ST. LOUIS (AP) -- 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.
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.
Transcripts posted on the radio host's Web site also say that on a January 2007 show, Limbaugh commented: "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it."
Asked about Limbaugh's bid to purchase the winless Rams, 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."Players on the 0-5 Rams, who were routed by the Minnesota Vikings 38-10 on Sunday, tried to distance themselves from the controversy.
"I'm paying attention, but I'm not even touching that one," running back Steven Jackson said. "Because if I start touching it I might go somewhere I don't want to go."
Defensive end Chris Long said he just heard Monday that Limbaugh was part of a group seeking to purchase the team. His reaction: "Oh, is that the guy on the radio?"
Reminded of Limbaugh's statements about McNabb, Long seemed to disapprove while adding he didn't care who owned the team.
"I mean, those weren't great comments at all," Long said. "But it's not my job to really comment on that."
Defensive end Leonard Little, the last remaining player from the Rams' Super Bowl championship after the 1999 season, didn't want to talk about it.
"We've got a lot more things to worry about than who's going to be our owner," he said.
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St. Louis Rams Photos
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen returns a fumble by St. Louis Rams Kyle Boller for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Jerry Holt/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor (29) dives for the end zone, but was pushed out of bounds just short of the line by St. Louis Rams Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) ran in for a touchdown after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) scores a touchdown in the first quarter of play against St. Louis Rams Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) scores a touchdown past St. Louis Rams Paris Lenon (53) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams (93) was called for a personal foul after taking down St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller (12) in the third quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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St. Louis Rams Bradley Fletcher (32) grabs Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice (18) who caught a long pass in the third quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller (12) attempts a pass in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams (93) returns a fumble by St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller (12) for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin (12) dives for the end zone in the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, October 11, 2009. Harvin was pushed out of bounds just short of the end zone. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Comments (Page 1 of 11)
Those two should go away, do you ever see them represent a Caucasian? They are irrelevant and have had there 15 minutes of fame and a couple others.
No butt wipe!!! Do u ever see Limpbaugh, Hannity, Orielly or Beck defending any minorities? NO.
I am a Black American and I agree with your comment wholeheartedly. I am fed up with the hypocrisy of the African American left who just cannot seem to focus on the real issues facing our community like the Chicago 300 which is the number of students who were victims of Black on Black violence. No they have to focus their attention on a person who has every right to purchase whatever he wants to purchase whether one agrees with his opinion or not. As for the wannabe Revs Jackson and Sharpton they are irrelevant and their time is past along with the NAACP. The only thing they preach is a gospel of racism and division in hopes of lining their pockets and getting another 5 minutes of attention to their pitiful causes.
Those two should not go away and they are exacly right, especially considering the vulgar things he has said about lack and other minorities in the past. How is he going to relate to the black players on the team, considering most of them are black. If he gets the team, it will be the demise of the Rams forever.
Bigbold... yes, I do see Rush, Hannity, and O'Rielly defending black people - and you would, too if you ever watched or listened to any of them.
But you never - ever - see Sharpton or Jackson defend a white person. Remember: those two had all of Duke's lacrosse team in shackles without ever listening to the story. Who is racist here?
The uproar is about a statement that Rush made regarding black QBs in the NFL. Look at Jamarcus Russel and say that Rush was wrong. Michael conVick has such a low efficiency rating that if he were white, nobody would have ever heard of him. If the truth hurts, don't blame the messenger.
Twiddle Dee & Twiddle Dumb need to go find something else to bitch about!! What...have they given up on pontificating Michael Jackson??
Having these two poverty pimps lambasting you is the best recommendation in the world. These two losers are on the wrong side of every issue they stick their unwelcome noses in. The black community should be ashamed to have these two "representing" them.
I guess I am a racist and a bigot myself because I do not agree with Al or Jesse, all they do is preach hatred against a white person and if you are black you can do no wrong. I guess the DC Sniper was just a misled, misguided product of the white society. You TWO need to shut and for once get a real life not spouting hatred and the world will move on better without you both
Jesse and Al would do more good trying to keep black people from killing each other than jumping at every chance they get to stir up racism issues.
The Fatman has a better chance becoming an offensive lineman than the owner of the Rams. Bush Limpball is a joke and would disgrace the NFL. Stick with your radio show to the GOP nut cases.
So he is worse than the lying disgraceful president we have?
SHUT YOUR MOUTH SHARPTON, YOU TOO JACKSON!!!
What Rush said about McNabb was the truth. McNabb is an average quarterback turned into a superstar by the media and Rush simply pointed that out. When McNabb was injured and Garcia took the Eagles into the playoffs not much was said about the Eagles white quarterback. Why are these racists complaining about Rush? Have any of you racists ever lestened to Rush on his radio show? If you did you never hear Rush being a racist.
Comparing the NFL to the Bloods and the Crips? Hmm, that's a real thoughtful, open minded comment. That fat drug addict can't have his vicodin and eat it too!
Jeff Garcia is not white dummy. He is hispanic, another group that fat ass hate. But I am disappointed that fat ass didn't get the Rams because I hate the Rams and I would have been very interest in what he would say if the Rams would still be losing under his ownership. He would say that the media wants his team to lose but for as long as I been watching football, I never seen the media stop any team from winning or help a team win so that would be bull crap.
Dear Mr. Tom Jackson. Before you talk about race you should re-evaluate yourself. At times on ESPN you seem to recall that you were Bronco Legend. Being from Denver I watchted all games with the Broncos. From the times I have seen your work on ESPN, I don't recall you really ever giving much praise to the other three LB's on the team. As in Gradishar, Swenson and Rizzo. Who were not the same color as you. Maybe you four were the best ever on one team that had very little offense. Seems after your Bronco gig you went back to your roots in Clevland. I recall that you four LB's were always in sink and that is why you all were such a dominent force in the 3-4 Defense. So please Tom, let's not racial on Rush.
Geeeeezzzzzzzzz what would be the reaction if wife beater drug doing Bobby Brown was trying to buy the Rams. I can here Jerk Jackson and Azz Al now: " Ya the brother is a role model the NFL needs Bobby". Who the heck is the racists now!!!!!!!!!!!! Their motto if he ain't black then he's a racist. Crawl back under the rock al and Jesse that you all came from.
Those 2 are the epitimy of racists. They are the best of the best. Never have I seen anyone as racists as Jesse and Al. They have made their living off of the poor black man, and all the while, claim they are working for them. Bastards ! ! Hey Rush, if you can, buy what ever you want ....
Rush is not the Racist- Sharpton and Jackson are !! They cause more problems in the USA regarding race than any white person. They play the race card all the time.
Both Sharpton and Jackson are media whores! Stealing from their black brothers and sisters all the while. Wake up black America, think for yourself, quit listening to these vile idiots.