BOSTON (Oct. 13) - Rush Limbaugh's bid to buy the St. Louis Rams ran
into opposition within the NFL on Tuesday. Colts owner Jim Irsay
vowed to vote against him and commissioner Roger Goodell said the
conservative commentator's "divisive" comments would not be
tolerated from any NFL insider.
This photo provided by Rush Limbaugh shows Limbaugh in his Palm Beach, Fla. radio studio, the last week of Sept., 2009. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would not tolerate "divisive" comments from an NFL owner like the ones the talk show host made about Donovan McNabb in 2003. And Colts owner Jim Irsay says he would vote to bar Limbaugh if he tries to buy the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Photo courtesy of Rush Limbaugh)
This photo provided by Rush Limbaugh shows Limbaugh in his Palm Beach, Fla. radio studio, the last week of Sept., 2009. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would not tolerate "divisive" comments from an NFL owner like the ones the talk show host made about Donovan McNabb in 2003. And Colts owner Jim Irsay says he would vote to bar Limbaugh if he tries to buy the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Photo courtesy of Rush Limbaugh)
AP
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) walks off the field after the Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins 31-27 during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
AP
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks up at the replay screen after the Dolphins scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins won 31-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (7) is congratulated by head coach Tony Sparano, right, after the Dolphins scored the game-winning touchdown against the New York Jets during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins won 31-27. At left is Miami Dolphins back-up quarterback Tyler Thigpen (16). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker Jason Taylor #99 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after defeating the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Taylor
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Singer Marc Anthony sings the National Anthem prior to the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets fans prior to their game at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc Anthony
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Singer Marc Anthony sings the National Anthem prior to the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets fans prior to their game at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc Anthony
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Performance artist limited partner Jennifer Lopez of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown against the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jennifer Lopez
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Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor (99) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Miami, Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. Taylor left Monday night's game against the Jets with a right shoulder injury but returned later in the fourth quarter. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP
MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker David Harris #52 of the New York Jets stops running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins from reaching the end-zone at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Harris;Ricky Williams
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"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him,"
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said at the owners meetings.
"When there are comments that have been made that are
inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage,
and it's something that we don't need."
Limbaugh has long been a hero of conservatives and villain to
the left, thriving on his place in the political spectrum while
establishing himself as one of the most successful broadcasters in
history. But the NFL tries to avoid controversy, as Limbaugh
learned in 2003 when he was forced to resign from ESPN's Sunday
night football broadcast after saying of Philadelphia's Donovan
McNabb: "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."
"Divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about,"
commissioner Roger Goodell said. "I would not want to see those
kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position in
the NFL."
Limbaugh also said, according to transcripts posted on his Web
site: "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods
and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it." That
comment, and others, resurfaced this month when he revealed he is
teaming with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts to bid on the
Rams.
Goodell said the Rams updated the league on the progress of
their potential sale, but bidders were not discussed.
"They're not certain they are even sellers," New York Giants
co-owner Steve Tisch said, adding that he expected a decision by
the end of the season. "We can't speculate on potential owners
because they have not brought up any names to put before ownership.
It's out there, but without confirmation from the Rams or the
Rosenbloom family, frankly, we don't know who the potential buyers
are."
Patriots owner Robert Kraft referred questions about Limbaugh to
the commissioner. Texans owner Bob McNair said anyone who meets the
"normal criteria" is a candidate to own a team.
"But our vetting process is very thorough," he said.
Prominent blacks are already lining up against Limbaugh,
including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. NFL Players
Association head DeMaurice Smith, who also is black, urged players
to speak out against Limbaugh's bid, and several have already said
they would not play for his team.
But Irsay is the first owner who has stated unequivocally he
would reject Limbaugh if it comes up for a vote. Prospective owners
must be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams.
Irsay said at first that he would consult with people he
respected, such as defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, coach Jim
Caldwell and former coach Tony Dungy, all of whom are black. But
later, the owner said he did not need to get anyone else's input
before rejecting someone who made a habit of "demonizing
individuals."
"I met Rush only once. He seemed like a nice guy to me and all
those kind of things," Irsay said. "It's bigger than the NFL. As
a nation, and as a world, we've got to watch our words and our
thoughts. They can do damage."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
MIAMI, April 28 -- Talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh surrendered to authorities Friday on a charge of committing fraud to obtain prescription drugs, concluding an investigation that for more than two years has hovered over the law-and-order conservative. Anyone else would have went to prison for this. CAn Drug addicts own NFL teams wouldn't this violate the NFL drug policy??????????????
WHY DO YOU RWINGERS HAVE TO MAKE EVERY THING INTOPOLITICAL THING THENFL DOESNTWANNA BECOME APOLITICLA TOY FOR ANY ONE THEY DONT ENDORSED RUSH OR ANY ONE LEAVE THEM THE HELL ALONE RUSH LIMBAUGH IS ARWING NUT JOBS AND ACHYT STIRRER THE NFL DOESNT NEED THAT CRAP IN PROFESSIONAL FOOT BALL
For isray to even own a club showes how low some one can sink, when his father left Baltimore in the middle of the night with his tail between his legs,in may flower vans. Guess when it comes to guts. the apple doesnt fall from the tree.( Fan since george shaw days) Chila 2336
The worlds two biggest hypocrits now have good company. Goodell you are a hypocrite. I have been a Dallas Cowboy's fan for many years. Each year I spend thousands of dollars that end up in the NFL coffers, never again. I will never support another NFL franchise until Goodell apologizes to Limbaugh. I call on all Americans to do likewise. The race card is dead and stinking. This is nothing more than fodder that lines the pockets of sharpton and jackson. The worst part is his fleecing of the black community, they are not funded by whitey. Every time they can pounce on something in the name of racism, cha ching.
I think RUsh should be able to buy a football if he wants. As for the two remarks he made. I do believe Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have made more racist comments than that. For example: Sharpton said during the primaries that" true belivers in god won't elect a mormon." And before that said "white people were living in caves while we were building empires..... we taught philosophy,astronomy and mathmatics before socrates and them greek homos ever got around to it. there's two for him.
Jesse jackson called "obama a half breed n-word." and called "jewish people hymies" and referred to New York as "hymietown" there are two for him.
So lets not take what the two hypocrites have to say too seriously.
L SAMEDTRAN: Why not write to your liberal congress and ask them to pass a bill not to allow Rush to buy anything. The only Liberals Can Buy Bill. I am sure that bill would add about 1300 pork projects
I bet they would sell to a China business or a Arab Sheik. Or one of Obamas socialist buds. Remember how J. Jackson gets his money. He forces say like the Nascar peeps to give him a seat on the board or he will boycot. Sharpie is the racist. He only sells products from black people to blk people. Do you ever listen to his program all of his products only work for blk folk. Prostrate herbs only for blk mens health.
Anyone else would have went to prison for this. CAn Drug addicts own NFL teams wouldn't this violate the NFL drug policy??????????????
For example:
Sharpton said during the primaries that" true belivers in god won't elect a mormon."
And before that said "white people were living in caves while we were building empires..... we taught philosophy,astronomy and mathmatics before socrates and them greek homos ever got around to it.
there's two for him.
Jesse jackson called "obama a half breed n-word."
and called "jewish people hymies" and referred to New York as "hymietown"
there are two for him.
So lets not take what the two hypocrites have to say too seriously.