NFLPA to Rush: get lost Update: Rev Al joins the chorus

Rush Limbaugh’s bid to buy the St Louis Rams has drawn fire from the NFL Players Association and actually I am not sure why. NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith (from ESPN):

In an e-mail to the union’s executive committee on Saturday specifically addressing Limbaugh’s bid, Smith said, “I’ve spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Discrimination and hatred? Such as … oops, no specifics mentioned. Is it that a political commentator wants Obama’s policies to fail? I do. Is it the way Limbaugh exposes the vile hate (Nancy “swastika” Pelosi, or Democrat “Tea Party Mob” Party) from the left. Perhaps it’s the way Limbaugh exposes the political nature of the race card played as a weapon to silence opposition instead of to use it to exclusively expose true racial inequality.

But no, what we find from ESPN is that the NFLPA objects to this:

Limbaugh has expressed a number of controversial racial ideas in the past. For example, he suggested that Gen. Colin Powell supported Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy simply because he was black, and he also stated that the media wants black quarterbacks to do well and that Donovan McNabb doesn’t deserve much of the credit he has received for the Eagles’ success.

Set aside the fact that Rush is not a racist, that his producer is an African American, has never said anything that is racist, spends his time pointing out hypocrisy and double standards on the left, and promoting a market system that serves as the real solution to inner city poverty … we have come to this. Unless an individual tows the politically correct line, speaks only when spoken to and then only in support of the young President, you are no longer qualified to partiipate in the free market.

Oh … this was my favorite line in the ESPN story. Just in case you didn’t know NFL;

Among the half-dozen interested buyers of the Rams, there are strong African-American ownership groups interested in buying the Rams, including businessmen Donald Watkins and Dave Steward.

I think its great that there are qualified bidders who are African American. It’s a sign of economic success that transcends race. But it is not and should not be a qualifier above anything else nor should it be a reason to exclude Limbaugh. The only thing that should matter to these players is success. Financial success.

There was a time when sports were a way to escape from day to day politics. That is more important now than ever. But first NBC decided to include Bob “Bush is a failed President” Costas and then Keith”Bath Tub Boy” Olberman in it’s Sunday telecast. Now this.

I love the Giants and the Pats. I watch regularly and attend one very expensive game each year. Money that helps pay the freight of these NFL players, many of whom are coddled, spoiled and narcissistic, as well as overpaid and under-performing (where’s the NFL pay czar when we need him). But should the NFL disqualify this bid based on Limbaugh’s political views I will no longer watch (as I have with baseball, apparently with a lot of other people). I have better things to do with my time.

UPDATE: yes predictable … the Rev Al has joined the chorus. No Rush.

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Jim Vicevich

Jim is a veteran broadcaster and conservative/libertarian blogger with more than 25 years experience in TV and radio. Jim's was the long-term host of The Jim Vicevich Show on WTIC 1080 in Hartford from 2004 through 2019. Prior to radio, Jim worked as a business and financial reporter for NBC30 - the NBC owned TV station in Hartford - and as business editor at WFSB-TV in Hartford for 14 years while earning six Emmy nominations and three Telly Awards.

13 Comments

  1. gillie28 on October 11, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    Does this work both ways? (please overlook any technical errors here as I know next to nothing about US sports!).  The owner of the Steelers, Dan Rooney, publicly endorsed Obama, "The bond between Obama and the Steelers patriarch is deep, and Rooney may even be in line to become the next US Ambassador to Ireland." (from BigHollywood, Breitbart).  Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks (ok, I think that's basketball) was highly critical of Bush.  Just asking.



  2. Anne-EH on October 12, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Well, well, another sport is being played here, called THE RACE CARD!



  3. Dimsdale on October 12, 2009 at 4:33 am

    Like I needed another reason not to watch professional sports!    I would love to see one of these "non racial" sports teams explain why they aren't responsible for much of the underachievement of blacks in school, because they all think that hours on the basketball court or playing field (instead of doing homework and studying) will make them the next Michael Jordan or whoever.

     

    And how about we apply all the same "diversity" rules to minority dominated sports teams that they foist on businesses and schools.   Since we're being all high and mighty about racists and all….

     

    Equal protection under the law, baby!



  4. Anne-EH on October 12, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Jim, gillie, and Dims, now you understand why I enjoy college sports all the more, because the athletes play for the LOVE of the sport, be it football, basketball, baseball, ete.,.:)=^..^=

    GO UConn!!!!



  5. Anne-EH on October 12, 2009 at 7:25 am

    PS: And to get a GOOD EDUCATION as well! Go UConn!!!!  🙂 =^..^=

     



  6. Vinnie da Blade on October 12, 2009 at 7:42 am

    Forget the tens of millions of dollars Rush has personally raised for The Leukemia Foundation or the 4 million he gave to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.   If he wants to win over the hearts and minds of the NFL Players Association he's going to have to go out and kill some dogs, shoot himself in a bar or repeatedly beat up his girlfriend……..

    Somehow I don't think Rush will put up with the antics of these players that most NFL team owners do; perhaps thats what they're really worried about.  I think he would be great for the league….



  7. jockamo on October 12, 2009 at 8:50 am

    It would seem that the Pendulum has swung  a full 180 degrees. Example; Jim Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic Medals for playing Base Ball for $1.25 per game to pay for room & board in Collage. Now,You condone Dog Killing Quarter Backs & Murdering  Defensive Line Backers, these are Great Mentors For today's Youth, ( maybe in Chicago). I believe Limbaugh would be good for this Sport, and may be that's what's bothering you. Get A Grip!



  8. Anne-EH on October 12, 2009 at 11:24 am

    Jim, your blog commentary has gotten up to 75 posts over at Free Republic. Lots of college and pro football sports fans! :)=^..^=
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2360620/



  9. Dimsdale on October 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    I bet Rush pays all his taxes too!



    • gillie28 on October 12, 2009 at 10:37 pm

      Dims, I'm sure if Rush ever pulled a "TurboTax ate my return" trick like Geithner, his amazingly reduced rear end would be sitting in the slammer right now!



    • Dimsdale on October 13, 2009 at 1:14 pm

      The "Czar" of cellblock 9?…….  😉



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