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.

[RightWhale]

Rush finally has something to talk about again. And it is a subject he relishes--himself. He might have to let his arm be untied because he stepped in it this time.

[mhking]

i don't like clark that much either, but c'mon. his politics are squishy, but he served his country and took a bullet, which is more than you can say for rush.

Which means what?

[swilhelm73]

Argh. Mistyped, the second paragraph should be;

While the *former* was false, the *latter* is certainly somewhat true. And the story is the similar with McNabb. He is good, he is overrated (unlike IMO Warner), and part of the reason he is overrated by the press is his skin color.

[JohnnyZ]

If you step away from McNabb, and look at all the black QBs, I just don't see how you get "black QBs get special media treatment":

First of all, that is not a quote of mine, and that was not the jist of what I said, or Rush said.

A comparatively small %age of NFL QBs have been, and are still, I believe, black. For a long time there was a prejudice, held in some circles, that blacks couldn't play QB because they weren't smart enough. So every time a decent black QB comes along and has any kind of success he is likely to be talked up as a counter-example, and this will likely happen until blacks make up X% of NFL quarterbacks. Sorry, haven't done an extensive media study to prove that, but I'll bet you haven't done one to disprove it either, and it's at least an arguable assertion based on existing sports/race mindsets.

Sure, everyone gets hype when they do well, but there's that extra thing with black QBs where people feel the need to rectify the no-black-QB thing. You've never heard people talk about the "black QB" thing???

[jwalsh07]

MHO:

Rush isn't advancing a color blind, merit based society by tedious remarks on quarterbacks and race.

[cake_crumb]

"Please tell me what evidence exists that McNabb earned his ratings and then got a few extra points (like at the University of Michigan) because he is a minority... "

Wait a minute...RUSH said he got what kind of extra points as a college player, and Rush tied that in with his current playing record how? All he appears to have done is comment that the praise he is receiving is more glowing than his pro performance seems to warrant.

I'll have to find a clip or transcript of his commentary - hopefully, he'll play a clip of it on his show, tomorrow since I missed it today - but I'm going to search his site now.

[Jorge]

In any case, what he said cannot be disproved either.

And critics can say Rush is racist for saying it, and that can't be disproved either.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Pro wrestling is fake?

But my bookie keeps telling me that I'm due for a win, and that very few people have the skill necessary to bet on pro wrestling. Just this last week he was even giving me some tips, because he respects me so much as a pro-wrestling bettor......

[dwd1]

What I am trying to say is that his assertion was that McNabb is being treated a certain way because of a social investment and that he is rated in the media because of a desire by the media because they want to see a black quarterback do well...

As there are presently quarterbacks who are considered by many as being successful, I would like to know the basis of his statement... By the way, is it possible that the media wants to see him succeed because he is a nice guy?

How can one conclude that there is a left wing conspiracy or attitude that says "Donovan McNabb must succeed at all cost because he is a black man" I do not think Campbell's Soup is that desperate....

[JohnnyZ]

Let us be consistent... Are we looking for a meritocracy or not.....

Rush was criticizing others for just that, basing their praise on things OTHER than merit. You should be applauding him!!!

I think that the issue with what you mentioned would be unfair if a white fighter were dismissed or not taken seriosly because he is white....

Which is not what we're talking about here. Rush did not dismiss McNabb because he's black. He said others hyped him because he's black.

But I don't think you're interested in what Rush said, just interested in criticizing him.

[dwd1]

I would hope that Rush can take it as well as dish it out..

I respect his right to say what he said but I think I also have the right to criticize him because I disagree... By the way... Is this not the same problem that the Dixie Chicks had whenever they said something in a public forum that many on this forum disagree with?

I am still waiting for any evidence that there is a media bias toward black quarterbacks.... From what I have seen, the media talks up all quarterbacks based on their potential, but the ones who get long term respect and support are the ones who win and get the job done....
If one does not perform and win, one ends up on the curb....

He brought race into the issue when he did not have justification or supporting material.... Now many looking at every black or minority quarterback and wondering whether he is there for his ability and whether his media image is based on his personality and marketability or whether it is based on how well he chose his parents...

[dwd1]

Also, just for the sake of argument, being that Donovan McNabb may be considered by some to have a media friendly appearance and for all we know, a very talented agent and publicist, how can we conclude that he is not being judged based on his personality and how attractive he may be perceived as being.... Why does the conclusion have to be drawn that he is having the same thing as Anna Kournikova.... Granted that it is still wrong, but could it not also be concluded that the issue may be that he has a handsome face and not necessarily a black one?

[dwd1]

Also, on my previous point... Barry Bonds comes to mind as someone who does not have a good relationship with the media because he is not very receptive or open in interviews.... I am sure that we are familiar with many professional athletes who get hyped or criticized based on how friendly they are to reporters...

Barry Bonds does not get the respect he deserves in the media based on his race.... He gets the deal he gets because of his personality....

Nothing to do with his race....

[JohnnyZ]

Now many looking at every black or minority quarterback and wondering whether he is there for his ability

Why? That wasn't brought up at all. No one suggested black QBs were being hired based on their race.

and whether his media image is based on his personality and marketability or whether it is based on how well he chose his parents...

Well, what's wrong with that? People deconstruct media hype all the time. Wouldn't we be better off without players being hyped based on race?

[cake_crumb]

I'm paraphrasing but will try to type exactly what he said:

"All you guys actually...I think the sum total of what you're all saying is that John McNabb is regressing, he's going backwards. And my..I'm sorry to say this...I don't think he's been THAT good from the get go.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well...I think..(garbled)... black coaches and black quarterbacks do well. I think there's a lot of hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't...."

I can't get the rest. I'm lousy at dictation and the weather is doing a number on my hands.

It sounded to ME as though at least ONE of his co-hosts was arguing. I thought McNabb said nobody had argued?

The clip is available on Rush's site

[don-o]

GO RUSH GO : ) as others have noted you just raised ESPN stock and deserve a huge raise : )

This whole incident speaks volumes in loud voice to the corrupted state of public discourse in this nation.

A self proclaimed entertainer, (El GasBag) gets other entertainers (Steroid built atheletes and Botoxed talking heads) into a feeding frenzy.

Godamighty - Bread and Circuses don't get no better than this

[dr_lew]

The comment simply makes no sense in today's NFL ...

Ditto.

[Samurai_Jack]

I have lost all respect.. snip... you overblown windbag! snip... oversized ego and stuff it where the sun snip... your brain cannot grasp.

He must be a limbaugh fan

[driftless]

I don't know if McNabb is overrated or not since I rarely watch pro football and have never seen him play. But even though I'm a Limbaugh fan, he probably shouldn't have said it because of todays pc climate. But then if they censure Rush, they should censure Spike Lee and all the other race-baiters who routinely make derogatory comments about whites.

I've read plenty of comments by black athletes and commentators who wondered aloud in print and tv whether some white athletes were only there because of the color of their skin. And then there was Isiah Thomas's comments about Larry Bird implying that Bird was overrated because he was white, and we all know what happened to Thomas. Nothing. If Limbaugh is fired, it will only emphasize the hypocrisy of the liberal-dominated media.

[goldstategop]

After reading Rush's comments today, I realized its really a replay of "Jimmy The Greek's" comments two decades ago. You know the liberals claim to be tolerant but when it comes to disagreeing with the liberal orthodoxy on race, if you step out of line and offer a non-PC opinion, you're immediately labeled a "racist." Even if the opinion is not derogatory or insulting to a minority's race in any way, if you're not a liberal, you're not allowed freedom of speech and to voice your thoughts. It should be noted Rush said nothing about Donovan McNabb's race - its the race-obsessed liberal sportswriters who turned it into a racial issue. All Rush offered was a personal opinion to the effect McNabb's not as good a quarterback as the media's made him out to be and he's acknowledged it could be wrong. Its a perfectly legitimate view to have about a black quarterback as it is to have it about a white quarterback. Its not insinuating people are not capable because of their race; its rather their personal talents may not match the media hype about it. That's all Rush said here and the liberals act like he's you know - a secret member of the KKK and all that stuff. And pretty much the hubbub of this non-issue, non-controversy is that thanks to liberals, any honest discussion of race by a white person in this country has been made verboten. The liberals hate Rush with a passion and since they are the ones who happen to be injecting politics into the McNabb story, it would serve their interests if they could discredit him as a "racist." And you know if they made that charge stick, well racists are not worth listening to or associating with. Liberals would no doubt be overjoyed if they could end Rush's football commentator career and perhaps in the process make his career as a radio talk show host politically radioactive. So yeah when you get right down to it, this whole bruhaha over what Rush said is an effort to intimidate conservatives into never expressing ANY opinion that offends them and folks - its not just about football. As Rush said elsewhere on his show today, liberals have a real problem with trusting the people and democracy.