Rush Limbaugh bad for ESPN (my title)

United Feature Syndicate | 07/25/03 | Kevin McDonough

[Salo]

While we are on the subject of ESPN, why on earth did that sports channel hire Rush Limbaugh as a commentator for it's "NLF Countdown" series? Did anybody as ESPN think this through?

Watching sports is what we do when we want to forget about politics. To Limbaugh, everything is partisan. He spends three hours a day, five days a week on his radio show praising one party and demonizing another. That's his right, but why stink up football coverage with his presence?

Even if it were possible to put aside his habit of mean-spirited name-calling, one would have to wrestle with his "creative" approach to the truth. Propaganda and paranoia have no place on a sports channel.

This is a desperate publicity stunt that will hurt ESPN's credibilty and needlessly alienate fair-minded fans.

[BMiles2112]

Hey, it seems that I remember the name Kevin M. connected with various lame columns in the past.

You're right, he writes garbage. The good part of it is that he writes so consistently bad, that I can reliably assume that the opposite of what he's saying is true.

[Hatteras]

More liberals than you might think. I can see the point of their complaint though. They put women down on the sidelines of MY footbal games. C'mon, these are football games, women don't belong on MY football games. Just get me my chips and dip and go away. They talk through the games and ask stupid questions at inopportune times and they get bored by halftime. Women and football don't mix. ESPN bringing in a celebrity who's made his career on the political scene is the same to me. Football is MY outlet to get away from real issues for a few hours on Sunday.

Obviously, because Rush is on MY side of the aisle, I'm a little more inclined to give him a chance, but I really don't think I want him on MY pregame show (or in the booth, for that matter).

[Sunshine Sister]

Heck, he might bring some new fair minded fans like me who don't know the game, but might learn something! One will have to hide and watch to find out his effect on the show.

[battlegearboat]

Rush was a major contender for Monday Night Football and lost out to Dennis Miller. Rush lobbied hard for the position.

To say Rush is knowledgable about football is an understatement.(I realize that you did not say that neighbor)

There is a group of Tulsa teachers who strut around wearing their "Hush! Rush!" T-shirts. These were handed out to them at their union meetings along with their marching orders.

Rather* sickening, wouldn't you say?

*"What's the frequency, Kenneth?"

[ditto h]

Two words...don't watch.

[laweeks]

Not sure why they need Rush in the booth. I'm a 100% Rush fan, but he doesn't fit in. I wouldn't want John Madden yapping away on Rush's show. They had it just right last year with Madden and what's-his-name. Don't need celebrities or dames on the sidelines for my football.

Does anybody remember years ago when they experimented by having NOBODY in the booth? Just silence and total crowd noise. I thought that was neat.

[Prysson]

This twit seems to be of the opinion that only people who share his political leanings are fairminded.

[Phantom Lord]

Many Rush fans complain that he talks about sports too much and needs to stick with politics.

Another article from someone who hasn't listened to more than 5 minutes of his show in the 15 years its been on the air.

I do hope that ESPN allows Limbaugh to do some Environmental Wacko Picks each week.

[Physicist]

*I* don't understand why they hired Rush for this.

He's an experienced sportscaster who's voluble and quick-witted, and who brings an established audience along with him.

[smiley]

Gee, some of us must have been listening to a different Rush program than some of you Freepers. If memory serves me correctly, several threads here were discussing the fact that Rush always talked too much about his golf game, his golf charity events and his love of the game. Rush is an entertainer and thank God he's on our side. Looking forward to hearing Rush on ESPN.

[Hatteras]

"He's an experienced sportscaster..."

He is?

[goldstategop]

He plays golf. I think he went to a golf tournament in California last week.

[Phantom Lord]

"He's an experienced sportscaster..."

Rush worked for the KC Royals, but he was never an on air personality for the team. I do not think he has a single minute of sportscasting experience.

Though he doesn't need any as he will not be providing color or even be near the broadcast booth. He will be in the ESPN studio or at a remote location doing pre-game commentary that will be virtually identical to the commentary he makes on his radio show about the NFL.

[Rebelbase]

"Frankly, I think it'll be fascinating to see the reaction of many people who've been brainwashed into thinking that Rush is a demonic monster once they hear him give reasonable, and interesting, commentary on the NFL."

Not to mention seeing people's reactions when they find out Rush is slim and trim, instead of being a fat-lard-ass that the media contiually tries to portray him as being.

[rface]

I never have watched ESPN for football coverage.

I will watch ESPN ONLY because of Limbaugh.

[NittanyLion]

I'm sure Rush roots for the Eagles, who are the most conservative team in the NFL.

[martin gibson]

...I would figure they are more WNBA types.

...and the LPGA!!

[Physicist]

Rush worked for the KC Royals, but he was never an on air personality for the team. I do not think he has a single minute of sportscasting experience.

I stand corrected. I had thought that he was behind the mike.

[Ax]

I have enjoyed watching Chris Berman's show for years. They do a fantastic editing job and if you happen to miss a game during the afternoon, they'll have all the highlights in the evening. I've always thought that Chris Berman was the Rush Limbaugh of sports. I think they'll work very well together, if in fact that is ESPN'S plan.