Donovan McNabb is Right

CNSNews.com ^ | October 1, 2003 | Scott Hogenson

[Moosejaw]

There is much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the comments of a sports broadcaster about a pro athlete.

Normally, sports broadcasters have pretty wide latitude in their commentary and the athletes often demonstrate a fairly think skin. After all, most professional athletes get far worse treatment from fans, so the occasional unflattering remark by sports writers and commentators is pretty small potatoes.

But when the broadcaster is a conservative icon and the athlete is a person of color, the landscape alters, providing another opportunity for liberals in and out of the media to bash away on conservatism and insinuate racism.

We're talking about Rush Limbaugh who, during the September 28 broadcast of ESPN's 'Sunday NFL Countdown' show, on which he is a commentator, spoke less than flatteringly about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"I don't think he's been that good from the get go," said Limbaugh of McNabb. "I think what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well, black coaches and quarterbacks doing well."

In response to Limbaugh's comments, McNabb is quoted as telling the Philadelphia Daily News , "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal."

In this respect, I have to thoroughly agree with McNabb; it is sad that we have to go so skin color in this day and age. The problem is that his observation is both naive and too narrow.

I call it naive because there is and has been for many years a tremendous amount of "social concern," in America about whether blacks in any profession "do well." Congress is "very desirous" that blacks in America do well, so we have affirmative action laws on the books.

The Supreme Court of the United States feels similarly, ruling earlier this year that the University of Michigan can continue to use race rather than merit in determining who may attend its law school.

This is indeed a sad commentary on 21st Century America, as McNabb rightly asserts. Affirmative action presumes that blacks and other minorities don't have the wherewithal to succeed on their own, a terrible and, frankly, racist assumption.

Some argue that affirmative action is necessary to overcome many long years of prejudice and oppression, but in application, the practice favors one class of citizens over another based only on race, all the while perpetuating a culture of victimhood that's essential to the advancement of socialist policy. It also hurts efforts to improve race relations by creating artificial, government-sanctioned divides between groups of people.

Presuming that Donovan McNabb truly believes what he says about Limbaugh's ESPN remarks, what he ought to now do is take it to the next level.

McNabb should take his message to the hierarchy of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the halls of Congress and state legislatures, and other organizations that perpetuate racial victimhood and make the case that, "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal."

Scott Hogenson is executive editor of CNSNews.com.

[gaspar]

Yeah, the endzone drunken bum, foulmouthed, worldloser types who spend all their disposal income on a vicarious experience that most don't remember by the fourth quarter.

[dwd1]

I think the analysis of his sports skills is within reason... I think what few here like to acknowledge is that Rush's problem is that he never misses an opportunity to look for and criticize black people... That may or may not be racist but it definitely not a good attitude....
He thinks the worst of most of us at every opportunity and then hides behind his conservative ideals....

Also, please tell me why he does not express this same attitude toward Jason Sehorn (he was the only white cornerback until he got converted to safety)...

As I have said before, some here may think that conservative means that you speak your mind and I am OK with that, but stand up and take responsibility for it.... I also know that he finds so much fault with black people because he is looking for it... If he is going to be a sports commentator, then do so.... but Jimmy the Greek and others should move over because they have company in their holding of less than polite views....

Conservative needs to mean consistent as well as all the other things that go with it....

[iranger]

I can't wait to see McNairs stats after facing a legit defense in New England.

[Willie Green]

More like the type who would drop-kick your pansy-butt through
the uprights from 45-yards out just for using the word "vicarious".
Stick to your barbie-dolls, honey. Football is a MAN's sport.

[alrea]

every white player in the nba is overrated

[discostu]

You say that like it's a bad thing. Getting drunk and swearing while watching sports is a right of passage, an American tradition, a sacred duty.

[em2vn]

"....the athlete is a person of color,...."
Isn't this another way of saying a colored person?

[jps098]

I completely disagree. His knowledge is far above many "sports" media types and I am sick of all the Political Correctness in sports today. These social issues are present whether we like it or not. It least he's not like Jim Rome that takes the PC view of every social issue and tags "Bigot" on anyone who doesn't toe the PC line.

[Rockitz]

This controversy reminds me of how overated Notre Dame is every year in football because there are so many catholic sportswriters. It would be nice to see a comparison of preseason ranking and postseason ranking for Division 1 schools over the years to see if my hunch is true. I suspect it's pretty close to right on.

[em2vn]

"Football is WAR."
I've played football and I've been in combat. Football is a fu%^&ng tea party for fairies by comparison. Football is only a game, no war or religion involved, just the end of the game, a shower and off to a party.

[Willie Green]

Football is a fu%^&ng tea party for fairies by comparison.

Gee.... no fooling....
I thought I had acknowledged that when I said "Yes, there are rules to abide by that make it a somewhat more civilized substitute for war"
You should watch those knee-jerk overreactions.
Someone may mistake you for a liberal.

[lepton]

Now I know that Rush Limbaugh is doing commentary on ESPN.

[big'ol_freeper]

big'ol_ping

[lepton]

Rush's problem is that he never misses an opportunity to look for and criticize black people..

Really?

Have you listened to him at all when he's not talking about liberals? Heck, he's even said good things about Jesse Jackson - as Mr. Jackson has been when he's not drinking the Democrat Kool-aid.

[RightWhale]

I just listened to Rush explain himself over this. He did so quite eloquently.

Yeah, he will probably be okay after 3 years in re-education camp. If he were in hagh screwl he would have to sit in the corner the rest of the day. He is just out of step with the times.

[ilgipper]

This is indeed a sad commentary on 21st Century America, as McNabb rightly asserts

The saddest commentary I've seen in a long while is the NFL policy on hiring coaches, and requiring a black coach is interviewed. That rule is what frightens me. I gained a hell of a lot of respect of the Ford family when they spoke out against this reprehensible policy. A team is going to hire the best available coach to fit in their system, regardless of race.

If Dennis Green isn't the right guy for the job, he won't get it. Now that he is being contacted for every opening, it doesn't solve any race issue, only makes him feel like a chump.

[dwd1]

I have listened to him because I believe in expressing an informed opinion...

My major problem with him is that he will not engage opposing points of view unless he controls the microphone...

That to me is a bit cowardly...

And I doubt if he has the courage to express his opinions to Donovan McNabb face to face or on a sports program where he is not in charge of the mic...


I am not saying that he does not say good things about anyone including black people... I am saying that he does not seem to pass up an op to say something negative.... I have seen this re Kobe, Tupac, and a variety of other issues... It is like there is a presumption of guilt or negativity.... Yes, he can get along with Walter Williams and those who agree with him but he looks for the bad in our community and he finds it.... Seek and ye shall find....

Jesse Jackson seems to be the name that always gets invoked to justify Rush's attitude... I hold both of them in contempt....

[Isolationist]

I don’t know where you come from – but what I get out where I live – Rush "sports knowledge" is severely lacking and Rush’s commendatory on ESPN shows how much he is lacking.

Why did McNabb get good press...well because he put up good numbers and brought excitement back to the Eagles – not because of the color of skin. His numbers have steadily increased since joining the league and last year he ranks as a Top 5 NFL QB and I believe he made the Pro Bowl.

Rush should stick to what he knows best and that is politics – the past four weeks he has proven to me he is a complete buffoon when it comes to football knowledge – even from a “fan’s perspective”.

[Ancient_Pistoll]

His stats weren't great when they played last year, but
the final score sure was...24-7 in favour of the Titans.

[gaspar]

Football may be a man's sport, but endzone football spectators are insecure of their manhood.