How's that feel? … to watch your son play a violent game?

I've been going to Donovan's games since he was in high school, and 1 still worry. I get nervous when the offense is out there. As a fan I want him to succeed, but as a mother I don't want him to get hurt.

We pray as a family before every game. If it's a home game, we meet at Donovan's house and put him in the middle. Then we make a circle--me, my husband, Donovan's wife, any friends who have traveled in for the game--and say a prayer that Donovan stays safe. If it's an away game, we do it at the team hotel.

I can't eat much before a game. I have to get my game face on. Other people know to pretty much leave me alone.

When Donovan gets hit, I know the player who did it. I know his number, his name, everything. I think the worst time was when Greg Favors hit him in the NFC championship game against Carolina. That was when he hurt his ribs. He fell to his knees, and I knew he was really hurt by the way he walked off the field.

Several of us belong to the Professional Football Players Mothers' Association. If one of the mothers from the other team is unable to make the game and her son gets hurt, she knows one of us will give her a report as quickly as possible. We worry about other sons, too.

Wilma McNabb, mother of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb

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