Limbaugh stands by McNabb race remarks

AP | 10/01/03 | ROB MAADDI

[kattracks]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rush Limbaugh insisted Wednesday he had "no racist intent whatsoever" in saying the media have overrated the Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb because they want to see a black quarterback succeed.

In fact, the conservative commentator said he must have been right; otherwise, the comments would not have sparked such outrage.

Limbaugh offered no apology, and McNabb said it was too late for one anyway.

"I'm sure he's not the only one that feels that way, but it's somewhat shocking to actually hear that on national TV," the NFL star said. "An apology would do no good because he obviously thought about it before he said it."

Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pregame show that he did not think McNabb was as good as he was perceived to be.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well," Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

Limbaugh did not back down during his syndicated radio talk show Wednesday.

He reiterated that he does not think McNabb is a bad player, just that he isn't as good as some members of the media think he is.

"This is such a mountain out of a molehill," he said. "There's no racism here, there's no racist intent whatsoever."

"All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something," he said. "If I wasn't right there wouldn't be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community."

On Wednesday, Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark said Limbaugh should be fired. The retired Army general called the remarks "hateful and ignorant speech."

The NFL disclaimed any responsibility for Limbaugh's remarks.

"ESPN knew what it was getting when they hired Rush Limbaugh," league vice president Joe Browne said. "ESPN selects its on-air talent, not the NFL."

ESPN spokesman Dave Nagle said he did not believe the comments were racially biased. "He was comparing McNabb's performance on the field to his reputation in the media," Nagle said.

Chris Berman, who anchors the ESPN show, said he did not believe Limbaugh's tone or intent was malicious. "As cut and dry as it seems in print, I didn't think so when it went by my ears," he said. "I probably should have looked to soften it."

McNabb, who was runner-up for the MVP award in 2000 and has led the Eagles to two straight conference championship games, said he has no quarrel with Limbaugh's comment on his playing ability. "I know I played badly the first two games," he said.

But McNabb said that the comments about his race were out of bounds and added that someone on the show should have taken Limbaugh on. Among the other panelists were former players Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson, both of whom are black.

"I'm not pointing at anyone but someone should have said it," McNabb said of the panelists, who also include Berman and Steve Young. "I wouldn't have cared if it was the cameraman."

A decade ago, there were few black quarterbacks in the NFL. This season, 10 of the 32 teams will have started black quarterbacks in at least one game.

Limbaugh has helped increase the ratings for "Sunday NFL Countdown." Nagle said ratings are up 10 percent overall. Sunday's show drew its biggest audience in the regular season since 1996.

Limbaugh is the radio host of the politically focused "Rush Limbaugh Show," which is syndicated in more than 650 markets worldwide.

[Bommer]

Hey at least there is an education on my part. I was smart enough to backup my talk. Apparently smart enough to know McNabb barely rates as mediocre All you can do is rant and dream and believe it to be fact. You can't back up your your talk. Face it, you have no clue on football. Smart man who has facts and stats, vs. clueless dullard who dreams McNabb was going to score 107 touchdowns and rush for 3000 yards, if not for a 2002 injury!!! BWAAHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Face it punk, your out of your league battling wits with my superior intelligence!

[Almondjoy]

Your post said it all.. thanks for proving my point.

[Bommer]

That your a dumbass? Well at least we're at agreement!

[185JHP]

After Cosell's "little monkey go" comment, it was discovered that he had been known to use the term"little monkey" in reference to a male relative of his, who was white. The media did not over-cover that fact - wonder why?

[Almondjoy]

You speak well when beaten.. I mean we've already gone in circles about how a QB is affected by players around him and also by the type of offense he is.. SF west coast offense vs. Carolina run 40 times ball control offense. Seems you aren't here learn.. just try to pretend your right.

[Bommer]

Your $115 million hero just scored his first touchdown after 4 games,(congraduations. Money well spent) and threw 2 interceptions, and still the defense managed to pull off the win. But let see you put your balls (if you have any) on the table. Lets see how far your arguments go against a philly writer and virtually every freeper that seems to be more knowledgeable then you when it comes to McNabb and football in general. Time to put up or shut up! Come on, you can put these freepers in their place can't you? Somehow I think your going to come back with the lame excuses you you seem to be full of because you know your not smart enough to win. Once again, you loose!

[Almondjoy]

Hmmm after reading it.. I guess you'll read into what you will.. the link provides to overall anaylsis of McNabb.. but in fact praises the guy for his toughness(playing a game on a broken leg). You just don't get it do you?

[Bommer]

Is that what gets you $115 million over 12 years? Toughness? Gee I always thought it was to get a team to the Superbowl through acurate passing and being able to score to win more games in your division? As I remember the press isn't fawning over McNabbs toughness. They are fawning over him being a GREAT (not medeocre) 1st rate quartback, not a 2nd string Quarterback! The writer once again (who also apparently watches games) see McNabb as below average. Funny how every argument you get beat in, you change the subject. And yet you didn't bother to challenge any one of the posters that agree with me. Interesting!

[Almondjoy]

I spend too much time with you.. and actually I shut down about 10 people who have responded to my comments with you. You are stuck in a space time warp or something I can't understand. Everytime I post to you, you never acknowledge anything I say. You blow right through it. Obviously because it doesn't serve your interests. I rebuke everything you say and you keep acting like your on top of the world.

In any case because you refuse to acknowledge the truth we have gotten way off subject. If you think McNabb is overrated that is an opinion and yours to have. I'm not trying to change your opinion. The reason why we are all here is because Rush commented that the liberal media makes him overrated. Then you go and post examples from some of the "liberal" media that says they think he's overrated too. Unfortunantly you have defeated your own arguement since everyone of those guys doesn't think Rush was right about race. They said some will always view him overrated more than others(apparently I one of those liberal media trypes that overrates him because he's black) but race has nothing to do with it.

Now please move on.. you bore me.

[Bommer]

WAAAAAA! WAAAAAA! You can't beat Mr. Logical so now you whine like a little b!tch that you are! BTW I checked. You didn't shout down nobody! AHHAHAHAHAHA! Try again punk! This time try to watch a football game. Oh by the way, just because they call it Soccer, doesn't make it football, so your watching the wrong game! Here's something to wear on your forehead. Your handle fits you. Later Loser!

L

[Almondjoy]

You are a child.. be gone with you.

[Bommer]

And your an unrepentant loser that runs away instead of backs up what he says!