Rush Limbaugh Resigns

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Wednesday, October 1

Limbaugh resigns from NFL show

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ESPN.com news services


In the wake of his controversial statements regarding Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Rush Limbaugh has resigned from his position on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown pregame show. ESPN has accepted the resignation.

Limbaugh issued a statement late Wednesday night in which he wrote:

"My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated. I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret.

"I love NFL Sunday Countdown and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it.

"Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen."

George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN and ABC Sports, issued the following response:

"We accept his resignation and regret the circumstances surrounding this. We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously."

The comments referenced by Limbaugh came during Sunday's pregame show on ESPN when the conservative talk show host offered the opinion that McNabb wasn't as good as the media perceived him 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."

Negative reaction did not come immediately. But on Tuesday, McNabb told the Philadelphia Daily News: "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal."

From there, the firestorm spread quickly. Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Rev. Al Sharpton called for ESPN to fire Limbaugh. Others in both political and athletic circles also lashed out at Limbaugh's comments.

The National Association of Black Journalists also called for ESPN to "separate itself" from Limbaugh.

""ESPN's credibility as a journalism entity is at stake," NABJ president Herbert Lowe said in a news release. "It needs to send a clear signal that the subjects of race and equal opportunity are taken seriously at its news outlets."

McNabb also provided more reaction on Wednesday.

"It's somewhat shocking to hear that on national TV from him," McNabb said. "It's not something that I can sit here and say won't bother me."

Limbaugh turned down requests to appear on SportsCenter on Wednesday. But earlier in the day on his syndicated radio talk show, he refused to back down.

"All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something," Limbaugh said. "If I wasn't right, there wouldn't be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community."

Wednesday night, ESPN issued a statement that, in part, read, "We have communicated to Mr. Limbaugh that his comments were insensitive and inappropriate."

Limbaugh's resignation was officially announced just before midnight ET.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.</font>
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<font color=deepskyblue>Personally, I never knew how Rush Limbaugh qualified as an NFL Analyst in the first place. As right-conservative as I am, I can't stand to listen to his political rants. The paragraph near the bottom where he defends his comments on his talk show by saying the only reason the controversy erupted was because he must be right is a perfect example of the supreme arrogance that I find so repulsive in the man. I don't know what prompted ESPN to ever hire him in the first place, but I'm very glad to see him gone.</font>

<font color=orange>I couldn't either Cerek. Rush bored me to tear to listen to him. I always thought G. Gordon Liddy was much more entertaining! My impression of Rush has always been that he LOVES to hear himself talk.

Add to this the story I heard on the radio this morning that some tabloid is reporting he has a problem with prescription pain killers and you may have to ask how long before Rush retires?

Maybe I'm missing something, but this don't seem racist to me. He simply said a certain player was getting overhyped by the media. There's nothing wrong in saying this.

It's not as if he said black people could not be good players.

Sadly, we all know that corporations and other public entities often have quotas to fill when it come to recruiting people of different ethnicity.

I think this has more to do with his political opinions and his numerous ennemies than it has to do with his comment. It's only an excuse to get rid of him.

Wow...I have to admit Luvian, you're one of the last people I'd expect to find defending Rush Limbaugh. [img]smile.gif[/img] But good post, I say. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I've looked over the quote as well...the WHOLE quote, IN CONTEXT(same one you quoted), and I agree. I dont see that it's racist in any way. He's commenting on the sports media's desperate attempt to make an idol out of a black QB. That's not racist IMO, just the simple truth. But I agree. He will be demonized(again) by people who will get all in a lather and take his quotes out of context(on purpose). C'est La Vie(sp?)...I'm still a fan.

Another quote, also by Mr Limbaugh, which sums up the issue pretty well.

I actually wasn't aware that he was on Sunday Countdown though(dont watch enough ESPN, I guess). I dont know...while I am a fan of him, and his radio show, and was really excited at the prospect of him as color man for Monday Night Football(hey...I like Dennis Miller, but, lets fact it, his humor is a little...obscure for the average Monday Night Football crowd). He's good at color commentary...but as for analysis...I have to agree. I dont think that's a good place for him to be. Too bad he has to leave under the veil of this silly 'contreversy' though.

How, funny, the ONE TIME in his career Rush said something true, and he had to resign for it. [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/whackya.gif[/img]

<font color=deepskyblue>I have to agree. It isn't unusual for <font color=red>Luvian</font> and I to disagree, but each of us seems to be on the opposite side of the issue than would be expected this time.

<font color=deepskyblue>I have to disagree with you here, <font color=dodgerblue>Nachtrafe</font>. If McNabb were the ONLY black quarterback being playing in the NFL on a good team, Rush Limbaugh may have a point. But there Dante Culpepper, Michael Vick, and Steve McNair out there also. ALL of these guys have done great things for their teams and recieved the appropriate praise for their efforts. McNabb has also. His success is NOT just a product of media hype. He HAS made the plays at Philadelphia in the past. He HAS gone to the Pro Bowl several times, and he HAS won several football games on the strength of his physical skills. The media could hype him all they want, but if he wasn't actually delivering, the public would see through it in a heartbeat.

You know, normally, I would be the one defending Limbaugh in this case and saying that - in the context - his statement wasn't racist. While I agree that he intended to target the media rather than black quarterbacks, there are a plethora of ways he could have done it without saying that the media is practically bending over backwards to praise a black football player simply because he is black. The fact is, however, that McNabb has earned the praise based on his past performance. As <font color=coral>Rokenn</font> might say, if you can't see at least an implied racist attitude in his comment, then I don't see any other way to point it out.</font>

</font>[/QUOTE]<font color=deepskyblue>Sorry, but Rush Limbaugh has done plenty to humiliate himself and destroy his reputation without requiring the assistance of the "arbiters". He doesn't need any help. He does a fine job of it on his own.</font>

</font>[/QUOTE]Now there is something that the Dixie Chicks could agree with! I wonder what Rush thought of them? ;) :D

Factually correct, but Rush is (1) allowed to have his opinion as a commentator as to the guy's abilities and (2) is allowed to speculate on reasons for what he sees as a mis-perception about the guy. Independent of the other QB's, it is completely true that the media tries to hype minority QB's, as there are precious few of them. I don't know why movies can point this out (e.g. Any Given Sunday) in a fictional setting but commentators can not speak of it as a reality. [img]graemlins/noevil.gif[/img]

So, while Limbaugh may be wrong as to the guy's ability (seems to me most would agree he is NOT), he is right about the media's hyping of QB's. He stated this, and now has to resign?? Look, it's a fair point he makes -- that successful blacks are often hyped, resulting in an increased perception of their ability, resulting in increased expectations of them that may be unfair.

Anyone see Law & Order last night? Same premise -- different circumstances. A black reporter fabricated interviews because the pressure he was under to be the best (e.g. he kept getting promoted up the ladder too fast for his experience) was more than he was capable of living up to.

[ 10-02-2003, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]