Year Award from 1996-98 and leading the Orange to an Orange Bowl appearance his senior year.
After being so dominant on a collegiate level, Donovan McNabb was drafted 2nd overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles where he would become a Philly fan-favorite for years to come. In his first full season as a starter, McNabb finished second in NFL MVP voting in 2000 and even led the Eagles to their first playoff berth since 1996. In 2004, McNabb led the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX but came up short against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Following that season, the 6x Pro Bowler was plagued with injuries from 2005 to 2007. In 2010, McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins and played a single season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 before retiring. With 37,257 career passing yards under his belt and a touchdown to interception ratio of 234-117, Donovan McNabb has proven to be amongst the elite quarterbacks of the modern era of football.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.