An investment group that includes Rush Limbaugh has prompted a handful of owners and players to protest the group’s bid to buy a stake in the St. Louis Rams football franchise.
Some object to Rush’s opinion about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Six years ago, Rush commented, “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.” For a league that requires franchises to interview minority candidates for coaching positions (the Rooney Rule), there is evidence that the NFL, as well as the media covering the league, is sensitive about race.
As a private organization, the NFL has a right to determine how franchises conduct changes in ownership. The Limbaugh group’s proposal will be put to a vote of existing owners and would have to be approved by 24 of the 32 teams. Colts owner Jim Irsay has already declared that he would vote against the proposal, based – not on the strength of the proposal or the financial assets of the investors – but on the fact that Limbaugh is a partner in the group. That seems a bit rash.
Limbaugh’s motives are admirable. The Rams are terrible and terrible teams always face the prospect of skipping town. As a Missouri native, Rush simply wants to keep an NFL franchise in St. Louis. There are a number of cities that would love to have an NFL franchise and would not give a second thought to moving the Rams out of St. Louis.
Anyway, you have to chuckle at the fact that the NFL, a league that employs numerous convicted felons and few role models (see note below), is trying to appear to “take the high road” in this situation.
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Note: Travis Henry now has 11 kids by 10 women. The website, which has not been updated recently, reported that Henry has 9 kids by 9 women.
