The NFL Players Union has come out with a public statement opposing the purchase of the St. Louis Rams (Professional Football Team) by a group including Rush Limbaugh.
In addition, at least 7 African American Football Players have publicly stated that they would not play for the St. Louis Rams if Rush were part owner.
Link to ESPN article
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I've spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.
--DeMaurice Smith, in e-mail to union's executive committee
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I found this sentence most interesting:
We also know that there is an ugly part of history and we will not risk going backwards, giving up, giving in or lying down to it.
What I find ironic about the position that the NFL is taking is that many of the supporters, are also supporters of Rush. It has also amazed me that people who I know are racist can simply look the other way if it is a black person that is a star of their favorite sports franchise.
I'd be curious what a team owned by Rush would look like. Would it include black players? Black coaches? Black support personnel?
Update:
I was doing a little research on how many owners had to apporve franchise ownership, and I came across this interesting quote from the New York Daily News:
One NFL owner was not dismissing Rush Limbaugh's Rams ownership out of hand. "I would like to do my homework on him," he said. "I don't judge people on third party accounts or hearsay." One owner also brought up Limbaugh's past painkiller addiction as an issue that will have to be addressed. Although rich owners tend to be Republican, one owner said that would not help Limbaugh gain any votes in the room. "It won't make a difference," he said.
Wouldn't that be terrific if Rush were denied because he is a drug addict!
Update 2:
A point I completely forgot, as pointed out in the comments by LearningCurve, was that Rush was fired by ESPN for racist comments:
"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. 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."