The Reverend Al Sharpton has a reputation for sticking his nose in places it doesn’t belong, and raising racial issues where they may or may not be warranted, just to see his name in the papers again.
The NFL is no stranger to Sharpton, who has been critical of hiring practices for coaches, assistant coaches and general managers in the past.
Now, Sharpton is targeting another level of the NFL–ownership. And he isn’t just claiming racism–he’s declaring that a potential owner is…”Anti-NFL?”
News broke last week that Rush Limbaugh was part of an ownership group that is attempting to purchase the St. Louis Rams. There’s no word yet on what percentage of the team Limbaugh would own, or what type of role he would play in day to day business, although one would suspect his role would be minor, since he’s got to grace us all with his golden pipes for 3 hours a day.
However, a few years back, while doing a stint with the geniuses over at ESPN, Limbaugh made an accusation that had racial overtones, claiming that Donovan McNabb was overrated, due to the media (and league’s) hope that a black quarterback succeed in the NFL:
“Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go,” 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.”
For presumably this reason, Sharpton sent the NFL a letter asking Commissioner Roger Goodell to not even consider Limbaugh’s bid, as Sharpton claims that “Limbaugh has been “anti-NFL” in his comments about several of the league’s players, specifically naming Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick.”
So now Sharpton knows better than the commissioner, the other owners, the players and the fans of the NFL what is “Pro-NFL” and what is “Anti-NFL.” Never mind that one owner is making claims that the salary cap and revenue sharing (generally considered “Pro-NFL” by most people I know) will be going away, and another owner (who happens to have a long history of suing the league) has made so many questionable moves in the last 2+ seasons that the NFL should strongly consider intervening on his behalf.
Not that I’m pro-Limbaugh getting an ownership stake, mind you–I just think that if they dig hard enough, they’ll find other, legitimate reasons to possibly weed him out. And if not, well then so be it–if they want to give him a seat at the table, that’s their prerogative.
Sharpton should really go back to…whatever it is that he does outside of try to incite racial riots, and leave NFL business decisions to those who are actually in charge of the NFL. They have plenty of experience(and potential for) screwing things up on their own, without his help.
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Thank you for addressing this situation. A good write up.
If you listen to Rush like I have for 20 years you know he doesn’t make racist statements. Has he made provacative comments , yes. He’s a Radio talk entertainer who talks 3 hours a day in favor of conservative politics in a politically charged country.
How long could he be on the radio if he was a racist? I wouldn’t listen to him and neither would millions of his listeners. And if you think different than it shows a sorry view of your fellow man, and this country is even more divided than I imagined. This is America with free speech that’s getting less free every day along with everything else.
It’s rediculous that same cast of SORRY characters (Sharpton) can keep crying racism and using double standards to knock down Conservatives in America. There’s no problem with JZ owning the Nets and trashing White America or any number of black people making the same sort of inflamatory comments. Or Mark Cuban telling a player’s Mom her son is a thug also saying Liberal anti-American rhetoric.
Rush Limbaugh truly loves the NFL going around the country watching games, and wouldn’t of even been involved in the business of operating of the team. It was basically an investment. Just taking his money like J-Lo, Mark Anthony and the William’s Sisters who get root for their team. We had a US Congress woman speaking out against him and another saying Rush wanted to be a plantation owner watching over his black slaves. Oh, well we can’t have that. Who knew? LOL!! Idiots!!!
You know what they that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”. That means that if you bitch loud enough, you’ll eventually get your way. At some point someone needs to quit rewarding the babies. Rush is going to start by suing their ass off!! Every media outlet that portrayed him as a Racist with no proof will be less some dough. Someone said he should turn around and give his winnings to a black charity. They’d still figure out a way to make him the devil.
None of these critics even listen to him just like FOX TV they want to keep repeating ignorant bull. Ignorance is becoming rampant in the country. Hell we even have a President whining and targeting a TV network with critism. Presidents have always been above that. He only adds to the thin skin of many Americans. There’s nothing wrong with taking the high road and holding your powder.
Great points there Tony P. I’m 18 years old(if you didn’t know, which you probably didn’t) But anyway, Al Sharpton always thinks everything is about racism. He tries to find racism in every single situation. To be honest, it makes me sick. I watch Glen Beck and Bill O’Reilly about 3 times a week(Because I have school), and they seem to make sense to me….I don’t know what this country is coming to anymore to be honest.
Good. Glad you’re hearing something other the left leaning media that dominates the airwaves.
Vote for Christie for Govenor if you agree. Even if you’re not a “Republican” there needs to be a strong message sent at this time that there will be consequences to the ruling Party for moving America in the direction of far left zealots like Pelosi, Reid, and President Obama.
The situation is bad. I don’t know how so many of Dems in the House got to be so far left leaning. The amount doesn’t seem to be representative of the many moderate Democrats in this country. I believe about 23% of the Country or less identify themselves as Far Left but of the 200 or so Dems in the House about 75% vote as Liberals.
Not good for America!!