How Rush Limbaugh gave America its Sundays back

American Thinker ^ | 10-18-09 | Neil Braithwaite

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October 18, 2009

How Rush Limbaugh gave America its Sundays back

By Neil Braithwaite

Ever since I can remember, from my days as a young boy sitting beside my dad perched in front of the old black and white 25" console, to just last week watching my high-def 42" flat screen television, pro football has been the essence of my fall and winter Sundays. I'm sure this is also true for countless milions of other men across this great land.

But for many pro football loving men this past week, that came to a halt faster than the Cowboys' Walt Garrison on the goal line when hit by Washington Redskins' Kenny Houston on October 8, 1973. Go Redskins!

So what would persuad thousands of armchair quarterbacks to put down their remotes and walk away from their split-screen NFL Sunday utopias -- cold turkey?

Was it because the pro football game has gotten so boring and predictable? Did all their wives finally put their collective feet down? No. Countless men addicted to the NFL are walking away from pro football this week as a direct result of what transpired in the media during Rush Limbaugh's attempt to become a minority NFL owner.

Rush Limbaugh has attracted many male listeners over the years because of his staunch conservative views, unabashed humor and unapologetic manly attitude. It all makes for great male bonding. But the one thing that helps form a special bond between the big guy and many of his male listeners is Rush's love for pro football.

Rush is known for being a very passionate guy, so when he corroborated the story that he was a minority partner in a group trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams, he must have had some serious "game day" butterflies. Rush's pro football-loving listeners share his passion, so when they found out about his bid to become an NFL owner, they immediately began to root for their competitive friend to win. Go Rush!

Most Rush listeners know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would not only be great for the St. Louis Rams' organization and its players, but also ultimately be great for the NFL. They know that Rush is a strong competitor and would bring that "must win" attitude to the NFL. His love and respect for the game, its players and organizations have been on display for all America since his radio talk show became syndicated in August 1988. If Rush had become an NFL owner, many of his loyal listeners would have to enlarge their sentimental NFL team base to include the St. Louis Rams just because of Rush. Go Rush -- go Rams!

It was inevitable however, that Rush would get some flack about his stint as a commentator on ESPN and the whole Donovan McNabb story, but no one expected what ultimately transpired in the media because of his minority ownership bid.

In retrospect, the vicious and slanderous attacks that poured out on Rush from the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were to be expected. These two guys never miss an opportunity to sling a little racial slander and grab some limelight. But several liberals in the news media decided to get on board the slander train and that's when things started getting out of hand. Then some current and former NFL players along with a select group of the sports media decided to jump into the Rush feeding frenzy and things really began to go overboard. This band of ignorant and slanderous liberals attributed unthinkable racial statements to Rush without any definitive proof. The angry mob's accusations ultimately led to Rush's removal from the group bidding for the St. Louis NFL franchise.

But the story doesn't end there. Not one NFL owner or representative came out to denounce the uncivil tone and unfounded slanderous attacks made against Rush, who, as if they were too ignorant to know, happened to be one of the NFL's biggest supporters as well as a prospective owner. It was the ultimate responsibility of the NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, to put a stop to this nonsense. But did Goodell step forward? No. In fact, he did just the opposite and climbed on the slander train himself by saying that "divisive comments" would not be welcome in the league. Goodell's statement was reprehensible and became the straw the broke the camel's back for countless thousands of Rush supporters. It was game over -- adios NFL!

Unlike the NFL, in the game of life there are not always clearly defined winners and losers. However, in this tragic situation there are a few of each. The biggest losers are the NFL and the St. Louis Rams, who lost an opportunity to have an awesome new competitor and minority owner. The merry host of media slander slingers also lost the last bit of respect anyone may have ever had for them. And America just lost a little of what makes her the greatest country in the world -- civility, respect and fairness. Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, became a big winner in the eyes of his loyal listeners for the responsible and dignified manner in which he handled the whole situation.

But the biggest winners of all are the thousands of families throughout America who just got their husbands and fathers back on Sundays. Picnic anyone?

Neil Braithwaite is a Real Estate Broker and writer in Charlotte, NC. He writes political commentary and satire and is a regular contributor to PoliticalDerby.com. 

Page Printed from: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/how_rush_limbaugh_gave_america.html at October 18, 2009 - 01:16:21 AM EDT

[Terpfen]

For Football, it was when I discovered that some timeouts during the game were LITERALLY for TV commercial breaks.

TV timeouts are not nearly as obtrusive or blatant as you claim they are. They're taken between special teams plays, when offenses and defenses are sorting out player packages anyway; during injury timeouts, when there's nothing to show but a guy writing in pain, which no one wants to see; and during routine 30-second timeouts when, again, there's nothing to see.

TV timeouts are tame compared to, say, Internet advertising.

[The Anti-One]

"In fact, he did just the opposite and climbed on the slander train himself by saying that "divisive comments" would not be welcome in the league. Goodell's statement..."

No! The exercise of free speech shall not be welcome in the NFL but drug addicts, animal abusers, gang bangers, murderers and the like are welcome in the league right Goodell?

No more NFL in our home I guarantee and while I may be only one none of the other four people that live in my home will watch it either. With the economy going to baraq O bamah in a hand basket I seriously doubt goodell and company can afford to tic off too many people like me. Money's tight and I know there are lots of other businesses out there that would like to take it from me. I don't need to, nor do I want to spend any more with the NFL.

What a joke. No Rush but Al Davis? <* shaking head *>

JMHO

[The Anti-One]

Oh give me a break... it’s stupid to boycott over this...

Who's boycotting? I'm finished. Like I did baseball back in the seventies when they went on strike I will NEVER watch another NFL football game as long as I live. Boycotting implies one will return when blah blah blah happens. Over 30 years since I watched a baseball game and I another 30+ years will pass or I will die before I go back. Same thing with NFL football. You think it's stupid to stop supporting those that spit in your face and trample on your most basic human rights^??? you go for it but I'm smart enough to come in out of the rain. I don't need to waste my money watching a bunch of punks pumped up on steroids pretending to be men but that's just me. Of course Direct TV didn't like me canceling my NFL package yesterday. When they asked me why I was dropping that "service" I told them.

I wonder how many others will do the same. Sooner or later these residual businesses have got to wake up and realize how these racists (Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.) and unions are killing their businesses.

[discostu]

I disagree with that statement. Rush IS a divisive personality, a significant portion of his show is geared towards irritating the left, now as much as they deserve to be irritated they do make up about 1/3 of the populace and Goodell doesn’t need or want that kind of owner in the league. He’s got enough problem owners in the league already without one that has a 3 hour a day 5 day a week show geared towards making people mad.

But all that being said, Goodell is not the person that kicked Rush out of the deal. Rush’ partners kicked him out of the deal. Why is it none of the boycott happy people re talking about boycotting the St Louis Blues? They’re owned by one of the people (Checketts) that ACTUALLY kicked Rush out of the deal.

[DungeonMaster]

I’ve grown to dislike watching the crips and the bloods for quite a few years. Learning about the number of felons in the NFL soured me even more but now I’m actively compaigning against the NFL.

[Andy'smom]

Good point about boycotting the Blues, but Rush would not have been dropped by the group if Goodell hadn’t sent a strong signal that his inclusion was going to be an issue.

[discostu]

Yeah he would have. Goodell’s comment came after 5 days of bad press surrounding the deal that was showing no sign of slowing down or ending, anybody with half a brain knew by that point that Rush’ inclusion was going to be an issue And one owner had already said he’d vote no if it came to that. 2/3 of the owners have to vote to accept a new ownership group, when the deal is no where near finalized and somebody is already lined up to vote no that’s a clear indication that the deal is DOA.

[TigersEye]

So, divisive leftists are acceptable to the NFL but not divisive conservatives!?! OK.

I can't tell you what is in the minds of "boycott happy people" since I am not one as I said earlier. I don't watch the egotistic chest thumping thugs of the NFL in the first place.

[discostu]

What divisive leftist have recently become owners in the NFL?

[TigersEye]

Who knows and who cares? You are the one who said Goodell had enough problem owners. Obviously they aren't problem conservative owners.

The bottom line is that the NFL is populated by violent criminals, crackheads, meth-heads, steroid freaks, animal abusers, perverts and egotistical pricks and now we know that they have a decided bias in favor of the communists now in control of our government.

If that is entertainment to you and you want to support it with your money go right ahead. While you still have some money you are free, mostly, to spend it any way you want to.

[discostu]

You’re the one who said divisive leftists are allowed in the NFL, so who is the divisive leftist owner that’s become an owner since Goodell became commissioner? See if there isn’t one then that makes your statement wrong.

Most of the problem owners aren’t problems because of their politics. Al Davis is a problem because he’s senile. Georgia Frontiere used to be a problem because she was nuts. Daniel Snyder is a problem because he’s an idiot who keeps gobbling up all the good players and turning them into a terrible team. Jerry Jones is a problem because he likes to use his radio show to make negotiations with the PA harder because he really wants the uncapped year that’ll happen if they don’t get a deal in place.

The NFL’s percentage of people with legal problems is no higher than the general population. If that’s your problem with the NFL then you better leave the country.

[TigersEye]

You’re the one who, relying on one unsourced rumor from Reuters, said that Soros was part of the Checkett’s deal. Apparently, no, obviously he is not controversial or divisive in the eyes of Goodell, sports pundits and the players who jumped on the lies being spread about Rush.

[Texas Eagle]

If Conservatives aren't good enough for the NFL, then the NFL is not good enough for me. Screw Goodell, Irsay, and the rest.

I've watched a grand total of maybe 5 baseball games since the players went on strike way back when and I guarantee I will watch fewer NFL games now that they've basically told Conservatives "the exits are clearly marked".

[discostu]

I’m not relying on anything from Reuters Rush said Soros is in the deal. And the deal hasn’t gone through, I doubt highly the deal will go through, it’s brought too much bad press.

[GOPJ]

...ignorant and slanderous liberals attributed unthinkable racial statements to Rush without any definitive proof. The angry mob's accusations ultimately led to Rush's removal from the group bidding for the St. Louis NFL franchise.

If the liberals who run the NFL don't think Rush is good enough for them - they sure as hell don't think I'm good enough for them.

This is another "Charlie Gibson moment" - they're looking down their collective noses on us...

[TigersEye]

"This is all speculative because I don't know that he's (George Soros) in the group. Reuters reported it yesterday." - Rush Limbaugh

Apparently you can't read.

[Texas Eagle]

If the liberals who run the NFL don't think Rush is good enough for them - they sure as hell don't think I'm good enough for them.

Amen, bro.

I've watched my last NFL game.

[GOPJ]

Rush: The NFL has a rule that the primary owner has to have 30% equity in the team, and our group lost our 30% equity guy, and we had to scramble and find a new one, and I was told who it was, but now I'm wondering if it was Soros and I wasn't told. Soros and Checketts did, I have learned, partner together previously to try to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mr. Soros, of course, is well known politically for his left-wing slants, his politics fit in perfectly, apparently, with what the National Football League is becoming. But I wonder if they know that he is also involved in the movement to legalize marijuana and how that will play as the owners decide whether or not he's fit. This is all speculative because I don't know that he's in the group. Reuters reported it yesterday.

Nice answer jellybean.

[discostu]

You do realize you’re killing your own argument don’t you? Because if Soros isn’t in the deal then you lose all possible ammo on the idea that divisive leftists are allowed in the league. The only way you have a point on that is if Soros is in the deal AND it goes through.

[chris_bdba]

Gee I wonder how many Sundays it will take until the NFL notices that their ratings are down and the stadiums aren’t as full as they were?