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NFL fans won't pass on Rush (Great column on old El Rushbo!)
Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 8-20-2003 | RAY McNULTY

Posted on 08/20/2003 1:57:57 PM PDT by Trailer Trash

NFL fans won't pass on Rush

By RAY McNULTY
August 20, 2003

For as long as I can remember, we've been getting our nightly network news delivered from the left.

And that was supposed to be OK.

Dan Rather, who succeeded Walter Cronkite at CBS, spoke at a Democratic fundraiser, constantly referred to Kenneth Starr as "Republican independent counsel" and called Bill Clinton an "honest man."

And that was supposed to be OK.

ABC's Peter Jennings, a Canadian, refused to let country music star Toby Keith sing his rousing, patriotic song, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," on the network's Fourth of July special.

And that was supposed to be OK.

We've got National Public Radio, the New York Times and CNN (Clinton News Network?), all of which claim to be "objective" in their journalism but almost never see things the right way.

And that's supposed to be OK.

But ESPN announces that it is adding Rush Limbaugh to its "Sunday NFL Countdown" show.

And, apparently, that's not OK.

Why? Because Limbaugh espouses conservative views.

Because Limbaugh sometimes says stuff that isn't politically correct.

Because Limbaugh, whose top-rated radio show attracts a daily audience of nearly 20 million, has made a lucrative career of challenging the words and deeds of those on the opposite side of the political fence.

So his listeners love him, and liberals - especially militant feminists, environmental extremists and anyone who believes the federal government is the answer to all of life's problems - hate him.

Which makes him a bold, controversial and interesting choice for his new TV gig.

According to ESPN, Limbaugh is going to provide the "voice of the fan" and help spark debate on the cable network's popular, NFL pregame show, hosted by Chris Berman. And for that role, he is well-equipped.

Limbaugh loves football, particularly the NFL, and he seems to be an knowledgeable fan.

He is not shy about giving his opinion.

He is a gifted communicator who knows how to make his point and do so in a calculated, colorful and compelling way.

Will his political views occasionally creep into his on-air contributions? Probably.

But when they do, rest assured there will be at least a hint of humor.

Fact is, Limbaugh can be very entertaining. And he will bring something new, maybe something unique, to a show that is already fun to watch.

ESPN's plan is to have Limbaugh provide a 90-second opinion piece - an oral essay - on whatever aspect of the NFL is in the news that week, then participate in the impromptu banter with Berman and the other analysts.

I, for one, can't wait to see how he fits in and hear what he has to say. (Then again, I also enjoyed Dennis Miller's now-defunct contributions to Monday Night Football.) And I don't think I'm alone.

Limbaugh will bring more than a few of his loyal listeners - including many who wouldn't normally spend their late Sunday mornings watching an NFL pregame show - to ESPN.

And I'm betting his presence draws more viewers than it turns away.

I just hope he doesn't take himself too seriously. I hope he doesn't get caught up in all the hype and try to present himself as a football expert.

He isn't, and he's not supposed to be.

He's a fan.

Football is a game.

The show is entertainment.

The only way this thing works is if Limbaugh has fun with it - and he will.

He'll do it right.

And that's OK with me.

Ray McNulty is sports columnist for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal. Contact him at ray.mucnulty(at)Scripps.com.)

Copyright 2003, KnoxNews. All Rights Reserved.



TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: football; limbaugh; nfl; rush
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The man just gets better and better with age............
1 posted on 08/20/2003 1:57:57 PM PDT by Trailer Trash
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To: Real Rush
FYI
2 posted on 08/20/2003 1:58:44 PM PDT by Trailer Trash
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To: Trailer Trash
Nice.
3 posted on 08/20/2003 2:01:17 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (California Democrats, a State Party worth -$38 billion.)
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To: Trailer Trash
Do you remember when Rush used to do his football picks by political correctness?

I am not a football fan but he used to make me roar. I almost watched one of those games....
4 posted on 08/20/2003 2:02:07 PM PDT by I still care
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To: Trailer Trash
Minor nit on the author's stats...Rush draws a WEEKLY Cume audience of 20 million or so. At any given moment, there are about 5 mil listening (Average Quarter Hour). But the rest of the piece is point-on.

This appeared in a paper in a part of TN that is reliably conservativo. It would NEVER see the light of day in a Nashville or Mumphus paper.

Michel

5 posted on 08/20/2003 2:02:23 PM PDT by Wright is right! (Have a profitable day!)
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To: Trailer Trash
What time is Rush on Sunday? I'll watch...
6 posted on 08/20/2003 2:03:34 PM PDT by Drango (McClintock is my first choice. Simon second. But given the numbers today, I'm voting for Arnold.)
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To: Trailer Trash
"We are not worthy" bump
7 posted on 08/20/2003 2:03:46 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator (Rights are sacred...as in divinely given)
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To: I still care
Also with the "environmental whako" picks each week.
8 posted on 08/20/2003 2:07:32 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Clone Ann Coulter, the woman sent by God)
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To: Trailer Trash
I can't wait!!! I always love when Rush takes the time to mention the upcoming games (usually on Friday). He has great insight into the game because he loves it so much. He is neither a conservative nor a liberal when he speaks about football. He is just a guy who loves the sport.
I hate to stray from my beloved Fox pre-game but I would love to hear what Rush has to say about it.
9 posted on 08/20/2003 2:10:45 PM PDT by 4everontheRight (GWB 04)
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To: Trailer Trash
Don't pin your hopes on a failed top 40 DJ.
10 posted on 08/20/2003 2:19:01 PM PDT by SengirV
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To: SengirV
"Don't pin your hopes on a failed top 40 DJ."

What planet are you from?

11 posted on 08/20/2003 2:34:46 PM PDT by oprahstheantichrist
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To: 4everontheRight; Trailer Trash
I'll watch!
12 posted on 08/20/2003 2:36:12 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (All we need from a Governor is a VETO PEN!!!)
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To: Trailer Trash
Too bad he's working for Disney who many here are always calling others to boycott.
13 posted on 08/20/2003 2:43:02 PM PDT by NC28203
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To: SengirV
A left-fielder, I presume?
14 posted on 08/20/2003 2:53:55 PM PDT by StarCMC (God protect the 969th in Iraq and their Captain, my brother...God protect them all!)
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To: SengirV
HUH?
15 posted on 08/20/2003 3:25:05 PM PDT by shiva
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To: NC28203
Now that Dennis Miller has crossed over to the right, I'm sure many of us here feel just a teeny weeny bit bad for writing all those emails to the Monday night producers complaining how awful Dennis was. Of course it was done if full retribution to their NOT hiring El Rushbo....
16 posted on 08/20/2003 3:41:09 PM PDT by Katya
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To: Katya
I didn't write any e-mails. I thought Dennis did a great job, he was cursed with having to do color for two of the worst seasons of football ever on Monday Night (even Al Michaels has commented that Dennis never got to call a good game), but short of that he was great. He was funny, he was learning the game, he was able to relate the game to stuff outside the game, and when the game got dull (which was every single game for him) he could vamp on any subject on the floor.
17 posted on 08/20/2003 3:45:00 PM PDT by discostu (just a tuna sandwich from another catering service)
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To: Trailer Trash
The Left will go nuts.....The last thing they want is Rush to appear intelligent and witty to millons of football fans.Who then might start listening to his radio show because they discovered he was nothing like what the Left has portrayed him to be.
18 posted on 08/20/2003 3:52:45 PM PDT by HP8753 (My cat hates static electricity....)
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To: Trailer Trash
2:1 he doesn't make it through the entire season? Any takers?
19 posted on 08/20/2003 3:55:31 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter (...they led my people astray, saying, "Peace!" when there was no peace -- Ezekiel 13:10)
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To: Straight Vermonter
I'll take it. 10:1 says he becomes a hit and gets his own show. He says he hates TV because of the prep time, but that might change.
20 posted on 08/20/2003 4:00:18 PM PDT by PatrioticAmerican (Helping Mexicans invade America is TREASON!)
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