by Mike Kilgore

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

There are a few names out there that bring immediate and visceral reactions from people and one of them is radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Wildly controversial and extremely right wing, Rush stirs up controversy wherever he goes. His three hour midday national radio show gets huge ratings and he has a following of ditto-heads (so named because when listeners would call in they would say ditto, Rush!) that are loyal to his views and issues.

Many republican politicos have been called to task for being too liberal by his show and his callers respond with calls and emails to the offender. To say that Rush is strongly despised by liberals everywhere would be an understatement at best. He has galvanized the conservative movement and become 'the' target for liberals everywhere.

Limbaugh has joined an investment group whose purpose is to purchase the St Louis Rams NFL franchise. This has raised a hue and cry heard all over both the sports and political forums nationwide, but should the NFL block a potential ownership group based on the controversial image of one of its members? No.

Besides the obvious dislike of Limbaugh by a large number of Americans, the major issue regarding his ownership comes from a comment he made when he was a member of ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown show during 2003. During a discussion of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Limbaugh opined that McNabb was over-rated because the media wanted to have a black quarterback succeed.

The ensuing outrage over that statement led to Limbaugh and ESPN ending their relationship. There is a concern that Limbaugh has no business being involved in a league with such a high percentage of players that are African-American.

One thing people need to understand is that Limbaugh is a master at manipulating the media. Strange that this controversy surfaces during the fall booking season - the most critical time of year for talk radio show ratings. For people in Limbaugh's line of work, there is no bad publicity.

His ratings soared after his departure from ESPN and this issue will give him another boost. Limbaugh's main concern is keeping himself in the public eye. Every time a liberal bashes him on national TV, Rush smiles and cashes another check.

The NFL shouldn't block a potential ownership group based on the popularity of one of its members. Apply the same standards to this group as any other. Several owners have already indicated that they will vote against this group's application. These statements are wrong to make before the full investigation has been undertaken. The NFL is a business like any other and should make all their decisions accordingly.

The only thing to consider is whether this group's ownership would be a benefit or detriment to the NFL. As of this writing, Limbaugh has withdrawn from the group and so taken his name out of consideration partial ownership. It could be that he already achieved his goal.

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