TheLoop21.com

By: Devona Walker (Add to your loop)
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 07:56

Rush Limbaugh wants to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Let’s just first say this, Rush Limbaugh has no more business owning the St. Louis Rams than Don Imus has of coaching the Rutgers' women’s basketball team. Remember Imus' nappy-headed hoes remark?

Limbaugh says worse and on a nearly daily basis:

"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." – Rush Limbaugh.

"I mean, let's face it, we didn't have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: Slavery built the South. I'm not saying we should bring it back. I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark." – Rush Limbaugh

"The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies.” – Rush Limbaugh 

Back in 2003, Limbaugh was even canned by ESPN for his on-air racist ramblings. Remember the McNabb remarks?

"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,'' Limbaugh said. 

“You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray [the confessed assassin of Martin Luther King Jr.] We miss you, James. Godspeed.” –Rush Limbaugh

“Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?” – Rush Limbaugh.

“Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." – Rush Limbaugh said to an African American female caller.

“In Obama's America the white kids now get beat up with the Black kids cheering 'yeah, right on, right on, right on,” –Rush Limbaugh 

Limbaugh has no respect for Black men, Black athletes or Black people. The NFL is predominately made up of Black men. This narcissistic need he has to inject himself into the NFL, this sense of entitlement, is like some twisted plantation fantasy. He would be horrible for the game and a disaster for the St. Louis Rams.

The more talented players on the team will refuse to play for him. The Rams will be left with players who have no other options.

Or maybe Limbaugh will get what he appears to want: segregation?

Freedom of speech and the power of the almighty dollar

Limbaugh is free to say whatever he wants, no matter how vile. His particular brand of racism is quite profitable. But the NFL is not AM radio. It’s bad enough these athletes have to play on teams already owned by closeted and low-profile racists, without throwing this moron into the mix. 

This will send a very real message to players: The league couldn't care less about you. Your opinions don’t matter. Just shut up, play the game and take the money the man pays you. 

Fortunately, some players have already stood up to Limbaugh and the league. New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott, both said they'd never play for a team owned by Limbaugh.

"I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play," Kiwanuka said.

“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 asshole. 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.”

But ultimately, it is not their responsibility. They should not be forced to choose between playing the game or working for a racist. The league should show more respect for their players. It should show more respect for its fans. It should show more respect for its history. We’re talking about Rush Limbaugh for Christ's sake.  

Devona Walker is TheLoop21.com's senior financial/political reporter and blogger. She can be reached at devona@theloop21.com.

Will Plaxico Burress get signed to another NFL team after shooting himself?

Yes, he's a great player

No, he ruined his reputation

Depends on how the case goes

I don't know