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.

[Babalu]

No doubt ... but since some in the media perceive that he is in a so-called slump because he hasn't won any majors this year, he's dropped off their "messiah" list.

[steve8714]

If Kordell had the smarts of Randle-El, he would be a big star.
The Rams should have drafted El instead of loser Eric Crouch.

[KarlInOhio]

Blake (Arizona) - While with the Bungles he proved that laying on your back or running for your life is no way to QB a pro football team. I haven't paid attention to how he is doing in Arizona this year.

[steve8714]

and Springer is scripted.

[VRWCmember]

member since 10/01/2003 - you joined up today to defend clark and dis Rush?

Does anyone smell a troll?

[LS]

The other guys didn't 'take Limbaugh on' because he was right.

[gore_sux]

I live in Viking land and I desperately want Daunte Culpepper to continue to ride the bench in favor of Gus.

I guess I'm a racist for thinking that.

[aruanan]

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

Well, we know Wesley has something large enough to accomodate a Humvee.

[motzman]

How come no one cared, in fact most thought it was funny that Jason Sehorn was constantly mocked about being a white cornerback?

Why, I distinctly remember watching a Fox segment a few years back when Sehorn was asked about this multiple times, numerous black teammates and opponents all talked about how they joked around about it and made fun of him, calling him "white-boy" this and "white-boy" that...

And Sehorn had to maintain an "aw-shucks" attitude the whole time. I guess having Angie Harmon as a wife can keep you calm.

Wrong or right, it's a good topic of discussion, and the Eagles player(s) that had been threatening Rush should be fined.

[almcbean]

He made a mistake and his biggest character flaw is that he never admits mistakes, he just excuses and rationalizes.
The mistake he made is this-he inserted a political statement into his sports analysis. And now we have to listen to him talk about his sports gig on his political talk show. I find his political analyses getting shallower anyway, and listen to him less, and I don't have cable so I don't have to listen to endless sports blather either.

[steve8714]

McNabb's QB rating is toward the bottom. His career rating is in the high '70s, which is not lighting it up. He however has a situational talent in running ability which makes him a feared red zone player, and a durability I wish Kurt Warner had.
He is, however, not yet seasoned. Gannon at this stage of his career had similar stats and couldn't find a starting job.

[dwd1]

If a black commentator made the same comments about a white boxer, i would think he is a racist... boxing and football always comes down to the men in the ring and the field...

I am not familiar with Rush's Athletic or military credentials but I would politely suggest that he have stepped about 3 miles out of bounds... This is something he can do on his show but he should have made the overrated comment and left it there...He crossed the line and he knows it...

However, his lack of contrition will probably help his radio show ratings so maybe he took lessons from Anna Nicole Smith, Dennis Rodman, and Madonna in how to be a person that half the people agree with you and the other half loves to hate you and can't look away.... Good marketing but you will forgive me if I thing he is not a good person in this particular situation....

[steve8714]

Rush has had a good run. In any case, what he said cannot be disproved either.

[cake_crumb]

Is this a last gasp effort to get some sales in order to keep this socialist rag in business? This is as phony as the CIA story. In FACT, it's very SIMILAR to the phony CIA story.

Hmmmm....yeah, it fits. Why stop at using lies to destroy the Bush administration? Especially since they seem to feel this particular grouping of lies has a chance of working. Rush obviously scares the tar out of the left and they feel the need to use the same tactic on him too.

I herebye add this play to the book and label it the "Propaganda Pincer"

[af_vet_1981]

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

The retired Army general is dangerous if given any power or influence.

[SengirV]

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

That is an example of really bad logic. Let me get on national TV and say the following 'blacks evolved from monkeys and whites evolved from angels' I wonder if there would be outrage over that? If there is ANY outrage, then it must be true to some degree. Sheeeezzzz Rush, you are an F'ing idiot.

[gore_sux]

"Mcnabb's record supports that he is a very good quarterback."

McNabb is average at best and that was Rush's point; he only has one year with a quarterback rating over 85 and that was the year his season was cut short due to injury. He is definitely not worthy of any MVP trophy during any year of his career.

I think the Philly fans are the best judges of his performance; they booed him of the field last week.

[steve8714]

Tiger himself hyped the majors as yardstick for his career. I do not drink the purple, so I ask, if he is not winning, what yardstick for greatness? Stroke Average? Tom Kite alert!

[MeekOneGOP]

Click HERE or on the pic to hear the Rolling Thunder !

[cake_crumb]

The General who earlier also stated that his idea of "faith based inititive" was Pure Science
and also sprang into his "Wizard of Oz" song that if he were kiiiiing of the foooorest" He would make it a priority to break the speed of light barrier so that he could go back in time.

Only bird cage linings with aspirations to be serious publications give a fig what a psychopath like Wussley has to say.