Sorry, Rush
Published on -10/16/2009, 8:49 AM
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Whether the NFL's St. Louis Rams really are for sale might be up for debate. What is not is Rush Limbaugh's potential ownership interest. There will be none.
The conservative radio talk show host was part of a group making a bid for the football team. On Wednesday, the group dropped him like a hot potato after both NFL players and owners alike expressed their outrage over Limbaugh owning even a small wedge.
It turns out the media giant's own words have come back to haunt him.
Back in 2003, Limbaugh was working for ESPN as a color commentator on Sunday night broadcasts. When talking about Donovan McNabb, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Limbaugh said: "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."
His opinion did not sit well with McNabb, the black community, football fans in general or ESPN, which pressured him to resign. While Limbaugh's words might have resonated with many others, his short career at the sports channel was over. ESPN wanted its on-air personalities to discuss sports, not make racist comments during prime-time national broadcasts. When examining the facts as they existed in 2003, it was hard to interpret the comment as anything else.
Philadelphia long has held a reputation as a defensive power. Of that there's no dispute. But defense was not the reason McNabb has Hall of Fame numbers with 30,000 career passing yards, a 60-percent completion rate or 200 touchdowns. Defense, and offense, and McNabb, were in the midst of a 12-4 record that year -- good enough to make the playoffs.
And it's not that McNabb was breaking any ground as a black quarterback. It did take decades for a black player to make inroads at the key position, but that was never a question of ability. It was the intoleration of white owners, coaches and other players to have a black man in the primary leadership position as signal-caller.
But that barrier already had been broken. Warren Moon already had established his eventual Hall of Fame career by that point. Randall Cunningham had played in numerous Pro Bowls already. Andre Ware was the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy -- four years earlier. Six years earlier, Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP after the Redskins routed the Broncos.
It was an ill-advised comment by Limbaugh -- and he paid the price. He's still paying for it today because 2003 was a mere six years ago. NcNabb is still playing and nobody has forgotten the racist remarks.
So, in order to keep a potential bid on the table, the group pursuing the purchase of the Rams kicked Limbaugh off its team.
"It has become clear that his involvement in our group has become a complication and a distraction to our intentions; endangering our bid to keep the team in St. Louis," said Dave Checketts, the group's leader. "As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."
Holding true to form, Limbaugh is less than apologetic. No remorse, here. It is apparently not in his nature to admit he is wrong. Instead, he deflected.
"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.
"Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have."
If Limbaugh's battle is to ensure adults refuse to accept responsibility for their actions or words, we wish him no success in his efforts.
Editorial by Patrick Lowry
What is racist about saying that the media wanted a black QB to succeed so they gave him more chances than other quarterbacks would have received in similar circumstances?!?! That is analysis of the way things are not racism. He did not say that McNabb should not play because he is black or blacks cannot play QB. Your blind hatred for Rush has clouded your judgment on this one. Take off the liberal glasses and look at what he actually said. Maybe it was bad football analysis of McNabb's talent but it was certainly not a racist remark. Perhaps the lesson learned from McNabb is to give more quarterbacks time to develop. Be patient with them and it will pay off. Maybe that is a lesson we can all learn in our own lives. But cut out the race card.
(Posted by: T)
A "rush": 10/20/2009
Seems to me the Hays Daily got a big "rush" going after Rush Limbaugh. Do you suppose it's because the political perspective of one is so different than the other? Do you suppose the paper saw this NFL thing as such a big story just maybe somebody higher up in the ownership chain wrote this piece? The editorial states that Limbaugh sees this mostly as an opportunity or excuse for leftist media to go after a conservative. So what does the paper do? Just that! It proceeds to demonize a conservative. How many "zillion" words down thru the years have come out of Rush's mouth yet leftists had to make up lies about this man's racism. The lies drummed up by critics would have made for a better editorial.
(Posted by: An Observant Subscriber)
mlh: 10/19/2009
So, I listen to Rush and Fox because I have nothing else? I really don't see much HOPE being offered and don't like the CHANGE being implemented by the Left. If that is my only other choice, then I'll stick with Rush & Fox. (that is until Nancy & Harry repeal the 1st amendment).
(Posted by: RS)
Rush: 10/19/2009
Mr. Limbaugh was approached by the potential buyers group, not he approaching them. The HDN would do well to better source it's attributions to Mr. Limbaugh...but oh, that would be fair and balanced and journalism....not the elite, liberal media machine's standards. Me think they doest protest too much.
(Posted by: Bert Wilke)
: 10/19/2009
Check into the background and resume of a couple part-owners of the Miami Dolphins. The league has no qualms about their loose use of the 'n' word in their respective 'arts', and one even has had bladder control issues due to alcohol abuse during concerts, on-stage. Then you have athletes who have: ran dog-killing fight operations, been attached to murder cases, been convicted of drug crimes, domestic abuse, steroid abuse, and even drunken-driving manslaughter...and while a short suspension maybe plays part, these guys still have a job with no qualms. Let's not forget how Keith Olbermann's fiery and incendiary rhetoric hasn't prevented him from his commentary position on Sunday Night Football. I think Rush is a big bag of hot air myself, but this was ridiculous.
(Posted by: )
RS-: 10/19/2009
People aren't seeking him out to hear his message...he's saying what people want to hear, the people who are bitter that McCain didn't win and they are turning to him and Fox news because they have nothing else. We are trying to discredit what he says because he is leading people down a path of fear and ignorance and its not helping our country in any way.
(Posted by: mlh)
Limbaugh Phoebia: 10/18/2009
I find it interesting that those who think Rush Limbaugh is so wrong and meaningless spend so much time and effort trying to discredit what he says. Could it be these people are afraid of the message so many are scrambling to hear?
(Posted by: RS)
IGNORE LIMBAUGH: 10/16/2009
No he isn't going away . but to do otherwise provides him material for tomorrow's program. Any team Rush has a stake in will survive if black players boycott, such a team, Black players can boycott because other teams will hire talent from a position of colorblindness.
(Posted by: ksredblue)
successful career: 10/16/2009
you forgot to mention Rush's actual football experience as the mvp in the toilet bowl.
(Posted by: redpink)
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