Irsay’s “Rush” to Judgment
The following was originally written by Jason Hammer. Hammer is the host of “Sports Sunday” which airs Sunday nights from 5-8 on Newstalk 1430, WXNT-AM.
For arguments sake, let’s just ASSUME that Rush Limbaugh is actually serious about buying the St. Louis Rams and this is NOT a publicity stunt…Let’s just go with that…That being said, where are all those people who BEGGED and PLEADED for Michael Vick to get a “second” chance? Where are all the people who are happy that Ricky Williams is back doing well? Those people appeared to have went away and hidden while this whole Rush/Rams thing is taking place. Why have so many current owners who agreed to let a guy back into the NFL after he ran a 7 year felony that included dog fighting, gambling. and lying to the feds and commissioner so quick to toss out the notion that Rush wants to buy a team? These are questions that need to be answered.
On Tuesday, Colts Owner Jim Irsay stated that Rush would not get his vote to become an owner of the St. Louis Rams. Really? Is this the same Jim Irsay who battled pill addicition (just like Rush) a few years ago? Is this the same Jim Irsay who brought back Ed Johnson this past season after his off the field troubles? Is this the same Jim Irsay who stated that everyone needs a second chance? My question is, where is Rush’s?
If this whole Michael Vick escapade taught us anything, it’s that people LOVE to use the catch-phrase “Second Chance.” That’s all I heard was “everyone deserves a second chance.” Where is Rush Limbaugh’s? Last time I checked, this was the United States of America and if a guy has the money to buy something and the current owner wants to sell, what is the big deal?
In a league where there are convicted felons, wife beaters, drunk drivers and drug users, are you seriously telling me that a talk show host whose job is to make people shocked is the worst thing? Really?
Am I to believe that Rush is so bad and so much worse than those guys that he doesn’t deserve a “second chance?” Rush once made racially insensitive comments on television. T.O once made homophobic remarks about Jeff Garcia. Rush made racially insensitive comments, while Ray Lewis was involved in a murder scandal. Mike Vick, Donte Stallworth (who will be back next year), Chris Henry, Ricky Williams, Dominic Rhodes, etc…all have had MAJOR off the field issues that trump anything Rush has ever done.
Is it because Rush is a rich, white conservative? Is that why we don’t hear the outcry for “everyone deserves a second chance?” If Rush were black, would the same people who went out and bought Mike Vick #7 Eagles jerseys be calling into my show and others to support him? There appears to be a real double-standard here set by the NFL, fans and the hypocritical owners, ESPECIALLY the second chance loving, former pill popping Jim Irsay.
Just ask yourself what is worse for the league. Is it a guy who wants to buy a team and be part of rebuilding a winner in a great sports town like St. Louis? Or, is it allowing law breakers second and third chances to make millions of dollars and providing bad press for a team and their fanbase? What is worse? The NFL needs to follow their own lead and make “second chances” valid for all who are deserving, not just certain African Americans or certain Whites. This is going to get very racially interesting.
This has NOTHING to do with your political stance. If you like, hate or are indifferent about Rush, how can you look me in the eye and say Mike Vick belongs in the NFL and Rush doesn’t? The owners and Jim Irsay need to stop pretending they are holier than thou. They allowed Vick and others back with this whole “second chance” stuff, now they need to do the same for Rush.
