McNabb, T.O. hoop it up

DONOVAN McNABB and Terrell Owens.

Together again.

Tomorrow night at 10, Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes" will premiere an episode featuring current NFL players (the Joes) against former NBA players (the Pros) competing on the basketball court.

McNabb, Owens and Antonio Gates will take on Hakeem Olajuwon, Kenny Smith and Rick Fox.

(Future shock: Episode 2 features Michael Vick.)

McNabb (now the Redskins' quarterback) and Owens (free-agent receiver) were, of course, former teammates on the Eagles. Gates is a tight end with the Chargers. All three played football and basketball in college.

McNabb was on the Syracuse team that went to the NCAA Final Four in 1996. Owens played for the Tennessee-Chattanooga squad that went to the 1995 tournament. And Gates played for Kent State.

We're sworn to secrecy about the outcome of the competition, which was taped in March. But we can tell you that McNabb hit Owens with quite a few passes.

On one occasion, Owens swatted away one of Olajuwon's shots. On another, he stripped Fox then hit a nothing-but-net three-pointer. Not to be outdone, McNabb showed he could drive and hit the jumper.

The only trash-talking came from McNabb, who, as he was introduced, gave Fox a shoulder-shot as he ran past him. The former Laker went sprawling onto the floor, laughing the entire time.

"We're running through [you]," McNabb teased. "It's going to be [like that] all night long."

Co-host Jay Glazer then introduced T.O., who came running out with arms extended like a plane's wings, and danced around in front of the "Pros."

Owens and McNabb hugged and Glazer said, "It's nice to see you two back together after all that drama in Philadelphia. What's it's been, about 5 years now?"

A laughing McNabb, with T.O.'s arm draped around his shoulder, replied, "Get on with the show."

- Tom Mahon

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