Donovan McNabb Was a Victim of Vandalism at Home in Arizona Last Week

Football fans are generally prone to taking things too far. You would normally excuse fans of the Arizona Cardinals for falling squarely in that category. Their team is, after all, headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. It's a time to get amped and cheer for the Cardinals.

It is not, however, a time to start burning things into the lawns of your opponent. But that's what a few fans did to Donovan McNabb's house -- the one he owns in Arizona -- before the NFC Championship Game last week.

According to a friend of Mrs. McNabb's, "Go Cards" and other similar messages were burned into the front lawn one night last week. This had to be especially scary to the couple's four-year-old daughter, Alexis, who was staying in the house with Roxie and the couple's six-week-old twins. Apparently one of the culprits was identified after leaving a box at the scene with a mailing label affixed bearing his name and address, so we're obviously not talking about criminal masterminds here. But it's tough to imagine that anyone over the age of eight doesn't understand that burning something on the lawn of a house occupied by African-Americans carries deeper social overtones that are highly disturbing. I'm told Donovan took a photo of the damaged lawn and used it as a motivating force for Sunday's game.

Obviously this is the type of thing that will be, hopefully, prosecuted to the fullest extent. And as Michael Silver noted above, there's really no reason to think the criminals in question won't be caught: clearly it's the actions of some pretty misguided emoed-out Arizona fans.

Of course, the scarier thing might be that this was all before the team won; it's pretty terrifying to think what will happen if the team prevails over Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

NFC Championship Images

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell celebrates after the NFL NFC championship football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 32-25. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt York, AP

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on in the second quarter during the NFC championship game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donovan McNabb

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb fumbles as he is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defender Adrian Wilson in the third quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The ball was recovered by the Cardinals. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218948) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after catching a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during fourth quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219025) [Photo via Newscom]

Mike Blake, Reuters

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Running back Edgerrin James #32 of the Arizona Cardinals uses a stiff arm to get by Quintin Demps #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Edgerrin James;Quintin Demps

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jason Avant (C) loses a second quarter pass on third down as Arizona Cardinals defenders Aaron Francisco (L), Ralph Brown (2nd-L) and Adrian Wilson (R) move in during the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218860) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson (L) gathers a fourth quarter touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals defender Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (R) falls in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218997) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after his third touchdown reception in the second quarter of play as Philadelphia Eagles defender Sheldon Brown stands at right in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218890) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie lies in the end zone after his team's win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The Cardinals will face the AFC champions in the Super Bowl in Tampa. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219073) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters