Al Sharpton, Rush Limbaugh, the NFL

Al Sharpton is on offense.

He's actively campaigning to prevent Rush Limbaugh from becoming an owner of an NFL team.

Audio, from Breitbart via The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney.

The Al Sharpton Show
October 12, 2009



Transcript

AL SHARPTON: Rush Limbaugh has down through the years been one that has been less than unifying about the NFL. In fact, he has demonized the NFL.

Why would the NFL reward someone who once said that the NFL is beginning to look like the Crips and the Bloods without weapons?

This is a quote.

Who said that Donovan McNabb was given quarterback because they needed a black?

Now this kind of record of divisiveness in that sport -- He's the right to say what he wants to say. No one argues that -- but you gonna cast your aspersions on that sport, and then the NFL is going to even seriously consider giving you a stake in that sport?

I don't think so.

From the Associated Press:

The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams on Monday, saying the conservative radio host's track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and "anti-NFL" in some of his comments.

Jackson said in a telephone interview that Limbaugh had made his wealth "appealing to the fears of whites" with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.

"The National Football League has set high standards for racial justice and inclusion," Jackson said. "He should not have the privilege of owning an NFL franchise — and it is a privilege." The civil rights leader said he's had contact with numerous players and ex-players concerned about the bid.

Good grief.

What is wrong with Sharpton and Jackson?

Where do they get off pressuring Roger Goodell to block Limbaugh's bid to become an NFL owner?

Limbaugh shot back at Sharpton on his radio show.

"Now, this saddens me as well this disappoints me," he said. "I know Rev. Sharpton. Sharpton is better than this. He knows better than this. You know, I didn't judge Al Sharpton's fitness to be in radio when he wanted to earn an honest living for once, given his well-documented past as the author of the Tawana Brawley hoax. I believe in freedom and I also don't discriminate."

Limbaugh said last week that he is teaming up with St. Louis Blues hockey team owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. He has declined to discuss details of the offer, citing a confidentiality agreement.

...Asked about Limbaugh's bid to purchase the winless Rams, [quarterback Donovan] McNabb said: "If he's rewarded to buy them, congratulations to him. But I won't be in St. Louis any time soon."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the concerns voiced by Sharpton and Jackson.

"It is very early in the process and no transfer of ownership of the Rams has been presented to the league for review," Aiello said.

The latest complaints came a day after executive director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith, urged players to speak out against Limbaugh's bid.

"I have asked our players to embrace their roles not only in the game of football but also as players and partners in the business of the NFL," Smith said in a statement Sunday. "They risk everything to play this game, they understand that risk and they live with that risk and its consequences for the rest of their life.

"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."

This is ridiculous.

The ugly part of history is NOW.

Limbaugh isn't the one being divisive here.

This race-baiting by Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and DeMaurice Smith, among others, is really disgraceful.

There is racism in our society. There are racists. It's legitimate to call them out for their inappropriate behavior and condemn it.

That's what makes these personal baseless attacks against Limbaugh to be so irresponsible. It's inexcusable to exploit real instances of racism and its real victims in an effort to do damage to an enemy or further one's own agenda through false accusations.