Sharpton: Keep Limbaugh Away From The NFL

Last week, conservative radio personality/guru Rush Limbaugh announced that he was interested in buying the St. Louis Rams, along with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts. Now, the Reverend Al Sharpton has entered into the fray, asking NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a meeting to explain why Limbaugh shouldn't be considered as a potential owner.

In his letter (in full after the jump), Sharpton writes, "Rush Limbaugh been divisive and anti-NFL on several occasions with comments about NFL Players including Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb and his recent statement that the NFL was beginning to look like a fight between the Crips and the Bloods without the weapons, was disturbing (New York Daily News, October 9th)." He also noted that NFL players union head DeMaurice Smith is against Limbaugh's involvement, in order to unify and not divide the league.

According to the Daily News, Limbaugh's and Checketts's bid is worth $900 million; "Should the bid go through, 24 of the league's 32 owners would have to vote in favor of the sale."

Dear Mr. Goodell:
I was disturbed to learn that there is a potential bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams and I would like to request a meeting with you to discuss the myriad of reasons as to why he should not be given an opportunity to do so. Rush Limbaugh been divisive and anti-NFL on several occasions with comments about NFL Players including Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb and his recent statement that the NFL was beginning to look like a fight between the Crips and the Bloods without the weapons, was disturbing (New York Daily News, October 9th).

I commend the executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith for publicly asking that the League seek to unify not divide in a letter to the executive committee.

Mr. Smith courageously implored that the league reject divisiveness, and we, at National Action Network, and countless people across the country, strongly echo his sentiments.

I look forward to hearing from you to set up a meeting in the near future.

In Progress,
Reverend Al

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 12, 2009 4:49 PM

Comments [rss]

NYCSniper

"Limbaugh been divisive"

The syntax on that one cracks me up every time.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

"I look forward to hearing from you to set up a meeting in the near future."

What a presumptuous ass. Yeah, Al, the commish has nothing better to do mid-season than set up an appointment with you. Nothing at all. Get real.

NannyState

Hot Al on Rush action! ( lock them both away in a cellar )

felixthecat2

NFL has the dog torturer and Killer Michael Vick on their rooster. NFL has no values. Limbaugh fits right in with the NFL...

Ethan

Keep him away from the buffet.

Snoopy

Sharpton should go back to his old country and recruit all the suffering negroes to play "American style" football there. Let'see how many Escaladesdes will cruising in downtown Mogadishu then.

If an individual has the money to buy a franchise legally then they should be allowed to buy same.

*Tags allowed: a href, b, i, br/, p, strong, em, ul, ol, li, blockquote, pre

Mr Mel

A rare double hit.

Snoopy

Sharpton should go back to his old country and recruit all the suffering negroes to play "American style" football there. Let'see how many Escaladesdes will cruising in downtown Mogadishu then.

If an individual has the money to buy a franchise legally then they should be allowed to buy same.

longacre

The NFL is one of the most image-conscious brands around, and was no doubt closely examining Limbaugh's statements long before Sharpton opened his yapper. All this letter did was earn Sharpton another bag of hush/extortion money.

PTG in nyc

Good point, this is just one more thing that Al can take credit for even though Goodell and the owners are probably already having informed debate about the potential risks.

Next up, Sharpton taking credit for all black athletes in the NFL.

I hate Limbaugh but Sharpton is pretty much right up there with him.

kane

Let's keep both Limbaugh and Sharpton away from microphones.

Mr. Shankly

How about a double headed microphone and a re-enactment of 'that' scene in 'Requiem for a Dream'.

Unsee that!

kane

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

JacqueMehoff

God bless you Reverend Sharpton.

keep on keeping on.

valeriob

Dear President Obama,

Please permanently send Al Sharpton to Canada.

Signed,

Concerned Citizens.

nivek

Dear President Obama,

Please send Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, and the teabaggers to Afghanistan.

We need more troops, might as well use them towards suicide missions. They're not exactly useful here.

Signed,

The realists living in America

BongoBoy

We of Canada don't want Rev. Al.

Please send him somewhere else. Closer to the equator.

nicemarmot

Sharpton is a dickbag, but he does have a point. Limbaugh couldn't resist making nasty comments when he was a commentator for that oh so brief period of time. Whether you think those comments were racist or not, they were certainly inappropriate. And I can see why the NFL, as a private organization, would not exactly want that kind of a dude in their little club. He's just going to cause them constant issues if they let him in. He won't be able to keep his fat mouth shut.