How Rush Limbaugh gave America its Sundays back

American Thinker ^ | 10-18-09 | Neil Braithwaite

[smoothsailing]

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October 18, 2009

How Rush Limbaugh gave America its Sundays back

By Neil Braithwaite

Ever since I can remember, from my days as a young boy sitting beside my dad perched in front of the old black and white 25" console, to just last week watching my high-def 42" flat screen television, pro football has been the essence of my fall and winter Sundays. I'm sure this is also true for countless milions of other men across this great land.

But for many pro football loving men this past week, that came to a halt faster than the Cowboys' Walt Garrison on the goal line when hit by Washington Redskins' Kenny Houston on October 8, 1973. Go Redskins!

So what would persuad thousands of armchair quarterbacks to put down their remotes and walk away from their split-screen NFL Sunday utopias -- cold turkey?

Was it because the pro football game has gotten so boring and predictable? Did all their wives finally put their collective feet down? No. Countless men addicted to the NFL are walking away from pro football this week as a direct result of what transpired in the media during Rush Limbaugh's attempt to become a minority NFL owner.

Rush Limbaugh has attracted many male listeners over the years because of his staunch conservative views, unabashed humor and unapologetic manly attitude. It all makes for great male bonding. But the one thing that helps form a special bond between the big guy and many of his male listeners is Rush's love for pro football.

Rush is known for being a very passionate guy, so when he corroborated the story that he was a minority partner in a group trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams, he must have had some serious "game day" butterflies. Rush's pro football-loving listeners share his passion, so when they found out about his bid to become an NFL owner, they immediately began to root for their competitive friend to win. Go Rush!

Most Rush listeners know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would not only be great for the St. Louis Rams' organization and its players, but also ultimately be great for the NFL. They know that Rush is a strong competitor and would bring that "must win" attitude to the NFL. His love and respect for the game, its players and organizations have been on display for all America since his radio talk show became syndicated in August 1988. If Rush had become an NFL owner, many of his loyal listeners would have to enlarge their sentimental NFL team base to include the St. Louis Rams just because of Rush. Go Rush -- go Rams!

It was inevitable however, that Rush would get some flack about his stint as a commentator on ESPN and the whole Donovan McNabb story, but no one expected what ultimately transpired in the media because of his minority ownership bid.

In retrospect, the vicious and slanderous attacks that poured out on Rush from the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were to be expected. These two guys never miss an opportunity to sling a little racial slander and grab some limelight. But several liberals in the news media decided to get on board the slander train and that's when things started getting out of hand. Then some current and former NFL players along with a select group of the sports media decided to jump into the Rush feeding frenzy and things really began to go overboard. This band of ignorant and slanderous liberals attributed unthinkable racial statements to Rush without any definitive proof. The angry mob's accusations ultimately led to Rush's removal from the group bidding for the St. Louis NFL franchise.

But the story doesn't end there. Not one NFL owner or representative came out to denounce the uncivil tone and unfounded slanderous attacks made against Rush, who, as if they were too ignorant to know, happened to be one of the NFL's biggest supporters as well as a prospective owner. It was the ultimate responsibility of the NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, to put a stop to this nonsense. But did Goodell step forward? No. In fact, he did just the opposite and climbed on the slander train himself by saying that "divisive comments" would not be welcome in the league. Goodell's statement was reprehensible and became the straw the broke the camel's back for countless thousands of Rush supporters. It was game over -- adios NFL!

Unlike the NFL, in the game of life there are not always clearly defined winners and losers. However, in this tragic situation there are a few of each. The biggest losers are the NFL and the St. Louis Rams, who lost an opportunity to have an awesome new competitor and minority owner. The merry host of media slander slingers also lost the last bit of respect anyone may have ever had for them. And America just lost a little of what makes her the greatest country in the world -- civility, respect and fairness. Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, became a big winner in the eyes of his loyal listeners for the responsible and dignified manner in which he handled the whole situation.

But the biggest winners of all are the thousands of families throughout America who just got their husbands and fathers back on Sundays. Picnic anyone?

Neil Braithwaite is a Real Estate Broker and writer in Charlotte, NC. He writes political commentary and satire and is a regular contributor to PoliticalDerby.com. 

Page Printed from: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/how_rush_limbaugh_gave_america.html at October 18, 2009 - 01:16:21 AM EDT

[noblejones]

That’s me. I’m done with professional sports.

Still hoping they won’t take college football from me, but if I see on more Notre Dame promo touting “social justice” that may go too.

[FrdmLvr]

It won’t be hard not to watch the Lions.

[GeronL]

BUMP.

I can’t go cold turkey. But I never spend a dime on their merchandise anyway. This will probably be my last season giving a care.

[tubebender]

I happen to be a hugh RUSH fan and I don’t need the NFL anymore then I need the State Controlled News Media...

[TankerKC]

I don’t know how Rush can remain a fan after this.

[redstateconfidential]

Dump em all, from the genetically freakish being calling basketball stars to the thugs,gangsters and Obmamabot Players Union organizers of the NFL, and the vicious, latent homosexuals who masquerade as Sports writers vomiting up slander and knee jerk hate.What a sad testament to America, that real men have obsessed and quibbled over the meaningless lives and acts of players, while their natural rights and honor have been usurped by the dilettantes and petty dictators of Washington.

[VR-21]

Count me among them. I’ve loved pro football all my life, and I’ve got wonderful memories of watching men like Johnny Unitas, Bob Lily, Paul Horning and YA Tittle. I remember the games on the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, where all the commercials were for shaving products, beer and cigars, and the halftime shows were some local school marching band. Then came the money, and now comes the stench of leftist politics. To hell with it all. I’ll find something else to do and be glad I won’t be around for the NFL’s first ‘gay day.’ I’m incredibly bitter about this, but I’m definitely done with it.

[TigersEye]

It was the ultimate responsibility of the NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, to put a stop to this nonsense. But did Goodell step forward? No. In fact, he...

...is an effing pussy just like everyone else who made crap up about Rush.

[bahblahbah]

Oh give me a break... it’s stupid to boycott over this...

[smoothsailing]

LOL!

[discostu]

Because he knows not to mix his politics and entertainment. That’s why I stopped boycotting stuff, I realized that in the end I was punishing myself for the actions of others. I like football, I’m watching football.

[freekitty]

It’s beyond sane reason that a man who heads an organization such as the NFL could state publically without any proof a lie.

The NFL, as if they could go any lower, just did.

[EDINVA]

It’ll be intersting to see the Neilsen ratings for this weekend’s NFL games. I hope no self-respecting conservative turns on any games.

[dalebert]

geraldo is doing a nice job on him tonight and giving sharpton nice face time.

[wireplay]

I didn’t boycott the NFL over Rush but I would. I boycotted the NFL a decade ago because of how poor the players acted outside of football. My 2 boys have never seen a game and probably won’t while they are in the house.

Recently, I sat next to a pro coach and told him my reasons for stopping football. He said he understood but so many of the players are good people. That said, you now see how corrupt and feeble the NFL is: it isn’t the players but the management.

I am happy I didn’t turn my kids into fans. 2 less automatons for the league of the future.

[RobRoy]

>>Oh give me a break... it’s stupid to boycott over this...<<

I agree. After the first baseball strike, I didn’t call for a boycott. I just stopped watching. I stopped going. I stopped taking it seriously.

To this day...

[smoothsailing]

Same here. Art Rooney campaigning for Obama got me going with it, now this with Rush.

I live 40 miles south of Pittsburgh so the Steelers were a team I could root for, but I don’t much care now.

College ball has always been my favorite anyway.

Goodell and the NFL can stuff it.

[RobRoy]

>>That’s why I stopped boycotting stuff, I realized that in the end I was punishing myself for the actions of others.<<

Trust me, it’s not punishment.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

So much for the drive-by state-run NLFL (National Liberal Football League).

[TigersEye]

If that coach really cared about the players that are good people he wouldn’t want to subject them to the criminals and perverts.

[discostu]

For you, maybe. I happen to like football quite a bit. Of course that’s always the punchline 99% of the people declaring they’re boycotting X never watched X in the first place. A lot of pointless chest thumping and ego boosting, but in the end completely meaningless. Remember Rush ain’t boycotting.

[smoothsailing]

geraldo is a cheap pimp.

[Seaplaner]

I can say that my enthusiasm has been, indeed, dampened a bit.

I can also report that I view the Colts with less favor (because of owner Jim Irsay's lying misdirection play with the facts) even though I admire Manning and some others on the team.

Just guessing, but watch for the NFL to try to pet us conservatives pretty hard, with all kinds of faux patriotism etc. (And don't buy it, at least not while Marxist Obama chum DeMaurice Smith is connected w the players' union.)

.

.

[TigersEye]

I can’t boycott what I don’t watch but I can sure call a weasel a weasel and the NFL seems to be full of them.

[discostu]

Every place is full of them. Welcome to capitalism. And remember the NFL didn’t kick Rush out, his PARTNERS which he knew included Soros did. You ever wonder why he knowingly entered into a deal with Soro?

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I’m not advocating anything, just pointing out one consequence of this little dust-up:

If say 20% of a given team’s audience is Conservative who will cease their support (not watching Sunday TV, I mean actual revenue, as in buying season tickets, going to games, etc;) then in my crude estimation every NFL team just lost about 10% of its value. They’re worth about a $billion. Times how many teams? That’s a lot of scratch.

[TigersEye]

Every place is not full of violent felons, perverts and liars. As well as commie sympathizers. Goodell wasn’t one of Rush’s partners was he? No, he wasn’t.

[Montanabound]

There are a lot of female football fans, too, who are mad as hell.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Could Arena Football/Arena 2 be the winner in all this?

[dalebert]

I could not believe my ears when geraldo in so many words called Rush a race baiter with Sharpton sitting in front of him....you can be a racist if you are black.

[smoothsailing]

Oh give me a break... it’s stupid to boycott over this...

Who's calling for a boycott? Rush Limbaugh and Neil Braithwaite certainly havn't.

Rush fans are free to do as they please.

[noblejones]

<<
Oh give me a break... it’s stupid to boycott over this...
>>

I’m not “boycotting” anything.

I genuinely don’t care anymore. I’d rather play touch football with the neighborhood kids. It says a lot to me that most of them don’t care about the NFL.

[Frantzie]

The NFL is a sh*t. Mindless entertainment for morons. The Michael Vick, Ray Lewis league of criminals.

[DHSMostWanted]

It won’t be hard not watching the Chiefs this season. Maybe they need to bring back the USFL ,XFL, or Arena Football.

[wireplay]

I hope not. I hope most people just turn off the boob tube and skip pro sports. Plus, ski season is here...

[smoothsailing]

Don’t know, but I’d guess it wouldn’t have much effect.

[Frantzie]

Notre Dame should preform half time abortions at midfield while handing out more awards to Obama. Notre Dame is a scum school.

[dennisw]

Those were the days

[DHSMostWanted]

I would love to see a bumper sticker with that quote.

[Rome2000]

They know that Rush is a strong competitor and would bring that "must win" attitude to the NFL.

Bottom line is that we are witnessing McCarthyism in reverse.

Limbaugh has shown remarkable restraint.

Commies Raus.

[Billthedrill]

I really don't care so much whether Rush becomes a minority owner of the Rams - the St. Louis fans are really the only losers if he doesn't. But this is the last straw in a very large load. Why am I making these idiots rich? They only hold me in contempt.

See you, guys. It used to be fun but now it isn't.

[trustandobey]

Ditto

[aliquando]

He is not cheap.

[smoothsailing]

geraldo is something I just never watch, but what you say doesn’t surprise me.

[DemonDeac]

Football is six minutes worth of action spread out over four hours. Yawn.

[DemonDeac]

“It’ll be intersting to see the Neilsen ratings for this weekend’s NFL games. I hope no self-respecting conservative turns on any games.”

I would imagine that their will be almost no effect.

[Rebelbase]

Aside from Rush getting screwed by the NFL, a sad thing about all of this is that there are a lot of people who don’t even know there is a ruckus about anything relating to Rush Limbaugh and the NFL. A huge portion of them could care less.

[jellybean]

And remember the NFL didn’t kick Rush out, his PARTNERS which he knew included Soros did. You ever wonder why he knowingly entered into a deal with Soro?

Rush was not aware that Soros was part of the group:

And my mistake at that point was not asking him, "All right, do you really mean it, and who did you speak to?" He gave me a couple of names that are pretty high up and led me to believe that it was all handled and that he was fully prepared for what was going to happen. When the whole thing started to unravel last week, whenever this thing leaked -- and, by the way, I learned yesterday that George Soros might be in this group. Reuters had a story that George Soros is one of Dave Checketts's partners. I did not know that. I wasn't told that. Mr. Checketts is not the primary partner here. The NFL has a rule that the primary owner has to have 30% equity in the team, and our group lost our 30% equity guy, and we had to scramble and find a new one, and I was told who it was, but now I'm wondering if it was Soros and I wasn't told. Soros and Checketts did, I have learned, partner together previously to try to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mr. Soros, of course, is well known politically for his left-wing slants, his politics fit in perfectly, apparently, with what the National Football League is becoming. But I wonder if they know that he is also involved in the movement to legalize marijuana and how that will play as the owners decide whether or not he's fit. This is all speculative because I don't know that he's in the group. Reuters reported it yesterday.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Sundays = At the range with the kids.

I was all excited to root for that nice Catholic(?) boy Matt Ryan, and the newly-professionalized Atlanta Falcons (I'd given them up since the time they had MC Hammer dicking around on the sidelines, and reiterated my distaste for them when everyone was praising Mike Vick/Ron Mexico as a fine citizen and role model).

With this, and teh "Futbol Americano" crap, way to go NFL!!!!