ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown thread (Rush update)

10/05/03 | Andy from Beaverton

[Andy from Beaverton]

Is anybody watching the show? Can you believe what they are saying? Talking about stabing someone in the back!

[Night Hides Not]

Nice letter. I hope they actually read it.

See what I think ESPN fails to realize is that there are more of us out there whom like Rush and respect his views than there are of NFL Countdown fans.

Everybody that works for Sunday Countdown better renegotiate their contracts now, while their ratings are still good. Starting at 10:15 CST today, they saw the last of their good ratings, courtesy of Rush's fans.

ESPN can kiss their demographics goodbye!

[Shaka]

Anyone have a link of the clip? Anyone?

[Humbug]

I understand your point, but again i believe that Rush believed that anything within the realm of the sporting world was fair game...whether touching upon politics or not. You're right that it would probably have gone over better if he had broached this at some later date when everyone had gotten used to him and perhaps after he had lavished praise upon other black quarterbacks. For instance, i've read that he has spoken very highly of McNair (sp?) in the past on his radio show and so if he had done that on an earlier Countdown show before getting into whether McNabb was perhaps something less than the football god he had been made out to be, then maybe the PC people wouldn't have been so critical and wouldn't have looked at what he said in the worst possible light.

However, having said all that, this illustrates exactly what is wrong with our society today and exactly how tryannical the left can be when free speech is used in ways they doesn't meet their stamp of approval. There is no reason whatsoever, especially in a free country that we supposedly live in, that Rush should have had to worry about speaking his mind anywhere - particularly when he had no ill intent behind what he said. In my opinion those that should be ashamed are ESPN for caving in and also the media for getting so holier-than-thou about this and casting Rush as some sort of villain. There was no balanced reporting, or very little at least (you had to go out of your way to find any), instead mostly only shouting and buckling under by print and radio types for fear they too might be branded racist if they appeared to be doing anything other than jumping on the Bash Rush bandwagon.

In a healthy society there would have been open debate instead of trying to stifle it with neverending vitriol. ESPN might even have set up a debate between Rush and Tom Jackson in order to air out their differences. Or Rush and some sports reporter if they felt that would be a fairer matchup. Either way ratings would have rocketed for ESPN and more importantly dialogue would have opened up about these issues rather than being swept under the rug again and pretending that there is only one correct view to have and that everything else is barbaric at best. Instead of that though we were presented once more with chilling evidence that those who don't have the PC lingo down pat are essentially rendered 2nd class citizens who constantly run the risk of being booted from their jobs or forced to resign should they innocently offend those who are constantly on the lookout for things they can be offended by.

In short, maybe Rush should have approached this more cautiously given the times we live in. But it is a sad commentary on the times we live in then that he should have to do so. Freedom of speech and freedom of thought got kicked around this past week, not just Rush, and that's what sickens me the most.

[restornu]

You're damn right Rush isn't now, he screwed up. He might have been but he proved that 15 hours a week isn't enough, he must put forth his politics in even when the forum is inappropriate, even when he promised not to

***

BTW You are confusing the concept of promise!

The sports Media is always spouting PC, Rush was calling them on it!

So even PC effects sports and at times is the causing the downfall of sports!

Because your not into pic's here one for you!

[lepton]

And that idiot Tom Jackson with the " a little boy called me to ask if it was OK to be a black quarterback"

Such a comment as was ascribed to the boy is not derivable from what Limbaugh said. It is, however, perfectly derivable from the game of "telephone" that was broadcast in the form of interviews of football players who clearly hadn't heard what Limbaugh actually said.

If they were really interested in making that kid feel it was "O.K. for a black to be a quarterback", they would not have allowed the coverage to become so fictional. Instead they were determined to make it "Limbaugh vs. blacks."

[woodyinscc]

I just sent ESPN this message

I was not a viewer of your NFL Pre Game Show until you made Mr. Limbaugh a member of your panel. After last week I will no longer be a viewer. You may take solace in the fact that you have not lost a viewer you never had, but you should be disheartened, for not having gained one.

[CounterCounterCulture]

And I would recommend people taking the high road and explain clear-headedly and concisely why ESPN and the commentators are in the wrong. Why there is a double-standard on talking about race. Why the media is part of the problem and how they stir up the racial harmony pot. The points Limbaugh was trying to raise and how it's ludicrous and insulting to paint Limbaugh as divisive and racist. How we need an honest dialogue on race and not phony racial pandering.

[oldvike]

I saw it. I can safely say that Tom Jackson is a piece of s#$t. The guy was acting like somebody shot his dog then punched him in the face. Screw'em.

[F.J. Mitchell]

I Agree unconditionally. Affirmative action is to minority individuals who achieve success the old fashioned way, by earning it-exactly what amnesty for illegal aliens is to immigrants who immigrate lawfully. Penalization for achievement, and a slap in the face for respecting the law of the land.

[stevio]

You forgot to mention that Tom Jackson is a racist. ;^)

[F.J. Mitchell]

How much did ESPN pay you to suffer through that BS? Or are you a masochist? What the suck arses are said to have said about what Rush said, was to be expected. Jobs for over the hill brain damaged mediocre jocks are scarce and few could qualify for a skilled job like flipping burgers.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

And Rush regards these people as friends! Hell, with friends like that I'd need painkillers, too.

Looking at it another way. If Rush thought Jackson was his friend, well he must be on drugs. Rush probably took half a bottle after that show.

[jd777]

In some cases, yes. There are smear campaigns. Is that what you think this is? There's nothing to it?

[harpo11]

I saw the first few cowardly minutes of the show. Glad Rush resigned. If I had to work with a bunch of dithering weenies I'd quit, too.

This will be the last time I even glance at the ESPN NFL Sunday Countdown.

[Fraulein]

And yet Rush made it a point to nonetheless speak well of all these men on Friday's show.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"There are smear campaigns. Is that what you think this is? There's nothing to it?"

I would bet the farm on it.

[nutmeg]

And I would recommend people taking the high road and explain clear-headedly and concisely why ESPN and the commentators are in the wrong. Why there is a double-standard on talking about race. Why the media is part of the problem and how they stir up the racial harmony pot. The points Limbaugh was trying to raise and how it's ludicrous and insulting to paint Limbaugh as divisive and racist. How we need an honest dialogue on race and not phony racial pandering.

VERY well stated, CCC!

Once again FReepers, here's the link to e-mail ESPN with your comments (you will get an automatic reply immediately when you submit your comments):

Send ESPN an e-mail!

[Theophilus]

Race is the great face mask, you can only touch your own unless you're a back (please note: no "l") and you're siff-arming a lineman. Nobody wants "race blindness" anymore, now the objective is merely "race dumbness": unless you're negotiating a contract or looking for a head coach.

Two Predictions:
1. McNabb's next football card will contain cool pics, front and back, no stats - stats are racist.
2. A biographical miniseries about Limbaugh titled: "White Men Can't Jive" in which the formative Rush generates fear, loathing and indignity all around by shouting the N-word in crowded dark theaters for childhood kicks.

[nutmeg]

Excellent e-mail to ESPN. I reminded them also I would no longer be among their viewers. I sincerely hope Sunday NFL Countdown TANKS.. big time!

[jd777]

Nothing to it, eh? Based on Rush's reaction..." I can't comment to I know what I'm dealing with"... I might take that bet.