Commentary: Rush and the NFL

Gotta say, You hit the nail directly on the head and drove it all of the way in!

This just shows how bad you and CNN are at reporting!!!! This quote from Rush has already been proven fabricated and false! Where did you get this quote from, Wickipedia? Great reporting! You and all the other Republican haters will do anything you can to smear anyone that does not agree with your left leaning agenda. I guess it doesn't matter anyway the smear has been done, I do not think you are man enough to admit that this quote was false and that you did ZERO fact checking to get your information. Shame on you and your "news" company.

dude is right,money talks in the jobmarket today. so what if he is backwoods minded,he is old wont last to much longer.
he is still.........american.......spending $$$$$ in america.....to americans.....

I have to agree that the players have every right to express thier opinion. And Rush L. can explain that his comments were entertainment and not an indication of deeper feelings – he has every right to say what he wants. But he does not have to be rewarded for them – it is bad enough that he has made millions in profits making these sorts of infammatory remarks he should not be rewarded with a NFL team. It is unfortunate that many players in the past have not stood up to this sort of racism and disrespect. I do not see an upside the NFL letting Limbaugh buy the team. It is polarizing for the fans and it would show a lack of respect for the players.

Why should you campaign for Rush to have his show removed from the airwaves? Has he lost the freedom of speech just because you disagree with him? Maybe since I disagree with you CNN should remove you from their web site. Oh wait, you are just falling in line with the Obama movement to silence the opposition.

what, precisely, has Rush Limbaugh said that is offensive to Stephen A. Smith? He is such a hot head anyway, and clearly doesn't think a whole lot before he speaks.

Campbell – you CLEARLY should have asked all participants (Steve, James Carville and the sports lawyer) what, specifically, has Rush Limbaugh said that is so offensive that he should be able to buy an NFL franchise? Given the fact that you didn't do it speaks volumes.

This is America people can say what they want right are wrong that's why we live here if he's got the money to buy the team I see nothing wrong with it

excellent, i didn't even think of it in that way

Limbaugh is full so full of baloney that I can't see how anyone with any intelligence would give him platform from which to speak. I can't stand to listen to him for even one sentence. Run a football team? – he would try to find fault with God.

Limbaugh is a hypocrite~~ why in the world would he want to be associated in any way with "Bloods and Crips" (his own view of nfl players).

God bless Rush anyway.... poor lost soul...

I do think it's important for him to make himself palatable to players and also reconcile his difference with players community. Especially because he made statement like "Slavery had its merits." There are only few players make it to NFL out of thousands of players. Everyone knows that those players have access to lawyer, agents and NFL player league to deal with owner. Still an owner's image matter to attract talents and have player's full commitment. What would be point of him being the owner of a NFL team if he can't attract talents? Of course he should be allowed to own a team just like anyone else. That's not the point.

Why are all the anti-Rush people upset? Shouldnt the fact he's buying the worst team in football be punishment enough?

Cite your work, Stephen A., on the "slavery" quote. It seems to be repeated everywhere, but no one can cite on what day it was said, nor can produce the audio. Rather than parroting the sloppy journalism of everyone else, do some legwork.

Do you believe in reporting factual quotations (regarding quotations supposedly made by Mr Lim)? Very unprofessional self serving journalism. If you can reproduce a page in a book, video or audio tape where these racists accusations can be verified, why haven't we seen them? and you call yourselves journalists.

This is a travesty when you can misquote or in this case, quote fabricated quotes that where never uttered by Rush. Do you honestly think if Rush had said these things in 1998 that they wouldn't be public knowledge until today. The media is a disgrace in their shabby reporting. Rush would make a great PART owner of an NFL team, no doubt about it.

What is racist about comparing the NFL to Crips and Bloods? To me, it's quite obvious that Rush is saying NFL players are constantly in trouble. I'm not sure where race comes in. If you are saying that only blacks are in gangs....then you......are racist.

Since when do NFL players have the authority to remove anyone's program from the airwaves? I must have missed that little bit of legislative legerdemain.

I view the article by Stepen A a little different than most. Sure I am not a Rush Limbaugh fan but why can't he pursue ownership of a NFL team? Just like Mark Cuban in baseball, owners and the NFL have the right to accept or deny his bid to be an owner. He is very wealthy and if he wants to spend his money on the Rams, so be it. That said, all athletes, not just black athletes need to stand up for what is right and just, but not when it is convenient for them. The comments made by Limbaugh were years ago and he subsiquently stepped down from his role. Athletes were happy about it but now that he wants to poke his nose back in the game, they have continuing opinions? Oh, how convenient once again. In addition, minority owners in professional sports teams usually have very little say in what happens with the overall game. Dave Checketts would be the voice of the club for the league. It is time for all athletes to put their money where their mouth is. If you are so against it then reject the contract the Rams give you when it is the biggest on the market.

I know Mr. Smith is trying to make a point here, but for the life of me I can't tell what it is. Here's the Reader's Digest condensed version of this piece:

"I'm mad, about something, good luck figuring out what."

Journalistic integrity is in the crapper. All of Rush Limbaugh's shows have been publicly broadcast and via publicly available archives, available after the fact. Show us the audio clips (yes, with context) or stop spreading lies and distortions. Completely rehensible.

Remember when the Dixie Chicks dared to criticize the president?

As the right wing was smashing their CDs and making death threats, their standard response was "sure you have the right to free speech, but you have be prepared to deal with consequences"

Well maybe its time the chickens come home to roost. Rush has made millions out of playing people for fools and having them buy into his outrageos statements. He had every right to do so, but he too must deal with the consequences.

Good post. Reminds me of this joke that Charles Barkley used to tell.
He told his family that he was going to vote for Bush I and they all started complaining saying he couldn't vote for Bush because Bush was for the Rich. Then Barkley reminded them that hey he was rich.

The reason you don't see many players getting involved politically like maybe some of them did and the list you gave is pretty small is that economically they're much better off.

So, lets look at it this way. Most NFL players are rich most are black as well. Rush is rich but white. Rush champions the rich. Favors lower taxes especially for the rich. So why let a little racism get in the way.
Of maybe being able to keep more of your money.

Give Rush a shot. Albiet a shot in the real world with no caller screeners and no wingnuts who fawn all over his pontification. It will end just as his TV show and his sports casting career. Failure.

Rush did not refer to Crips and the Bloods and did not say that slavery "had its merits." That is now an urban legend that has ripped through the news channels. I wish you would do your homework, rather than rely on rumors.

Remember folks, every owner in the NFL has to approve the sale of the Rams to a new buyer. If the perception of the owners is that the new buyer will be detrimental to the league as a whole... no sale. There are very, very powerful people in the NFL... if the NFL wants Limbaugh out, he has no chance of getting in. Also, on the slim chance he does get in, he will be THE most meddlesome owner of all time... worse than Jerry Jones, and yes... worse than George Steinbrenner. Football players will put up with Jones to play for the Cowboys because they are the marquis team in the NFL. Baseball players will put up with Steinbrenner to play for the Yankees because they are the marquis team in the universe, and they play in the biggest sports/media market in the universe. The Rams... owned by Limbaugh... in St. Louis... I dont think so...

Stephen Colbert should buy the Jets and then they could do battle. Just two ultra-conservative neo-con wackos going for the glory. Maybe elections could be decided this way. After all, running a successful team should lend itself to running a successful country right? Really though, this is a very good thing. The more time Rush is playing owner, the less time he is polluting the minds of his afflicted listeners. Rush, I sentence you to.. The Rams. Now pay-up sucka!

They should give Rush a Nobel Peace Prize, he deserves it.

Once again all you Rush-haters just fall right into the palm of Limbaugh's hand. The more he is bashed, the greater his listening audience becomes. It's amazing how much free advertising you all give him!

Matthew, you are incorrect. Limbaugh made the Blood and Crips statement on a show back in January 2007. Where did you do your research? Where was it proven that this statement was false? Limbaugh makes his money by being divisive, pure, plain and simple. The NFL is one of the best examples we have of where divisiveness is not tolerated nor allowed. His ownership of an NFL team would be a joke and not a funny one at that.

Steven, Steven. You too with the "merits" quote? What's wrong with you? You are smart enough and interesting enough to not rely on made up quotes. Doesn't CNN, Foxsports, anybody do a fact check anymore? Horrible, and you should be embarrassed. Just disgusting.

It doesn't help the conversation, CNN or Stephen A Smith to attribute racist quotes to Rush Limbaugh that he never made. Some fact checking may be in order here. And making comments like ..."speak out about something important to their people" in reference to african-american players just emphasizes Mr. Smith's bias. If we're trying to acheive a post-racial world, phrases like "their people" sounds every bit as biased, maybe even racist, as Rush supposed comments. Mr Limbaugh, as all of us, have the right to free speech, to express his opinions and thoughts. Discuss them (honestly) disagree with them, whatever. But whatever he did (or didn't) say shouldn't prohibited him from partial ownership of an NFL franchise because of it.

If Rush want to be part-owner of an NFL franchise, and if he has the money, let him. Rush can recruit right-wing conservatives and call the team the LA. Conservatives.

matthew gilmore obsession with the fact that he miss-quoted Limbaugh and glossed over the fact that the article is about Limbaugh's RIGHT to be able to own a team even if he makes inflammatory statements...typical republican....miss the entire message and focus on the small things that have no meaning

Rush being part owner of a football team will make the team PLAY HARDER.... just as his radio show makes a person LISTEN HARDER. It's all good. C'mon people!!!

I am a democrat to the core and believe in the Democratic philosophy of tolerance and social reform. This taking on Rush Limbaugh and trying to prevent him from obtaining a Football team or run his mouth on the air is beneath the Democratic party. It brings you down to the same level as him. You want to stop someone like Limbaugh you ignore him. Bringing anger against his words just adds more fuel to his fire, and gives him greater power.

When will we learn that being for something noble is far more powerful than being against something dishonorable. You don't like Limbaugh and what he has to say then start a movement that is for the very things he is against, you will win everytime.

There should be one condition to Rush Limbaugh's purchase of the Rams: He must return all kickoffs himself.

Let him buy the Redskins. Anything to get Daniel Snyder's mitts off that team. Plus, the annual brouhaha about the "cultural insensitivity" of the team's name would get another fun dimension.

In America Rush has the right to exprees his opinion-as long as
it is not slanderous or libelous–for which he can be sued

The NFL also has the freedom in America to accept or reject anyone
for any reason if they feel that his ownership can be negative to the
NFL for any reason.

Freeedom of expression works both ways.

Bill

I totally agree with Dan...why would you remove Rush's show because you disagree with his comments? Isn't this America? And why do other people believe they have the right to keep Rush from buying the team? If you ever make a million dollars, do you you want people telling you what you can and cannot buy based on whether or not they like your viewpoints?

Lastly, how many people who "disagree" with what he said even know the context in which he said it?

Steven A., you have hit the mark. I don't always agree with you - and I never agree with Rush - but if anyone has a problem with Rush, then deal with it 24/7 not just when you're worried about having to work for the bigot.

I have to say, I read some of the comments and wondered if they read the same story as I did. It sounded like this guy doesn't care if Rush buys the team. I for one, don't care...I don't think politics should mix with the league but I don't think Limbaugh is trying to buy the team because he wants to exert his political influence on the team. To me it seems like he loves football, like I do, and has the money to buy part of the team, so he wants to do that. I DON'T believe his move was a political chess move.

For those of you who think this was a slam against Rush, perhaps you should read the article again. Look specfically for the line that says, "This is America. Limbaugh has earned his money legally. If his pockets are deep enough, he should go after it."

Get a clue guys!

He can does have the right to say whatever he wants. He also has the right to suffer the consequences of what he speaks. He is a moron, that alone should preclude his owning a team.

NFL players now have voice and they are speaking out. In the pass they did not, NFL players are very intelligent men. Don't take them for granted.
There is no place for racist remarks in the NFL by owners or coaches

Dan, I don't think that's the point Steven A. was trying to make. The ONLY way Rush would go off the air is if there was widespread lobbying and $$$ floating out the door. But I know that Rush, as much as I despise him, is crafty and rich for a reason - b/c he knows how to play the game, too.

@Pthomas:

Rush is not being rewarded. He, along with his business partners, are interested in making a purchase.

As for whether or not you see an upside to owning the team, who cares? The only people who have a direct say are the other owners and Roger Goodell, as I recall. Denying his bid purely on the basis of his remarks adds an ideological component to what ought to be a financial transaction.

If he and his partners can provide for the team, then so be it. It's not like he'll be up at Rams press conferences railing against Obama or anything like that. Cut the paranoid hatred for Rush and look at it logically. I'll be here if you need help doing so.

I hope you all have Boss Limbaugh approval for commenting. I am a faithful listener to Boss Limbaugh, he is stupid but funny. Boss Limbaugh does not like it when there are negative thoughts among his flock.

There is no way in hell that Boss Limbaugh should be connected to the NFL. He did say that the NFL is "the Blood and the Crips just without weapons". Of course Boss Limbaugh would like the locker room scene. It might make the player uncomfortable though.

Rush should be able to pursue ownership of an NFL Team. Once he does own a team, if he continues to make these types of remarks, his employees (NFL players) will have a field day with his discriminatory language. So go ahead, rush, buy a team. It will be entertaining to see how long before you are sued for just expressing your opinion.

I think Libaugh is trying to Rush into something else so he can hide his pathetic comments about the Progressive Democrats.

For those of you that are bashing Mr. Smith, maybe you should try actually reading the article. He states that he is not against Limbaugh owning a team.
My question is, will he have players that will be willing to play for him?

Rush is a NFL fan just like you and I and If he has the money let him buy and put his furtune in franchising a team..... This is Amercia have you people forgotten??? There are lot of figures out there, that we might not agree with So! Get over it. He knows football and who knows he might help the Rams .

Yet another example of a first class smear job of yet another conservative backed up fradualent statements that have already been proven as not true. You guys are pathetic.

What a big waste of time, this whole thing about Limbaugh, wanting to buy into the NFL. Who really cares??? Let him buy into the NFL and then scratch his head, when nobody wants to play on his team. I see the Civil Rights dinosaurs, Sharpton and Jackson have chimed in on this and have said that because Limbaugh is "Divisive", that he should not be allowed to buy the St. Louis Rams. The meaning of someone being divisive, is to say they are causing dissension. Many of todays owners have or are causing dissension, now and in the past. Does that mean they can no longer own a team???? Surely we all must have better things to do, than to devote anymore time to this issue. I for one, am moving on to more important topics..

He has a right to buy the team, just like I have a right to not watch his team or purchase his team's merchandise, and free agents have a right to not sign with his team. Rush says outrageous things and he is allowed because his freedom of speech is his right. That doesn't mean there are no consequences, just no jail.

With the exception of the ‘his people’ comment (when referring to McNabb—he has people? Who are they?) and removing him from the airways (huh—do McNabb’s ‘people’ not like the First Amendment?), great commentary.

Remember Marge Schott? She was a despicable human being, but strangely still owned a professional club. Rush may be outlandish, but he’s a shadow of Schott.

please..this isnt news...its america..if he wants to buy a team let him. if the players dont like, they can play elsewhere. if the fans dont like it they wont attend. plain and simple.

No one has put LIMITS on Rush Limbaugh but Rush Limbaugh with his OWN MOUTH. You cannot go through life with hateful words and expect the world to except you with open arms. After all of the hateful comments he has made over the years and are still making – so what you have millions who listen to you everyday AND YES, THERE ARE OTHER MILLIONS HERE WHO ARE EDUCATED, AND SMART, AND LOVING, AND PATRIOTIC WHO THINK YOU ARE DISGUSTING RUSH LIMBAUGH. Know that people who have money and self respect and respect for others can purchase an NFL team with no problems.

"by having his radio show removed from the airwaves."

What??? Really?? Where do we live, where because something "politically incorrect" is uttered on a radio show it should then be banned from the airwaves?? I don't claim to be a Rush supporter, but the last I checked we do have freedom of speech. Oh yea, I forgot, that only applies when an "alternative" view point is put forth. I'll just speak for myself here, the day that a radio show (funded by the revenue it generates on its own, mind you) is removed from public airways because of unpopular opinion is a day that I will morn as an American citizen!

Way to go Stephen A.! What was it that Michael Jordan said years ago on professional athletes avoiding taking political stances: "Even Republicans buy Nikes." That spoke volumes on their focus on volumes rather than civic/political causes.

Well, he is right about money being all that matters to the people cashing the checks. And the reality is that if Americans didnt prefer giving money to the "lunatic fringe" he and Rush would both be poor.

Since the NFL is THE most Captialistic and yet the most socialistic corporation in the Country (arguably the world), I would like for someone to ask Mr. LImbaugh this simple question. If all Democrats/OBama are socialist (his opinion), then you must agree with some aspects of socialism? Otherwise, why try and be an owners?

If any athlete uttered some of the nonsense that Limbaugh has, they face discipline. The fact is players have been run out or nearly run out for their actions and statements, Ask Milton Bradley or Michael Vick. The fact is Rush makes his money by supporting a particulary element and promotes polarization. I think it is funny that the buyer of the Cubs needs approval of the owner, but Rush should not be subject to the same. Hmmm?

Unitl the NFL stops advertising and selling game boradcast to the stations that carry Rush, they have nothing to say. The NFL sponsers this clown buy giving these stations the money to support him. The NFL endorses this garbage by looking the other way and pretending they don know about it. These stations have every right to broadcast his hatespeach and there is always an idiot to listen, but they also should be reponsable about who they sell the gameboradcasts to.

And those of you posting defending Rush and talking about accuracy and honesty? I always assumed even his fans knew better, noone could really be that nieve.

I don't care for Limbaugh, but it's a free country. If he wants a football team and he has the money, let him buy it. If players don't want to be on his team cause they don't like him, great. They're free to play for another team.

The NFL and Rush Limbaugh simply do not mix - the only colors that matter during a football game are the colors of the team jerseys. I doubt that Limbaugh can get past that fact, regardless of the level of his involvement. He even sees money as black & white instead of simply green.

" 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 -

I say let the clown buy the team. If he alienates his players, the team will just lose games, fans, spectators, and ultimately, money. And I don't think he'll have anyone to bail him out when his team tanks, like they did for a certain owner of a baseball team years ago.

This is America. If Rush wants to own a team and he is denied the opportunity, he should sue. Personally, I hate the guy and sincerely believe he is insane. I also believe he is once again being a blow hard. He knows he doesn't have the money to buy a team. He just wants attention again. Over and over and over he wants attention and here we go giving it to him agaiin.

Money says everything. In America we have a word of Freedom of Speech right? then we have a right of say whatever we want it. That is way we have America today. If he got the money then he can buy the team. If you got money you talk. If you don't then shut up. period.

Rush Limbaugh represents the ugly of American history that this entire country seem to not want to deal with. When a person can be given a platform justify to millions of people that "slavery...has its merits" and those same millions buy it hook, line and sinker, that my friends speaks volumes about how far America has come as a country. Indeed, freedom of speech is a right given to all Americans and non-Americans alike, but enticing hate is definitely not. That message should be silenced just as the voices of the poor, hopeless, the meek have been silenced for far too long. Americans throughout our history have tauted ourselves morally above the fray. I beg to ask, where is our moral compass when we allow someone to spew such divisive, incindiary statements over the airwaves?

matt gilmore is correct. The quote should be, "Bloods and the Crips without any weapons" instead of "Bloods and the Crips without weapons"
The missing word says your research should be tighter. But the lack of that word doesn't mean the rest of matt's statement is correct. I found some sites that echoed his claims. None provided the correct quote, only that the given quote was not true. By one word that does nothing to alter the meaning of his statement.
And I say let him buy it. He deserves that team and besides; Mark Cuban owns a team in pro sports.

I am white and live in one of the most conservative communities in Montana. I have been a Rams fan since 1954 when I would listen to recreated games on the radio. I believe Rush Limbaugh is one of the most vile humans on the planet and I will burn every bit of Rams memrobilia that I have, if he buys the team. Limbaugh's hate that he spews forth daily would now get another forum just like when ESPN signed him. Limbaugh does it for the money, ABC-ESPN signed him for the money and if the players play for him they will also sell their souls for the money. It is the American way, if you are making money you become credible, no matter how you make it.

Where were these player 10 to 20 years ago. I don't know, but I'll tell you were they were not. They were not reading the newspaper or watching the evening news. This was basically the only way to information for the most part back then. So what does Stephen A. Smith do? He criticizes these athletes for speaking up. Shame on you, finally people are becoming involved and they have a point of view and your criticizing them? What should be criticized and filtered are the number of limited sources that spill this garbage, uh sorry "information" to people. Sources like blogs, 24 hour sports networks, talk shows, radio shows (AKA – Rush), and even postings (AKA – me).

This whole debate is obserd. Since when does anyone really care who signs their check, as long as it clears the bank. This thing comes down to one thing and that is money. If he has the money to buy an NFL team it should be sold to him. Notice I didn't use the word rewarded to him. He did not find a lost puppy, he has a legitamate interested in a 0 and 5 team as feels he can better them, end of story.

These players are hypocrotes, show me one who is willing to pack up their home and family to play somewhere else for less money because they are standing by their morals. Morals left professional sports along time ago and I'm so very tired of hearing opions from professional athletes, they're not paid to think and it's pretty apparent from the words coming from their mouths.

Steven A should be ashamed to write the man should have his show removed from the air waves. Aren't you a reporter Steven? Don't you of all people belive in the 1st amendment? If we truely want equality we should respect other peoples belifes and optionions even if we think they are wrong. If you liberals will let him have an NFL team maybe he'll stay away from the white house in 2012.

Limbaugh, as are others entitled to free speech, but if we remember the exception..you can not yell "fire" in a crowded theather. Limbaugh spreads half truths and flat out lies to his audience. I can not stand the man but listen to him from time to time, because his following is so large I feel the need to know what ridiculous ideas he is putting into the heads of his loyal fans.

As an entertainer, Rush Limbaugh is a provacateur who has cashed in successfully by exploiting his notoriety. As a human being, Limbaug is a walking turd. That said, how does either fact disqualify Limbaugh from purchasing an NFL team. If membership in the team owner's circle is open to people like Limbaugh, what does this say about the other team owners? The cost of entry to these august precincts is money not character. These guys are not known for being singularly wonderful human beings. Limbaugh's entry into the ranks of team ownership would give new meaning to the old line Woody Allan ascribes to Albert Einstein: "I could never join a club that would admit a person like me as a member."

Rush's must know that his investment in a NFL team is a risky venture. Why? Because his critics will now know where his money is invested, meaning that they can now attack him financially with tactics such as boycotts that will bring heat upon his partners, who, in turn, will bring heat upon him. Rush could be destroyed by the very thing that he loves so much–Capitalism.

Gillmore, this is a commentary piece, not a reporting piece. Therefore, it is subject to factual errors.

Can anyone cite the source of Rush's 'quotes' ? I would especially appreciate it if Mr. Smith could cite the source for the quotes which he published in his article.

The current NFL owners have a right to review & reject potential owners of any NFL team, if only to protect their investment in facilities, players and supporters. If there is a perception that some "person" is offensive to a large portion of the audience, how will other teams make their $$$dough$$$ from broadcast rights, merchandise and ticket sales?

How can I, in any stretch of imagination, believe Rush will not profit from my participation, even when I don't wanna support "his team"? Sorry Rush, but don't wish the NFL to go the way of WWF (now WWE).

I wouldnt spend a nickel on the NFL or Limbaugh

The players cannot do much by standing up to "bloods and crips" comments that are legally within the framework of free speech, especially if it was fabricated. They could have stood up and changed the behavior of some of the athletes that do act like "bloods and crips" in the NFL. Regardless of who said it or not, there is truth to the statement. Perhaps that should be more of a concern.

Mr. Smith, you begin your comments with two offensive "quotes" supposedly uttered by Mr. LImbaugh. Can you source those "quotes"? When and where were such statements supposedly made?

get a clue folks. Love him or hate him, Rush never made the statements being attributed to him (about the bloods and crips)

important to" their people"...
When Ross Perot said "your people" at an NAACP dinner he was beaten down by the news media. When will people stop thinking racism only goes one way to one color? You can't be anti-racist if you make racist comments without even knowing it.

Rush Limbaugh is a waste of space but he's just an "entertainer" that has found a way to keep lining his pockets at the expense of race relations. Ignore him & when the money dries up he will go away!

As a Rams fan, I see the huge negative of having Rush involved with St. Louis as a team and in the community. At the same time, I see a positive that Dave Checketts would be the majority owner of the team. He'd be doing the majority of the deciding and the voting and the speaking. He's also done a fantastic job resurrecting the Blues and bringing some good hockey back to St. Louis.

I personally detest Rush... and his equal hatred of anyone who disagrees with his right leaning agenda. However, if something drastic isn't done on the ownership side of football to make the Rams a less repugnant team to watch, they'll be back to LA as soon as they can get out from under their lease to the EJD.

Better still.........does the young generation have real feelings of MLK when he said, "I have a dream"? His dream wasn't of athletes making millions and toeing the line. His dream wasn't of black people bearing children out of wedlock at horrible rates. His dream wasn't of a generation of people without a decent education. His dream wasn't of a family torn apart by the drug trade.
Remember the ad of the old indian with a tear streaming down his face? Maybe there should be a picture of MLK with a tear streaming down his face.
Maybe our president should use the bully pulpit that was given to him to raise the people up. He hasn't done anything so far to make a difference in an area where he could so easily.
This is a national disgrace and no one is speaking out.
And by the way, I am a middle-aged white man who was hoping for "real change" that was offered. It looks like it's the status quo.

This is America, Rush has a right to free speech just like everone else. I don't agree with Rush on a lot of things, but I do agree that he has freedom of speech!

I wonder what Mr. Smith's opinion would be if, say, Al Sharpton or Louis Farrakhan bid for an NFL team. Then I bet his hypocrisy would show right through...

The phrase "begs the question" is used to the describe the use of circular logic. For example, if I ask a person to prove the existence of God, and he replies that all I have to do is read the Bible for proof, he is begging the question.

Begging the question does not mean that a question arises from a certain circumstance or condition.

Possibly Stephen A.'s best piece of work, ever. Well done.

If Rush is removed from the airwaves....than the rappers that rap hate should be removed also. They are all just as racist......

"their people"?

And you wonder why there's a racial divide in this country....

We're all one people. We're all Americans.

I appreciate that Smith is just trying to stir up controversy and be a lightning rod for controversy, but he's the biggest hypocrite of them all.

In this market, money talks. Have all the controversy and talk about it you want, if Satan showed enough cash to buy a professional sports team in the USA, he could. Money talks

"Beautiful! Now here’s another suggestion:

Instead of waiting until Limbaugh pursued ownership of a team, maybe they should’ve spoken out when he compared them to the Crips and the Bloods."

WOW! SJS!!! You're dead-on, brother!!!

Looks like the vast left wing conspiracy is in full force. Rush never said "...slavery has it's merits..." or any other of a number of quotes that have been attributed to him over the past few days. If you're going to call him a racist, then please at least check your facts and site your sources. If you don't have a source for a quote, don't print it.

A working man voting for a Republican is like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders. Rush, and his supporters, do nothing positive for this country. They are selfish, scared, bigoted, and liars. Rush made his bed, now he can lie in it...and he won't take the Rams with him. It's time to take a stand against these uneducated blowhards.

Get your facts straight.... these alleged quotes from Rush are false. You guys are unbelievable...

Rush should be able to buy anything he wants. Louis Farrakkan should be alble too as well .

Wow! Just Wow! I am not a Rush fan but he never made those comments. In fact, from what I understand, Rush is a huge football supporter.

Why not let him purchase a team? Just because you disagree with his conservative views do not mean you have the right to insinuate that he is a "racist".

I would charge that you are not only ignorant Mr. Smith, but probably need to practice what you preach (or at least get your facts straight before posting this drivel). I bet we dont get a retraction or apology from you either.

I for one would like to hear any one of the multiple journalists who claim Limbaugh made these statements back it up with some actual proof. I read that he said that slavery "had merits" yet cannot attribute any such statement to a reliable source. I have also read that Limbaugh denies ever having said any such thing and cannot find any proof that he did. So I have to ask. What is this accusation based upon? Fact or rumor? Should it be the case that CNN is repeating false rumors about Limbaugh then that would be libel. I'll be interested to see what happens with this. While I know Limbaugh makes statements that are controversial, I also know that he fully backs what he says. He has denied making these racial statements and if he is proved correct it will be wonderful to see the lazy, incompetent media get its due for not checking their sources and running out rumors as news.

The point of the article is accurate – that the black players should have the fortitude and strength to stand up when it matters, not just when the players association complains. Notwithstanding this, the bigger question is when in America did your opinion become the barometer for whether or not you should be allowed to participate in business opportunities. I certainly hope that free speech is still a reality and not soon to be extinct. If you disagree with Limbaugh (as I do most of the time), then turn off the radio. I suggest the conservatives do the same when liberal commentators espouse ultra liberal positions. The answer is not to silence the adverse voices by banning them; rather, it is to silence them by convincing others of your position and thereby causing the demise of radio and TV extremists like Limbaugh or Olberman.

Shame on you Stephen saying players should speak to "their people." Their people? Their people??? That sounds beyond racist to me. As Barak Obama has said "we are not black America or white America, we are the United States of America." Their people?? And while we are at it, how about affirmative action? If it's good enough for the workplace, it's good enough for the football field and the basketball court. Let's even the playing field there too.

This is a funny situation to me....and I guess this is the reason why....For most Americans when people act up in a way that is not deemed apporiate (in the NFL) we feel that they should not be allowed to play the sport anymore. "Its a Privilege not a right" to play professional sports....(Mike Vick/Donte Stallworth), but for Rush since he has the money to buy a team "Its a Right not a privilege" to own a team. I guess whether or not you have the money to buy into a situation makes the difference as to whether its a Right or a Privilege. It's not about white or black, I just find it kind of funny how we as Americans view issues.

How is being allowed to purchased the lowly Rams considered a "reward" by and stretch of the meaning? LOL If all of you that hate Limbaugh so much (simply because you disagree with him) want to punish him, then the best way to do that would be to let him buy that awful franchise and let it be an anchor around his wallet! But the REAL issue here is that his group will never be awarded the franchise because they want to keep it in St. Louis instead of moving it to LA, which the league desperately wants to happen. Of course, the story will still be all about how the league and players took a principled stand even though it ultimately had nothing to do with the decision.

There's got to be some way for Limpbaugh to make money off of the segment of the population who won't listen to him. Oh yeah, buy an NFL team and have them sweat on Sundays on the field.

Lets reward devisive, and demeaning comments.Because freedom of speech trumps all.Yeah right !!! Ask Imus does words matter.ESPN showed Rush what they thought of devisive racial comments.Just like MLB and the Dodgers showed Al Campanis how much words matter,and let's not forget Jimmy the Greek.The powers that be may or may not care about the words of these people,but they do understand the importance of keeping the public and the players happy thru perception if nothing else.Rush is only as relevant as we the people make him.I choose to ignore him as much as possible.

Limbaugh played "Barack the Magic Negro" on his radio show. I am white, voted for Republicans and know that is offensive to blacks. If you were black why would you want to play for a person who is a known racist? Why would St. Louis want to be linked to Rush? I know St. Louis PSL holders who will forego season tickets if Rush owns part ot the team. Which corporate advertisers and sponsors will pull corporate dollars from the NFL and the Rams? ESPN already fired him for offended their employees and audience. ESPN has a business relationship with the NFL. This is not about freedom of speech. By the way, freedom of speech is about preventing congress from passing a law to censor or limit your speech not about a person or company kicking somebody off the radio. But that does bring up a good point when you look at what Don Imus was reprimanded for, i.e. Rush should be reprimaned too or fired. Read the U.S. Constitution and take a social studies class. Why does Limbaugh want to be involved in a socialist movement like the NFL where revenues are shared. That is socialism not capitalism, right Rush?

I have nothing against Rush when it comes down to supposed statements he makes. Plenty of left wing hosts have made comments that we for some reason do not see on CNN or any other big name media networks. It always has to do with conservatives. It also goes on to be extremely annoying when stories like this are fabricated and twisted to represent the growing coup that Obamas agenda is vomiting out in front of us.

It would be nice to see those who jump to conclusion, research some of these stories and allow themselves to make their own opinions for once, but, undoubtedly it wont happen until our loving news media cannon mouths stop the lies and fabrication techniques.

Whether those specific comments were proven fabricated or not, I think the point he's trying to make is that Rush has made statements that are definately questionable to his character. I think even those that find themselves on the right can agree with that. In either case, that's not grounds to keep Limbaugh from buying the Rams. Players, speak out. You have every right to decide whether or not you want to play for a team. Does anyone think that this is the attention, an already attrocious, franchise needs?

Also floored the amount of people that defend this guy! Come on, Rush is a Grade A idiot, who cares what his political affiliation is!

lol, normally i hate stephen a. smith. i figured you woulda taken a totally different tact on this one.

but christ. i'm with you all the way, man.

I agree that Rush, the drug user, has a right to buy a football team...But the entity selling it has the right not to sell it to him as well....this is a free enterprise that works both ways...

Let Rush have the Rams because he is entitled to his opinion and he has the money. He knows as much about professional football as he does about healthy living and being Rx Drug free.
'I hope he fails!!!"

Just don't complain when McNabb, CNN, Farrakhan, OJ, Vick, and the Bloods & Crips make their bid for a franchise simply because they have the money and are entitled to their opinions. If Rush gets one, so do they without debate hypocrites.

Mr Smith:

I am not sure about your journalistic background but – please do me a favor:

Try and SOURCE the comments that are attributed to Rush Limbaugh regarding slavery.

You will find that these statements came from a book that was published about 4 years ago. ("10 People Who Are Destroying America" or something like that).

The author lists the statements but provides no source of these statements (this show on this date at this time). Thus we are to believe that they are true because they are in writing.

Rush Limbaugh has denied ever saying the statement about "Slavery being a good thing". It is not a matter for me to take Rush at his word. It is the job of JOURNALISTS TO SOURCE THE CLAIM and identify the truth.

Thus far we have seen this statement being propagated onto many web sites. This does not prove that they are true. It only proves that there is a lot of copying on the Internet.

Love him or hate him – the American pool of journalists have botched this one. They took a statement that appears to be fabricated and ran with it.

Whats the difference between Rush being part of a group to by a sports team and you have Jay-Z(Nets) who has lyrics that put down women and Nelly(small owner of Bobcats) who is a womanizer and nobody cried out???

The reason Limbaugh hasn't been "removed from the airwaves" is because a lot of people like, and agree with, what he has to say. And while you may not like that truth, it is in fact the truth.

if you listen to Rush's show at all, there is no way you cannot feel or hear the idiot's very feeling about color or creed. All you apologists are closet racists too. Dude does not like Obama or anyone who attempts to help their fellow man...with anything. He got off light for his crime and you would think that might have changed his view but it only empowered him do be be a bigger RICHARD!!!
Truth????? ha ha ha ha ha.

In regards to racism and/or about racist individuals globally, "The miraculous evolution of perfect intelligence is when a human mind is totally exempt of pointless views." -by JASON BAPTISTE a.k.a. Golden Poet