Sportswriter Stephen A. Smith says the black football players claiming they wouldn't play for a team that conservative talk radio show host Rush Limbaugh owned "are lying through their teeth. They're walking hypocrites."
This occurred Saturday on CNN's "Your Money."
Smith also claimed that what Limbaugh said about Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb a few years ago shouldn't disqualify him from owning an NFL team (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t Story Balloon):
CHRISTINE ROMANS, HOST: Quickly, Rush Limbaugh may become part owner of the St. Louis Rams football team. It does not sit well with some black NFL players who claim if Limbaugh is the owner, they won't be playing in it. Should the NFL allow Limbaugh to purchase or invest?
STEPHEN A. SMITH, SPORTSWRITER: Absolutely. If he has the money, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. And those black ball players that are saying that, I'm here on national television telling you they are lying through their stinking teeth. They're walking hypocrites.
ROMANS: Aren't they making a moral stand?
SMITH: Oh, please. Their moral standard is greed. I'm an athlete and Rush Limbaugh happens to be the owner of the St. Louis Rams, so the New York Jets offer me $10 million, but Rush is offering me $20 million. I'm going to have a problem with it? Please, they are lying. They are wasting my time.
ROMANS: What about Donovan McNabb? Wasn't it the comment on ESPN...
SMITH: The media's desire is that a black quarterback do well. Yes, it caused a lot of controversy. I thought that Rush Limbaugh should have been criticized for that, which he was and unceremoniously fired by ESPN. But the reality is that that does not mean he should not own an NFL team. If he has the dollars, he should be allowed to do it. He's definitely an NFL fan. I've listened to him talk about football. It's not like he's ignorant to the game of football. The man knows football. He's a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He wants to buy them.
ROMANS: And he's got money. Gary is a guy who his whole driving goal in life -- A, he loves his family, B, he wants to buy the New York Jets.
GARY VAYNERCHUK, WINE LIBRARY TV: Buy the New York Jets. So I'm jealous of Rush and more importantly, I agree with Stephen A. Smith, knocked it out of the park just now. The players don't give a rat's butt. I totally agree. They are going where the contract is. That's just the way -- and I don't blame them. These guys -- especially NFL players, they get beat up. Running backs are has beens of 28. They've go to go there.
SMITH: Christine, you've got a three year max, four years if you are lucky in the NFL. This is a very serious sport, a very violent sport.
ROMANS: Don't spend it over being mad at Rush Limbaugh.
SMITH: That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is oh, you're going to pass up money because oh, my god, I'm offended by Rush Limbaugh being the owner? Who are you fooling? Liars. I wish they would say it publicly. Show me who it was.
ROMANS: They would never do that.
VAYNERCHUK: No chance.
ROMANS: Stephen A. Smith, thank you so much. Author Gary Vaynerchuk, very nice to see you again, Gary.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Bravo. I'm happy to see
October 11, 2009 - 23:48 ET by kefkaBravo. I'm happy to see Steven A. Smith talking sense about this manufactured topic. He is the only talking head on ESPN that I can stand to listen to for more than 5 seconds.
Olberwomann's Stomping Ground
October 11, 2009 - 23:55 ET by AgentAmericanThis is the network where Olberwomann and, another douchebag jackass, Dan Patrick, once ruled Cable and Satellite in SportsCenter.
Of course, the most irritating of the irritating, Chris Berman still rules the roost in Bristol.
Awake the sleeping giant...and that giant is WE THE PEOPLE!
Berman
October 12, 2009 - 00:17 ET by UnsaneYou HAD to mention that idiot Berman!!! Why can't ESPN fire him and just have Tom Jackson handle "The Blitz"? That guy is a grossly underrated analyst. And I am so totally biased, being that I am a Bronco fan. I gotta give my props to old #57!
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Indeed, this is
October 12, 2009 - 01:06 ET by jdhawkIndeed, this is a manufactured topic. Folks, Rush can take care of himself.
Meanwhile, the smartypants dimocrats are about to seriously wound or even kill us with obamacare. It could go to the floor of the Senate are early as this coming week.
Please write, e-mail. or call your elected representatives - yes, including the White House. Tell them all that you don't want obamacare. Vote NO on obamacare or whatever they are calling it this week.
I'm not a football fan, but
October 12, 2009 - 06:32 ET by motherbeltI'm not a football fan, but Smith is dead on target.
What they are really trying to do here is to convince the current owners not to sell to a group that includes Rush.
Do they really think the current owners believe that they will walk out en masse?
Big talkers. Let's see what happens when "Triple-Dog-Dare" time comes!
The bottom line...
October 11, 2009 - 23:51 ET by AgentAmericanThe bottom line in the NFL is money. The irresistible pull of prospects of earning $50, $60 Million for "x" years supercedes politics. Free agents and draft picks don't really care who the owner is...some signing bonuses are enough to retire on.
Steven A. Smith just gave a unfiltered analysis: black players are full of it if Rush offers them more money.
Awake the sleeping giant...and that giant is WE THE PEOPLE!
The hypocrisy of the left
October 12, 2009 - 00:03 ET by MrSnugglesThe hypocrisy of the left is ridiculous. Look at any topic on the ESPN message boards and all you will hear is vile hatred for Rush. And no, ESPN does not delete the posts that wish death, or worse, upon him.
ESPN did not "fire" Rush
October 12, 2009 - 00:17 ET by R D HelmHe resigned. He said so himself.
The left is going to blow this thing all out of proportion just to try to stick it to the (former) big guy.
I hope they fail miserably.
-Dave
I know he resigned
October 12, 2009 - 00:44 ET by richb313I know Rush resigned but he probably did because he did not want to put ESPN in the position of having to fire him. The media backlash was so strong that ESPN would have had to fire him, even if they did not want to.
It is technically incorrect to say he was fired but it is not incorrect to say he was forced to leave. Rush spoke the truth of the moment, McNabb up to that point was not performing well and the Sports Press was not really calling him on it because they knew what the reaction would be. Rush found out that reaction and then was forced to leave.
rich, I agree
October 12, 2009 - 00:56 ET by R D HelmI am sure they would have probably canned him, but I just hate the glee in which the MSM always says he was "fired."
-Dave
The media backlash was so
October 12, 2009 - 06:36 ET by motherbeltThe media backlash was so strong that ESPN would have had to fire him, even if they did not want to.
Right, they fired him for media backlash, and that's the pity of it. Heaven forbid anyone should stand up to the MEDIA! (Yea, I know: don't argue with people who buy ink by the barrel).
It just gives leftists more power; which is why they think they can now dictate to the KC owners who they can and can't sell to.
Do they plan to investigate the politics of everyone who makes a bid?
mb
October 12, 2009 - 06:48 ET by FeynmanFanNot everyone. Just the conservatives.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
Two statements jumped out
October 12, 2009 - 06:54 ET by motherbeltTwo statements jumped out at me in this discussion (emphasis mine):
Romans: Should the NFL allow Limbaugh to purchase or invest?
Smith: If he has the dollars, he should be allowed to do it.
Even Smith is speaking in the language of "allowing" Rush to participate in capitalism.
I wish someone had said, or would say: What
gives an aggrieved group of black people and journalists the right to
decide, based on their own criteria, who should be "allowed" to take part in capitalism, and to buy in the public marketplace???
Well, mb, I'd guess it's
October 12, 2009 - 07:06 ET by FeynmanFanWell, mb, I'd guess it's that "entitlement" mentality at work.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
Smith nails it
October 12, 2009 - 00:21 ET by UnsaneIf Limbaugh owns the Rams, and is paying his players...hmmmm, Limbaugh's money is as good as anyone else's. You think for one second that in the end any player will care who pays them? NO. As long as the checks don't bounce, what's the problem?
Props to Stephen A. Smith for pointing out the obvious, and above all for having the guts to say it.
(I wonder if the Left is considering for one moment why Limbaugh is in contention for this team to begin with. Could it be - and I don't know for sure if this is in fact the case - that the team is too expensive, after taxes, for anyone in Georgia Frontiere's family to inherit?)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Two types of owners
October 12, 2009 - 00:31 ET by legacyrepublicanSmith could have added that there are two types of owners.
1. Votes for taxing my NFL salary to death.
2. Votes for not taxing my NFL salary to death.
Whom do you want to play for if you only have four precious years in the NFL?
RAMS losing season thus far
October 12, 2009 - 00:37 ET by ebayerYa know...if the "LAMBS" were having a winning season,threats from black players might have some clout.
I say,good riddance to the dead weight.
What do the RAMS have to lose by the black players walking and Rush coming onboard.
Maybe some younger motivated players will be given a chance and things will turn around.
Cya bro...
Hurr Durr
October 12, 2009 - 00:37 ET by someloudthunderWhy do all the black sportscasters see the ridiculousness behind the liberal butthurt but these white sportscasters are all up in arms.
I heard that fat gullets SNARKY comment about Rush on Sports Center after the Denver/Patriots game.
He is just jealous that a
October 12, 2009 - 01:32 ET by MrSnugglesHe is just jealous that a former sports commentator, like himself, is rich enough to own a NFL Team while he can only hang his hat on owning a small sailboat.
Unreasonable
October 12, 2009 - 01:59 ET by KC MulvilleSmith is right. These athletes have spent their whole lives preparing for their extremely brief shot at the NFL, and they're going to throw all that away to make a statement about Rush Limbaugh? That's hardly a credible threat. No athlete will walk away from their career.
Remember, there's really only one guy who ever walked away from the NFL to make a point: Jim Brown. But his point was that they were trying to prevent him from making movies, where he was making an even bigger fortune.
Dismantlement en fuego
October 12, 2009 - 02:05 ET by Mr. ProsodyIf this doesn't highlight the fact that the true racial provocateurs are mostly guilty white liberals manuevering to wring incendiary jibes out of black commentators, nothing can.
Ms. Romans' shellshocked sputtering will certainly leave the flecks of her failure all over the anchordesk, and Mr. Smith will likely enjoy a dearth of invitations back.
Dismantlement en fuego
October 12, 2009 - 02:06 ET by Mr. ProsodyIf this doesn't highlight the fact that the true racial provocateurs are mostly guilty white liberals manuevering to wring incendiary jibes out of black commentators, nothing can.
Ms. Romans' shellshocked sputtering will certainly leave the flecks of her failure all over the anchordesk, and Mr. Smith will likely enjoy a dearth of invitations back.
It was about the media.
October 12, 2009 - 06:27 ET by imau2fanI was just stunned that Smith actually got the quote right--that Rush was pointing his jibe at the media. Most others have either lazily or deliberately just claimed Rush was taking a racist shot at McNabb.
I think Smith actually
October 12, 2009 - 10:12 ET by RescuedByRushI think Smith actually listens to some of the conservative talk radio bunch. I know he listens to Levin, and was actually a guest on Levin's show not too long ago. He was pretty critical of the current administration in the conversation that he had with Levin. It was refreshing to hear.
Don't you see?
October 12, 2009 - 07:00 ET by AJBAll those up in arms about Rush saying the media wanted a black quarterback to do well -- where are you when the EXACT SAME THING is reality in politics? The ONLY reason the State Run Media is propping up Obozo is their instance that a Black President do well. They can see nothing but color and if it's not a socially acceptable color, then they're against it.
Spot on. And what's worse
October 12, 2009 - 07:17 ET by HockeyKidSpot on. And what's worse is that, as long as they insist on focusing on color, Obama's dismal performance is going to be a millstone around the neck of any future blacks trying to run for president.
I just can't begin to understand how liberals continue to get the majority of the black vote when their behavior and policies are nothing less than the plantation South in political form.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Steven A is usually strait
October 12, 2009 - 07:13 ET by EdhenrySteven A is usually strait talk, couragous and accurate. He is dead on again.
Which means he'll soon be
October 12, 2009 - 07:18 ET by HockeyKidWhich means he'll soon be accused of being "not black enough".
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
BOOM! Home run! The Rocky
October 12, 2009 - 08:35 ET by wiwfBOOM! Home run!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
I
October 12, 2009 - 09:11 ET by jessieHI agree. Rush has the money. Let him buy the Rams. I don't think they will play any worse than they have been. If they don't want to play for Rush, then get on down the road. Maybe they can go to Detroit. Won't matter, they still aren't earning their pay.
→ What the hey?
October 12, 2009 - 09:12 ET by Cool ArrowMarge Schott.
Nuff said.
DID ANYONE HEAR CANADIAN JOHN
October 12, 2009 - 10:23 ET by InfidelphiaSaunders commenting on Rush's bid for the Rams? ''How did an upstanding guy like Dave Chekitts get mixed up with Limbaugh?'' or some such disparaging remark. If Rush is allowed to participate in capitalism and gets the Rams, there willl be a new "America's Team.''
Re America's Team
October 12, 2009 - 10:56 ET by slickwillie2001I was thinking about that term as well. The Atlanta Braves became 'America's Team' to some extent because Ted Turner put all of their games on TBS, which was one of the first superstations in the early days of Cable TV. I wonder if Rush's popularity might do the same to some extent, and drive even more listeners to his radio program.
Limbaugh's money not black enough for NFL
October 12, 2009 - 17:35 ET by jefflebowskiFace it, the real reason Rush is catching so much flack is because he's a white conservative. You wouldn't hear this if the moronic Michael Moore wanted to buy the Rams. It's racism, straight up racism! (apologies to the horrendous Janeane Garofalo!) Here's my blog article on Rush:
http://angrywhitedud...
Angry White Dude
Get anyone to read your
October 12, 2009 - 17:44 ET by Free StinkerGet anyone to read your blog yet Mr. "Conservative with a Brain" ?
jefflebowski - The Beauty of Capitalism - Moore.... (ACA)
October 12, 2009 - 17:47 ET by acaiguanaThe beauty of Capitalism is that Rush has the money to buy the team.
Michael Moore neither has nor will ever have the money to buy the team.
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
Captialism is a thing of beauty, isn't it!
October 12, 2009 - 17:51 ET by Free StinkerHey Aca!
Nice to see you've been coming around these days. :-)
Captialism is a thing of beauty, isn't it!
Free - kinda separates the 'wheat from the chaff' - huh?
October 12, 2009 - 17:57 ET by acaiguanaFollow the Iguanaboyz or Iguana Boyz on Twitter. They are looking for an award.
Any award that involves a Keg as part of the prize.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
Yep ! ;-)
October 12, 2009 - 18:05 ET by Free StinkerYep ! ;-)
just havingt a big
October 13, 2009 - 21:30 ET by JAJTjust havingt a big discussion with my sports loving, Philadelphia eagles fan hubby. he said i "cringed" when Rush made that comment about Dononvan years ago, i don't remember because i was not paying attention at that time. i told my Husband, did you agree with Rush at the time? were you actually thrilled to have McNabb as QB? he admitted no and that Rush spoke what many in Philadelphia was saying but then added "but but but...." anyways, i hope Rush sues the hell out of these MSM for false slander. if the NFL can accept a convict like Vicks, a drug addict like Ricky Williams and you can bet they willl accept Plexico back after he completes his jail terms. so kudos to Smith for saying it like it is. i would become a Rams fan just to support Limbaugh if ever became a owner (well-third after the niners and the eagles) JAJT