In No Rush to Approve Limbaugh

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To quote him lately, Rush Limbaugh would tell you that he is not a racist. But to quote him in the past, some of his more memorable lines have had much to do with racial stereotypes and denigrations.

And with Rush Limbaugh announcing last week that he was making a bid to become a partial owner in the NFL football team, the St. Louis Rams, those racist quotes are coming back to haunt him.

Of course, nothing Rush Limbaugh does goes without scrutiny and at least some kind of backlash. Announcing he could be the potential owner of an NFL team, in particular his home state St. Louis Rams, certainly produced a good deal of both, especially with Rush Limbaugh's colorful history of making controversial statements concerning people of color.

But what began as several pundits, sports columnists, and bloggers skewering Rush Limbaugh as a racist telling jokes at the expense of blacks and other minorities soon became an outcry amongst NFL ballplayers that they would not play for Rush Limbaugh if he buys an NFL team.

New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott told the New York Daily News that what Limbaugh had said about Donovan McNabb was "inappropriate and insensitive," adding that Limbaugh was a "jerk" and an "ass" and that he could not be bought.

Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN in 2003 after making the controversial comment: "Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. 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."

New York Giants defensive end Matthias Kiwanuka said that, as much as he would enjoy playing under his old coach, Steven Spagnuolo, in St. Louis, he would never play there if Rush Limbaugh owned the team. He said he would rather stay a free agent.

Adding to the controversy, Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, told Pro Football Talk (NBC) that he would not even consider voting for Rush Limbaugh's takeover of the Rams even if Limbaugh made a successful bid to buy the team. "I myself couldn't even think of voting for him," he said.

Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson petitioned NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Monday, asking that he block Rush Limbaugh's bid to own the St. Louis Rams.

Roger Goodell told the New York Times on Tuesday that, regarding Rush Limbaugh as a polarizing force, "I would not want to see those comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL -- absolutely not." He also said that comments like the McNabb quote did not "reflect accurately on the NFL or our players" and were "divisive."

Regardless, should he be stopped from owning an NFL franchise because he might be a racist? Some apparently think so.

I personally don’t feel like he should be stopped from an ethical standpoint but anyone with half a brain will clearly tell him thanks but no thanks if he made an offer. Who would want this man associated with their team? You would have to be a moron to want Rush Limbaugh anywhere near your team.

If players are saying they wouldn’t be part of your organization if you were associated with Limbaugh then clearly it isn’t a good idea.

I don’t think this whole Limbaugh story has a lot of staying power as he will quickly be shut down and everyone will move on. I do think it is important to know that players are aware of these sorts of situations and are standing up for what they believe in. It is nice to know that they aren’t just about collecting checks.

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Some Limbaugh Quotes:

"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."

"Minorities never do anything for which they have to apologize."

When speaking about Senator Barack Obama's qualifications for nomination, he said that it "goes back to the fact that nobody had the guts to stand up and say no to a black guy."

Limbaugh told his audience in August 2007 that Democrats could not wait to get out of Iraq and into Darfur. He continued: "There are two reasons. What color is the skin of the people in Darfur? It's black. And who do the Democrats really need to keep voting for them? If they lose a significant percentage of this voting bloc, they're in trouble."

"You just gotta be who you are, and I think it's time to get rid of this whole National Basketball Association. Call it the TBA, the Thug Basketball Association, and stop calling them teams. Call 'em gangs. You have the Laker Gang, you have the Heat Gang, you have a Timberwolf Gang, and let 'em strap up out there, and let 'em market their CDs. Instead of selling concessions, sell CDs out there at the concession stand."

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