Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated show today had a little something extra in it today. Rush responded with his side of the story on why he is no longer part of the bid to buy the Rams. In his first hour he took a significant period of time to explain how his departure from the Ram's bid took place.
Rush explained that he never actively sought out buying a professional football team and that Dave Checkett came to him by way of a mutual friend to invite him in as a part of the deal.
According to Limbaugh, Checkett knew in advance to approach him on the golf course where he'd have plenty of time to discuss his plan. Checkett needed money and he made it clear that Limbaugh would be the money end of the deal.
Rush was also very clear in asking Checkett if he was prepared for the "firestorm" that awaited once they announced that he was part of the buy. Checketts gave Limbaugh peace-of-mind telling Limbaugh he cleared it at the highest level of football even dropping a few names which Limbaugh did not repeat on air.
Instead Checkett realized that a firestorm would help move negotiations along. Rush then explained that Checkett used that firestorm against him asking him to leave the group but Rush would have no part of it. He told Checkett if he wanted him out, that Checkett would have to fire him.
Checkett then through council notified Limbaugh on Wednesday that he was doing just that sending a falsly apologetic letter explaining the group was parting ways with Limbaugh. Rush went on to explain it appeared Checkett showed some disrespect by rushing his press release out to announce Limbaugh was out. News organizations tripped over themselves at the 6:00 hour on Wednesday to post the news; Limbaugh was out.
On Thursday Morning Diane Sawyer of Good Morning America asked Karl Rove to weigh in at the tail end of an interview. Rove agreed that the ousting of Limbaugh was "politics in sports". Rove stated, "Buying a professional football team or any kind of professional sports team is a very odd enterprise, because the players have a big role in affecting the attitudes of the owners and the owners have absolute approval to decided whether or not their gonna allow you to buy a competing team. And I thought it was a very powerful signal when significant leaders in the players union and then significant owners made it clear that they were against Rush Limbaugh being part of the effort to take over the Rams. I think it's unfortunate. I think it was unfair but it's frankly the sort of hardball politics that gets played in sports which is sort of odd isn't it." Rove added with a smile, "Politics in sports."
It seemed inevitable that Limbaugh would have to give his account on his radio show later in the day. And give it he did. Limbaugh even contradicted Checkett's claim that Rush's role would be a minority owner. Rush made it clear he was told he'd have a role in operations of the team. Which seems to be more truthful, otherwise why would the players union balk at him as an owner?
Rush claims that this change was partly in response so the NFL Players Union could leverage the NFL in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In the end it seems Rush Limbaugh was used and tagging him a racist for his remarks about (NFL quarterback) Donavan McNabb in his prior relationship with ESPN still haunt him, true or not. It seems despite Rush's love for the NFL it doesn't love him back. He's also lost out on the prospective job as color commentator on Monday Night Football.
Ultimately Rush's conservative roots have resulted in being blackballed from football. If Rush wants any part of the NFL, it will to the extent most of us enjoy it; as a spectator.
