Rush Limbaugh has been silenced in a preemptive strike by NFL powers-that-be.
Well, we could all see this coming: Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams. Although the conservative radio talk-show host was going to be only a limited partner in a bid led by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts, the group will proceed without him after it was determined that Limbaugh's participation had "complicated" their efforts. You think?!?
Believe me, I'm no fan of Rush or his politics. But I can't help but wonder whether he has been treated unfairly in this case.
C'mon, we all know there was never the slightest chance that the ultra-image-conscious NFL was going to let this fly. Never mind that the majority of NFL owners probably are in lock-step with Limbaugh's political views. They didn't need the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to tell them that from a P.R. standpoint, this was a very bad idea. If there's anything the NFL knows how to do, it's make money. And the owners are smart enough to know that the parade of protests, boycotts and controversy that Limbaugh would provoke didn't bode well for the bottom line.
Still, should the political views of potential minority owners (as a limited partner, Limbaugh would have had no say in running the team) be relevant in a group's bid to purchase an NFL franchise? Besides, Limbaugh isn't a politician -- he's an entertainer. Even if you vehemently disagree with his stated viewpoints, you can't deny that he is a captivating radio personality. Rush's job is to have an opinion and provoke a response, and he does it exceedingly well. Who knows whether he actually believes half of what he says? And should a few remarks he made while performing on TV or radio be enough to disqualify him from team ownership? Apparently yes, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here," Goodell said Tuesday. "I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about. I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position within the NFL. No. Absolutely not."
OK, Roger, it's your ballgame and you make the rules -- that is, once Limbaugh becomes an owner. Crack down on him all you like once he is a dues-paying member of your fraternity (much like Major League Baseball did with former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott). But should Limbaugh be barred from a limited role in the Rams' bid because of comments that, again, were made in the context of radio and TV work in which his job is to say things that are controversial?
The fact that this hot-button issue has caught fire in the blogosphere attests to Limbaugh's popularity (or infamy, if you prefer). So we here at FCP can't just let it pass by. What's your take: Am I off base to think that, like him or loathe him, Rush is getting a bum deal? Or did the NFL do the right thing by making it abundantly clear that Limbaugh deserves to get the bum's Rush for his divisive and polarizing comments?
Rush is a pill poppin kook...I'll bet Rush does Rush...remember that stuff?
He definitely should by barred from Costa Rica, Viagra, and teenage houseboys.....
He got fired from the NFL for making insensitive comments so it's only expected that he would further be barred from the NFL. He hasn't been contrite since then and the NFL is sensitive to making decisions based on pleasing the masses. Look at the sponsors who pulled out of Glen Beck's show after he made comments depicting the president as a racist. He doesn't seem to like black people in general. Would future free agents want to help line the pockets of someone who directly don't like them just because of their race? If the Klan owned anything ,outright, it would not make money from minorities. Or people sensitive to minorities' plight. Who knows if the head of some businesses are racists. If it was known, the business most likely would not flourish. You have to keep hate to yourself. You can not make a career downing any race, creed or religion. Not in this day and age. Everything comes down to money. Either you can make "some" money by pandering to like-minded people or a "lot" of money pandering to everyone.
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here,"
You tell him, Roger.
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here,"
That's right!
I, for one, refuse to smoke pot for any team that he holds an ownership position with.
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here,"
Yeah Ricky, I'm with you!
When my suspension is over with, I don't want to play for him either.
(unless of course, he's the only one to offer me a contract)
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here,"
We can't speak for the Crips, but our guys don't like being compared to football players.
It's an insult.
"I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here,"
I didn't see anything.
just think of all the pigs who own teams in the majority....just because they are not 'outspoken'. There are several injustices done
to people everyday, this is hardly a tough one to take. However , I would just like to point out that one of the toughest things we have
to stomach,literally, is the Kraft Family. They cheat at pizza,and they cheat at football. More disappointingly, the cheating at pizza-or
sauce pie-as it should be called, has caused the demise of frozen
pizza every where. More cheese, less sauce. Stop cheating on pizza now!
I don't get it.
So what if he's a conservative talk show host? Does he have the money to make the deal?
I am no fan of his, or his views or his politics. But this was an over-reaction. Money is money.
It's fairly obvious that the paying customers (fans) loathe Rush so much that they created this huge public outcry against him. Fair or not, it's business. The paying customers actually united in their protest of Rush. That should speak volumes. There was more backlash for Rush then Michael Vick being reinstated.
Rush has no one to blame but himself. He chose to become a polarizing figure on purpose to make a living and he should be prepared for the backlash that came from it. I don't feel bad for Rush at all. In the court of public opinion involving a jury of decision makers, he lost. Same with Mark Cuban and the baseball ownership. Cuban wanted to become owner of the Cubs but was rejected by the other owners. Wasn't fair, but it was business.
NFL is a league of tolerance, but even they have a threshold. Rush in his normal selfish manner chose to put the NFL in a position of division. I think he calculated this move ever since he got fired for those comments about McNabb.
Now people who think black folks get a pass in America (that's the new reverse racism cry) have brought up every name they can think of. And its divided folks again. And that is the EVIL of Conservative politics and conservatives in general. They do all they can to keep folks divided. Every ounce of progress we have made in America - they fight and tear at the fabric of it. People generally really don't care about stuff like that, and then here they go bringing up the very thing they CLAIM they don't like to talk about. They CLAIM they hate Jesse and Al Sharpton, but they have made it so that its impossible for Jesse and Al to retire. Now Jesse and Al and Farrakhan and everyone that has a voice for the black community will be FORCED to speak out. Why? Because Rush wants to be able to insult black people - and then be their bosses. He is tainting the sport because they refused to let him insult 65% of their players without repercussions.
Bubba's Mom, in a sense you are absolutely correct GREEN is the only color that really matters in America. Red White and Blue = GREEN, make no bones about that. And almost anyone will sell out for money. But there are rare occasions when money covered in blood make people (most) remember who they really are and we rally around our core principles.
I believe the NFL is reacting to the money they would lose. They took great risks with folks like Vick, but this is where they draw the line. They believe in 2nd chances for convicts and tainted players, but sober minded people who intentionally and openly HATE other people for no real reason - is NOT WELCOME. Republican division and hatred disguised in the cute word "conservative". America has REJECTED YOU as a whole. And we must continue. We may not agree about everything and on every issue, but we must put aside those differences and unite and fight this disease that threatens our way of life. Rush Limbaugh is a wind from the past.
"He got fired from the NFL for making insensitive comments so it's only expected that he would further be barred from the NFL"
Not true - he resigned after the usual suspects said his comments about the press' treatment of mcnabb were racist. Specifically...
He said, McNabb is "overrated ... what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. There's a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."
Mind you he didn't say they should, shouldn't treat him differently - he said the media was, in his opinion, treating him differently because of his skin color. No different than Shaq's comments about Steve Nash - which WERE every bit his right. I don't remember Shaq getting fined or suspended.
How is that racist...no idea.
He bashes the league on a regular basis so what made him believe that he would be welcomed into the club?
Now he can claim that he is being treated unfairly and eventually say that it is because Obama is president that a white guy like him cannot get a fair opportunity even if he has lots of money.
He will play the victim and his “fans” will eat it up.
He complained that some of the comments that he was quoted as being his own were not true and is demanding an apology.
That is funny coming from a guy who makes a very good living from twisting the facts and throwing out falsehoods on a regular basis.
It is all about publicity and he is getting just what he wanted.
tHE NFL IS REPRESENTATIVE OF ONE OF THE MOST CAPITOLISTIC ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. THEY WILL EXPLOIT THE RACES FOR THEIR BENEFIT. Their racist supporters are nothing but cheap no-mind gossips. When they can't back up their claims with factual evidence they, like so much of the media are no more than GOSSIPS. They have contributed enormously to the denigration of all races. I was a regular viewer on week-ends. NO MORE!
Rush Limbaugh means little to my political persuation. N.F.L has definitely influenced my perception of football athletes.
THE N.F.L. IS RACIST!!!!!!!
I could talk about his right to buy in America. I could make a case that he is being treated unfairly by the NFL.
But Sunday morning would I want to be thinking about all the crap that has come out of that jerks mouth? NO.
We need some time away from the crap. Football gives that to us. It is, simple move the ball up the field and score. No convoluted corporate polictal angry outraged coersive etc..................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No I do not want that crap anywhere near my Sunday morning.
This was absolutely a justified move.
While I will not call him an outright racist, Rush Limbaugh has made a living attacking and mocking African Americans. One needs only to look at sites like MediaMatters.org to find the ACTUAL CLIPS of various offensive statements he has made over the years.
Why should that matter? The league is over seventy-five percent African American. And as some players stated, but as many others were thinking, black players, and frankly, many white players wanted nothing to do with a Rush Limbaugh owned team. And as the process went further, you would have heard more dissent.
Not from Al Sharpton. Not from Jesse Jackson. From actual employees of the National Football League, and from fans.
This is not censoring Limbaugh. Limbaugh will still have his show.
If anything, it is an example of how free speech is SUPPOSE to work.
Because of his rhetoric, people SPOKE OUT against his bid. They fought speech with speech.
In the end, the ownership group felt that, because of the outcries against Limbaugh, that it was best to let him go.
That's how things are suppose to work. And Limbaugh only has himself to blame for this situation.
Sorry, but African Americans and other people opposed to Rush's racial rhetoric are not going to sit back and say nothing.
And we have every right to voice our opinions, just like Rush.
In the end, this is a victory for free speech.
Yo Rush!
I've been going through a dry spell here, and was wondering if you could make it rain for me in St Louis?
I'll hook you up at the club.
I'll be playing again before Rush ever owns part of any team. The NFL doesn't need criminals like him in the league.
You're right he didn't get fired from the NFL. He resigned from ESPN. I read that a little later and it was too late to change my entry. Either way the NFL basically forced it to happen. ESPN cares what the NFL thinks. Remember the ESPN TV show Playmakers? It was the highest rated show on cable for slow Tuesdays and Gatorade dropped it because the NFL forced all that to happen. It wasn't good for the NFL even though it never said it was about the NFL.
probably a good time for Michael J Fox to get an investor group together.....public opinion on his side....buy the Rams....move the team back to LA
I don't think I'm even a kidding a little bit..
Rush is a Costa Rican houseboy purchaser
...I've said this
and Costa Rican Houseboy Purchasers do not own teams in the NFL
Viagra, Oxyz, Coasta rican HOuseboys..Raaaams...ok, I can see where Rush would put his new tatooo...thanks stu
Lesson: In a perfect World MJ Fox would buy the Rams and take them back to LA...
"Let Them Eat Provel"
Rush's Politics should have nothing to do with this.
The fact that he is on the radio everyday saying inflammatory comments is a whole nother issue.
The players dont need to be asked in every interview, "did you hear what Rush said"
for that alone it would be a distraction.
I dont believe he is a racist however, just felt it was his job to stir up the pot and he spoke his mind, and the pot turns out, wasnt ready to be stirred.
If a liberal comedian made those same comments, it would be histyrical to the left. If John Stewart made those exact same comments....it is seen as pure hilarity!
We have many double edged swords in this country.
I don't feel he deserves a first chance, let alone a second.
Leonard:
Maybe Rush doesn't deserve a second chance, but you got one after killing somebody.
I fully realize that what Rush did was FAR worse than that, but I was thinking ... I'll only be 44 when I get out.
I show the absurd by being absurd , if you have not listened to me for 6 weeks you would not understand . So for those of you that think you know me but dont listen to me , YOU are IDIOTS ! The real problem here is Roger Goodell , this guy acts like an ego-maniac , with all the rules and fines , how you can and cant hit the QB , THE GAME I LOVE IS BEING RUINED by a leader who is more worried about image than substance , but i guess the left and Goodell have a lot in common !!!!!!!! I will be fine with my money but you as fans are getting a bad product and are sleeping through all the bad rulings , and you think I am the PROBLEM !!!!!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE
I'm such a beloved figure in America, it's all Obama's and "race hustlers" fault that I didn't get part ownership of the Rams!
Oh look, it's raining, darn that Obama, he can't do anything right!
I'm so fat, it's all Obama's fault I can't lose weight!
People who abuse drugs the way Limbaugh did should be taken out and shot. No place for them in the NFL.
If you ask us, Limbaugh's even lower than guys who beat up on defenseless women. He certainly doesn't belong in the NFL.
No second chances for Rush. The terrible things he said about Donovan are inexcusable!
How dare he state his personal opinion in a public forum? He should be banished from the face of the Earth.
Thank God for the Thought Police. It's the other police that give me promlems.
I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here. I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about.
What we're about is giving criminals a second chance. As an example; during the 2007 NFL season, 21 percent of our players had arrest records.
I believe we can do better than that. In the next collective bargaining agreement, we're going to shoot for an arrest record ratio of at least 25% ... minimum.
If Rush would like to try again in the future, a few more arrests and convictions would greatly improve his chances. He needs to fit in.
I have to take this call now from Dante Stallworth. I think I was a little hard on him. It's not like he said anything bad. I mean, he only killed somebody.
Who hasn't?
Later.
I have said many times before that we are held to a higher standard here. I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about.
What we're about is giving criminals a second chance. As an example; during the 2007 NFL season, 21 percent of our players had arrest records.
I believe we can do better than that. In the next collective bargaining agreement, we're going to shoot for an arrest record ratio of at least 25% ... minimum.
If Rush would like to try again in the future, a few more arrests and convictions would greatly improve his chances. He needs to fit in.
I have to take this call now from Dante Stallworth. I think I was a little hard on him. It's not like he said anything bad. I mean, he only killed somebody.
Who hasn't?
Later.
Memo: Fire the secretary who misspelled my name.
Owning a professional sports franchise is a privelege, not a right.
Imagine if a misogynistic, foul mouthed rapper who used lyrics filled with sex, violence, and drugs to sell records was somehow allowed to become part owner of an NBA team.
On second thought .......... nevermind.
Rush wrongly blamed the media for over hyping McNabb; who, as a result of this slanderous accusation, became so traumatized that he has been unable to win a Super Bowl. I'm thinking about representing him in a lawsuit against Limbaugh.
I talked to Tawana last night, and she too can't believe anyone would make such outrageous accusations.
Jesse also called me to express his anger. He wondered if Rush would have dared to express the same opinion if the player had been named Hymie.
And don't even get me started on Imus.
People with criminal records should not be allowed to profit in the world of professional sports. Limbaugh makes me so mad, I wanna bite his ear off, and eat it with some fava beans, and a nice glass of chianti.
Lucky for him that he's not my type. Otherwise, I'd rape him too.
As the play by play announcer on Westwood One's Monday Night Football, I have no desire whatsoever to cover any St. Louis games if Limbaugh is included in the ownership group.
That thoroughly reprehensible excuse for a human being doesn't deserve a second chance, or even the benefit of the doubt.
I'd like to stuff my toupee in his big mouth, pull a pair of pink panties over his head, and kick him, and scratch him, and bite him on the buttocks.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
If Limbaugh ever became part owner of the Rams, his influence would no doubt have a negative impact on the entire team.
If you think they're bad now, I'm guessing that they'd go 0-16 with Rush in the front office.
Some of my best friends ... are diamond merchants from New York.
Hey Jesse...what town are they from?
Love the posts from Vick, Tank, Plax, JayZ, Ray, Rod, Pacman, Marv, Millen...et all.
Way to put this in perspective.
Suddenly...when you look at the behavior that has been allowed in the NFL and the second and 3rd and 4th chances for some of these guys, some of them being accused murderers, vehicular homiciders, dog, drug and gun abusers, knuckle heads, etc.etc. If I were a Crip or a blood, I would be offended too!
B)
I hear that Limbaugh went on a diet, and pitched his fridge.
Hahahahahah ... now where does he go to the bathroom?
We can't let a loon like him into the inner sanctum of the War Room.
He'll see the Big Board!!!
*ummmmmm ... I wonder what's in this Tupperware*
I used to be a Republican in spite of my lower middle class upbringing (we lived paycheck to paycheck) and union people living all around our house (hey, my folks made me watch John Wayne movies and I grew to appreciate the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality), but I'm now fiercely independent. Rush Limbaugh and other blinded, simpleton blowhards are a huge reason why I left (although there are idiots on both sides). Another main reason I left is that our imperfect (on both sides) and greedy (mostly on the right) world can't support those in institutionalized poverty. If our world were perfect, there were no racism, and almost all were other-oriented human beings, I would subject myself to a Republican-based value system.
By the way, I think each party survives by "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" dogma and is another main reason why I'm independent to the death.
If we let people like Rush into the league, the American public will never be able to trust ownership again.
A sneaky slug like Limbaugh just might pack the Rams up in the middle of the night, and move the team to L.A.
My father's spinning in his grave.
Look ... this thing about derilect and delinquent NFL players has been blown entirely out of proportion.
Fine citizens like these can't be expected to work for a total perv like Rush.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/arrests.html
My nose is running again. Anybody got a Kleenex?
Blah blah blah.
It's getting old bro.
"It's getting old bro."
Only if it rubs you the wrong way, or strikes a nerve.
I heard a great line today...
"The left is based on the industrialization of victemhood"
think about that...
There whole existence is based on the NEED for a victem class. They need labels, the need to break people up into socio-economic and racial lines. They need to race bate and create a sense of divisiveness or...they are out of business.
Scary thought!
not only that culzie, but it's also the group that pays, by some estimates, 70%+ of the taxes in this country...
Here is a conundrum...
If your job is to help victims..
and then you actually succeed...and help everyone...
what happens to your job?