Black players don’t want Rush Limbaugh in the NFL

Rush Limbaugh is looking to secure a new title of his own: Owner of the St. Louis Rams. Problem with that? A bunch of the league’s players (mostly black) want nothing to do with the guy.

The radio host, who earns many millions every year with Republican politicking, offends many with his conservative political commentary (which is often viewed to traffic racism, homophobia, and sexism), is working out a possible purchase of the St Louis Rams NFL team, teaming up with former Knicks president and Madison Square Garden CEO Dave Checketts and a few others.

Here’s one of Rush’s mildly offensive quotes pulled directly from his site:

“Obama’s America, white kids getting beat up on school buses now.  You put your kids on a school bus, you expect safety but in Obama’s America the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering, “Yay, right on, right on, right on, right on,” and, of course, everybody says the white kid deserved it, he was born a racist, he’s white.”

Limbaugh’s many anti-black comments, including the one that got him axed from ESPN in 2003, when he said the media were “very desirous that a black quarterback do well,” indirectly referring to Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb.

“NY Jets linebacker Bart Scott [black player] says players remember what Limbaugh said, and adds that the NFL would be wise not to allow the nationally syndicated host into the league. “It’s an oxymoron that he criticized Donovan McNabb,” Scott said. “A lot of us took it as more of a racial-type thing. I can only imagine how his players would feel. I know I wouldn’t want to play for him. He’s a jerk. He’s an —. What he said (about McNabb) was inappropriate and insensitive, totally off-base. 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.”

Players aren’t the only ones who believe he should not be an owner. This list also includes people such as NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith and civil rights activists Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith on Saturday made a move to solidify the union against a bid by conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh as part of a group that aims to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

Here is an excerpt of his emailed plea:

“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.”

“I have asked our players to embrace their roles not only in the game of football but also as players and partners in the business of the NFL,” said Smith in the e-mail. “They risk everything to play this game, they understand that risk and they live with that risk and its consequences for the rest of their life. We also know that there is an ugly part of history and we will not risk going backwards, giving up, giving in or lying down to it.

“Our men are strong and proud sons, fathers, spouses and I am proud when they stand up, understand this is their profession and speak with candor and blunt honesty about how they feel.”

- DeMaurice Smith, in e-mail to union’s executive committee

Then, there are others who feel that Limbaugh should show his worth in such an arena such as owning a sports team.  Yesterday on CNN, hall of fame running back formerly of the Miami Dolphins Mercury Morris (black player), was one of those individuals who appeared to defend Limbaugh.

Many conservatives are claiming “double standards” while others are citing statements made by Limbaugh to justify his exclusion to the Big Leagues.  Then, there are some pundits who feel that the entire controversy is just a Limbaugh publicity stunt as he fights for the voice of the conservative movement.

Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts are among six potential ownership groups that have discussed buying the Rams. League sources say the current sale price has ranged from $700-to-$750 million

sources: ESPN, Bayou Buzz, queerty,com

Check out ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption’s” hosts Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon’s take on the issue

And here famous sports columnist Stephen A Smith defends Limbaugh’s efforts

Its sad that both commentator groups said the protests won’t matter, money is more important. What do you think?

What do you think?