Rush Limbaugh Sacks Himself (Chestnut Hill Local)

[Published in the Chestnut Hill Local on October 9th, 2003.]

The scene last Sunday on ESPN’s NFL Countdown show must have struck a bad chord with more than just the liberal media. What other explanation could there be for the “cacophony of outrage” (Limbaugh’s own words) directed at his ill-chosen, wobbly-fired bomb against Eagles lead-man Donovan McNabb (over-rated because the media wants a black quarterback to do well).

Huh? This is certainly not the tightly-spiraled commentary we’ve come to know and love from ESPN and ABC Sports. Even Dennis Miller could have thrown a better zinger (though it would have gotten lost in the lights since few would have known what he was talking about).

But everyone knows what Limbaugh was talking about even though he rushed to defend himself: “My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated.” Challenge.

If Limbaugh thinks that somehow there is a media conspiracy propping up McNabb when there is empirical evidence (statistics and loads of copy) to the contrary, then he is a misinformed sports commentator. After week 2 McNabb was the worst-ranked quarterback in the NFL and the media—especially in Philadelphia—weren’t shy about reporting it. Limbaugh’s comments don’t make any sense coming from a highly visible front-man on ESPN’s payroll.

Second: If Limbaugh honestly thinks that his comments were not motivated by race, then he is an ignorant sports commentator. In Limbaugh-logic here’s what you have: Black athletes must have it easier than whites because they are protected by the liberal media. Just tell that to the half-dozen or so other starting quarterbacks in the NFL who are black, including the black coaches and executives. (It won’t take you long because there are so few.) If you want to talk about race, then let’s really talk about race.

There is a lesson to be learned here and it all boils down to this idea: Words matter. They may not be deeds, but they matter. This is a concept even my 11th grade students understand who come from all parts of Philadelphia. They realize—just like most Americans—that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but there is a time and a place for everything. There is a public and private persona (and different rules for each arena), and what you post in your locker may not be appropriate for the student message board.

After the dust clears from this brouhaha, Rush Limbaugh will go back to his overtly-politicized rightwing radio talk show where he will beat the airwaves into a frenzy over why the liberal press tarred-and-feathered him.

After reviewing this play from all angles, however, people in the replay booth see no fouls. The footage shows Limbaugh sacking himself. Most of us ticket-holders have known all along what ESPN has just discovered: Rush Limbaugh is the one who is over-rated.

I have a suggestion for the ESPN management team: Next season get someone in there who really knows a thing or two about politics and football: Arnold Swarzenegger, if he’s still available.

[Mark Franek is the dean of students at the William Penn Charter School in
Philadelphia]