Somehow, I missed the initial outcry over Rush Limbaugh’s remarks about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb:
On Sunday, during ESPN
Somehow, I missed the initial outcry over Rush Limbaugh’s remarks about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb:
On Sunday, during ESPN
6 comments On Shocker: Limbaugh Opens Mouth About Sports, Says Something Stupid
This is exactly what Rush Limbaugh needed *NOT* to do. The notion that McNabb may be overrated because he’s black may or may not be a worthy topic of conversation, but it’s one better left to the experts (ie former athletes & coaches turn announcers) and not to a controversial political commentator whose job at ESPN is not political commentary.
The question of whether McNabb is overrated is legitimate, as is the question of who has carried that team. Let’s have that discussion! You already have some idea of my answer, which is what Bill Parcells said last week about Curtis Martin: If they are tired of him, just send him on down here. I’m pretty sure a bunch of GMs would answer similarly
But why did the assertion have to be McNabb is overrated by the media because he’s black? Especially when the charge that he’s overrated in the first place seems flimsy (and so far as I know, the media doesn’t vote for Pro Bowl honors, which McNabb has earned more than once)? Did Limbaugh not think any of that through?
Honestly, I’m no PC weenie, and I do think our society would benefit from being more open to discussions about race. Frank discussion is often closed off because we don’t want to offend anyone. I’m more shocked by what I view as the stupidity of Limbaugh’s comment than its actual anti-PC nature.
And I’m still not sure what Limbaugh adds to the broadcast. Give me Jaws breaking down film! I don’t need social commentary mixed with my football. It detracts from the broadcast, in my view.
Gary, now you see why I want to have plenty of radio broadcasts available! I tend to turn off the TV sound. 🙂 Agreed on McNair and Manning, btw — especially McNair. Why do you think that’s the case? Size of the media market? Jeff Fisher’s approach to the game? Something more nefarious?
Kevin,
I prefer Limbaugh to stick with the political commentary.
As for why McNair doesn’t get more respect, I don’t know. Market size may have something to do with it. I don’t think skin color has anything at all to do with it. All I do know is that the guy has a knack for making plays.
I actually do like listening to the Cowboys on radio – when they lose. Yes, I admit it, I am a Cowboy hater. It was not always thus. I was a Cowboy fan when Staubach played. After he retired, I lost interest in them. My apathy then turned to hate when Jerry Jones bought the team. Right now, I am pretty disullushioned with college and pro football. I hate the Titans with a passion while being lukewarm about the Texans. I don’t think it’s possible for me to form any positive emotional attachments to an NFL team. And college football is so rigged in favor of the mega-conferences that it bores me. It’s a shame, because I do have a love for the game.
BTW – I have been anAsylum Street Spankers fan for a number of years. I am not familar with Dead End Angels, but look foward to checking them out.
Gary: Were you at that last Spankers show? Very enjoyable.
If you like alt-country, then definitely check out the Dead End Angels sometime. I’m sure I’ll carry on about them next time they’re around.
So you’re more of a Jerry Jones hater? I can understand that. But after watching them from Staubach on, I’ve just got nowhere else to go! Although I must say, after several beers at that Texans-Cowboys scrimmage at UH, I launched quite a few rude comments Jerry’s way. And I think I probably even meant most of them. 🙂
Alex,
You know very well that no one else at ESPN would ever even consider the possibility for fear of the very reaction that Limbaugh is getting now. It’s just too PC. Having said that, Peyton Manning is probably the most overrated QB in the NFL while Steve McNair is probably one of the more underappreciated, though I think both are now starting to be evaluated more objectively.
Gary,
You might be right about that. On the other hand, I still view the criticism of Limbaugh as being justified whereas if someone else had said it, I’d be out there defending him. If Limbaugh had said it on his radio show, I’d actually object less. It’s the melding of the two that I disagree with. Limbaugh should keep his political agenda (even though I agree with more of it than not) out of ESPN.
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