As most NFL fans as well as those who love/hate Rush Limbaugh probably already know, Limbaugh is hoping to become the next owner of the St. Louis Rams. Limbaugh joined with Dave Checketts, owner of the NHL franchise St. Louis Blues, and the group has made an official bid for the Rams.
Limbaugh attempting to own an NFL franchise has obviously generated a great amount of controversy. It’s not the first time that Limbaugh has been the talk of the football world. In the early part of the 2003 NFL regular season, Limbaugh had these words to say about then and now Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
“I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. They’re interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. I think there’s a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he really didn’t deserve.”
Limbaugh views regarding McNabb are not the only reason certain NFL fans and players do not want to see the conservative radio host own the St. Louis Rams or any NFL franchise. Many individuals have publicly claimed that Rush Limbaugh is a racist and bigot. The website NewsOne lists ten racist comments supposedly made by Limbaugh in the past. Included in the list are the remarks Limbaugh made regarding Donovan McNabb. Here are a few more Limbaugh quotes that made the list.
“I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.”
“Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”
More quotes attributed to Limbaugh can also be found here.
According to the Boston Herald, NFL executive director DeMaurice Smith is asking NFL players to let NFL Czar commissioner Roger Goodell know their feelings regarding Rush Limbaugh owning an NFL team. The Los Angeles Times reports that NFL players have already begun to do so. According to the Times, New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka told the New York Daily News “I don’t want anything to do with a team that he (Limbaugh) has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play.” New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott apparently feels the same way. The Times quotes Scott as saying “He could offer me whatever he wanted, I wouldn’t play for him. . . . I wouldn’t play for Rush Limbaugh. My principles are greater and I can’t be bought.”
I’ve been writing for Associated Content for three years this month and have posted a few pieces regarding my political beliefs. Anybody who’s read my work can probably guess how I feel about Rush Limbaugh and his ideologies. For this reason, I’m not going to write an editorial about Rush Limbaugh, the NFL and the St. Louis Rams. Instead, I’m going to pose these questions.
Imagine that the Rush Limbaugh group has indeed won the right to purchase the St. Louis Rams and Limbaugh is now part owner of the Rams. Now, assume that you are a rookie about to enter the NFL Draft. What race you are doesn’t matter for this particular piece (unless, of course, you want it to). If the Limbaugh-run Rams drafted you, would you sign with the team? Would you play for the Limbaugh-owned NFL franchise?
Imagine now that you are a free agent in the NFL and Limbaugh’s general manager has contacted your agent about signing you to the Rams. Would you sign with and play for the Rush Limbaugh-owned St. Louis Rams?
Go back to being just an NFL fan. Do you care if Rush Limbaugh purchases the St. Louis Rams or any NFL team? Does he have a right to do so?
Post your thoughts in the comments section below. Try (and I can’t stress “try” enough) to stay away from any political discussion. This is just about Rush Limbaugh and the NFL. That’s it. I’m eager to see what you, my readers, have to say on the subject of Rush Limbaugh owning an NFL franchise.
