Rush Limbaugh says stupid things.
Listeners of the controversial figure’s radio show are treated to gems almost nightly, on topics of feminism, which the radio host says “was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society,” to condoms, which he says “only work during the school year.”
The stupidest thing Limbaugh has said lately, however, is that he wants to buy the St. Louis Rams.
Why Limbaugh wants to get involved with one of the most atrocious teams in the NFL is a secret only he knows, but his bid to purchase the hapless franchise has met an astounding amount of resistance.
Al Sharpton recently wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell saying he was “disturbed” by the prospect of Limbaugh joining the league and asking to meet with Goodell to “discuss the myriad of reasons as to why he should not be given an opportunity to do so.” Jesse Jackson has also expressed distress at Limbaugh’s bid. A number of NFL players have said they won’t play for the Rams if Limbaugh buys the team, and DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, urged athletes to speak out further against Limbaugh’s bid in a statement released Sunday.
“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,” Smith said in the statement.
The backlash from players is fair. In 2007, Limbaugh made comments on his radio show comparing the NFL to “a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons.”
Players have the right to choose not to play for him if they disagree with his views. But the NFL shouldn’t be able to bar Limbaugh from buying a team based simply on his political bent or ideology.
As Smith said in his statement, professional sports are a business. A company that is failing can be bought out by any buyer willing to take the risk to purchase it. Why should an NFL team be any different?
The Rams have been for sale for two years with no potential buyers in sight, and for good reason. The team is 5-32 since 2007. They haven’t won a single game in over a year. If Rush wants the Rams, he can have them.
His detractors have many labels for Limbaugh: fat, pill-popping, racist, sexist, extreme right wing. He may be many of these. But he’s also an avid and knowledgeable football fan, and may well be a competent owner.
In the 1980s, Limbaugh worked for the Kansas City Royals, and he once had a seat in the studio on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, before he was canned (surprise) for comments about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Likewise, there’s no shortage of controversial or cretinous owners in sports. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is fined constantly by the NBA for off-court antics and comments he makes on his blog.
Michael Jordan, now part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, has been known to stick his foot in his mouth on occasion. A certain bumbling U.S. president was even once co-owner of the Texas Rangers.
Many people don’t like Limbaugh — fair enough. But not many people care for Michael Vick either, and he’s still suiting up on Sundays.
Whether they like Limbaugh or despise him, players, fans and the NFL should be ecstatic that anyone at all wants to buy the Rams. The disdain here is unnecessary.
Save it for when Glen Beck starts saying he wants a team.
Zach wants to buy the Scottsdale Community College Artichokes, but probably won’t be allowed to due to his controversial views on vegetables. Sympathize at zachary.fowle@asu.edu.
