ESPN's NFL Show Goes On, With an Apology...not to Rush, of course.

NEW YORK (AP) -- ESPN's NFL pregame show returned Sunday with an apology - and without Rush Limbaugh - a week after the commentator's race-tinged comments about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Panelists Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Steve Young and Michael Irvin took criticism from the media, as well as McNabb, for not responding when Limbaugh suggested on the Sept. 28 "Sunday NFL Countdown" show that McNabb was overrated because the media wants to see a black quarterback succeed.

"Do I wish that I had caught it in hindsight? Absolutely," Jackson said Sunday. "Do I regret that I didn't? Yes. But I'm human. Mostly, I regret that I missed it for Donovan McNabb's sake. I regret that."

Limbaugh resigned from the show Wednesday, and later said he was leaving so the sports network's employees would be spared the uproar over his remarks. He denied that his comments were racially motivated.

On Sunday, following a video recap of the happenings of the past week - including a replay of Limbaugh's original comments - the ESPN panelists offered their thoughts on the controversy.

Though they agreed that someone should have responded to Limbaugh right away, Young compared it to viewing game film the week after having missed an open receiver in the end zone.

"We all missed it. I missed it. And the truth is, everyone at ESPN missed it," the former quarterback said.

"Rush Limbaugh is known for the divisive nature of his rhetoric," Jackson said. "He creates controversy, and what he said Sunday is the same type of thing that he said on radio for years."

Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pregame show that he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived from the start.

"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."

McNabb, who was outspoken about being disturbed by the lack of argument from the other panelists, didn't seem to be holding a grudge against the network.

Later in the program, he participated in a humorous segment where a woman who follows feng shui said the Eagles new stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, had good vibes.

I guess I've been around here for about 6 years or so now. Time sure flies!

When Jim Robinson started this site, it was because he was fed up with the liberal media, and how they would not let people worldwide know about the corruption of the Clinton Administration. A few of us, equally concerned, (with great luck) found it fast.

In the early days, FR was a day-to-day operation, always on the brink of bankruptcy. Jim kept on, and we chipped in when it became too much. We knew how important this site was, and is. Sometimes, it came down to the wire, and we wrote checks, and sent them in, as best we could.

Look at it now. We all get our best information from this site. It is huge, with thousands of posters, and millions of readers. Yet Jim still keeps it alive because of his conviction, and he is absolutely NOT making a profit on it. He just believes. As do we.

BTW, did you know that the founder of this site is in a wheelchair (sorry Jim; I know you think it doesn't make a r*ts a$$ difference. Hey, some folks out there need to come down a peg, like I have.).

Think of it! In the darkest days of the Clinton Administration, there was a lone internet site where people with integrity, brains, and sheer gumption could discuss the dangers faced by the US. Not on CNN, for sure.

Earthmovers like Drudge, Ann Coulter, Rush, WFBuckley, his brother, Savage, Buchanan, both houses of Congress (many) check in to see what we think.

The opposition checks it out, too. Like the NY times staff, CNN, AFL-CIO, China, etc. Trust me, they all come here to read. Even YOUR post. You know by now how they are whining about Rush? We're next, as soon as they figure out how they can trash this site without it getting a million hits.

I've been broke; I've been not broke. I've slept in my car. I know how it feels to be squeezed tight with bills. Folks with giant bills: You're not alone, and you have friends here. :)

If you love this site as much as I do, please, please sign up for automatic payment of just $3 per month. Don't be embarrassed if you think this is too little. It absolutely is not. You $3 a month folks are our grassroots movement heroes. Be proud. Become one of the thousand points of light here, and you will so feel proud every month. We'll thank you for it, and are so glad to have you on board.

I know things are rough out there. But you are tough, and a member of the greatest grassroots freedom movement in 100 years. Together we are making history, and will change the world, as we already have. The best is yet to come.

Most countries out there would consider this website illegal. They hate us, for our freedom. Their systems cannot stand, in the face of Freedom. The people there read us when they can, when they are “allowed” to, and are not being tortured. They flock to us, America, because they want to be free. Help us help them.

Would you please, please consider signing up for just $3 a month? Please? That’s all it takes, really, believe it or not. You will make a world of difference, to, well, the world. Be proud, Americans, and please help out!

Check out Ralph Wiley's take on the Rush situation that's posted at ESPN com. He feels the need to insult Johhny Unitas. Wonder if fans of Johnny U will ask for Ralphy to be fired.

"Let us crush two notions with one stone. First is the notion that quarterbacks are paragons of intelligence who hang in the pocket until the last minute to deliver passes in their down time from composing sonnets and concertos and writing motivational speeches for businessmen and splitting the atom. Oh, please. Really.

Four of the five best quarterbacks ever were Johnny Unitas, John Elway, Joe Montana and Steve Young. Of the four, Unitas might have been the best football player. Definitely he would have score the lowest on the SAT. There are mushrooms that would have scored higher on the SAT. Unitas was no genius. No book genius. No verbal genius. As far as being "pocket passers," the term is used for white quarterback in media; but that is simply the classic quarterback pose if that QB is on a team good enough to consistently form an impregnable pocket around him."

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