DeMaurice Smith, Head of NFL Players Union, Sends Email Opposing Rush Limbaugh's Attempt to Purchase the St. Louis Rams

I have started a Facebook campaign against hatemonger Rush Limbaugh purchasing the St. Louis Rams. Yeah, the team has an abysmal record and a lot of financial problems, but Rush Limbaugh as the new owner is certainly not the answer. He is a very polarizing figure and he is just downright rude. Well, people are beginning to stand up to that pile of junk. According to ESPN, DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL players union, has written an email to the association's executive committee, detailing his opposition to any purchase of the St. Louis Rams football team by Rush Limbaugh. Smith, who is an attorney, wrote, "I've spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."

Limbaugh is a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and first mentioned his interest in owning the NFL team in spring 2009. He has teamed with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts to submit a bid. According to ESPN, the pair are among six potential bidders.Yeah, I hope they pass over his bid. I am well aware that the Rams have an abysmal performance, plus the economy downturn is certainly not working in their favor, but Rush Limbaugh as an owner sends the wrong message and it would be a really bad decision. The team is majority owned by siblings Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez and is estimated to be worth $700 million to $750 million.

You will recall that Limbaugh had a brief stint as an NFL commentator for ESPN in 2003, but was forced to resign after controversial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb:

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,'' Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

His race baiting is nothing new, but he has the hubris to think that people will just let him continue to get away with this behavior. He has called President Obama every name in the book and for what? It is okay to have differences with the president, but must he be denigrated and compared to terrorists and everything horrible by this man. It would seem that Rush Limbaugh has forgotten that his doctor hopping for Viagra was a well-documented series of events and I can't recall anyone stooping as low as he has to denigrate him. The man is scum and no amount of money will change that, but we can stand up and say enough is enough to his racist rhetoric.

UPDATE#1:  Rev. Al Sharpton has joined the fray. He has sent a letter on behalf of the The National Action Network to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

UPDATE#2:  Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams. Limbaugh was to be a limited partner in a bid led by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts. but Checketts said in a statement Wednesday that Limbaugh's participation had complicated the effort. The group will move forward without him.To think he was ranting on the radio that he does not cave in. Right. That's further proof that there is strength in numbers. Many people expressed their opposition to this man owning a professional team made up of so many African American players -- the same ones he has been pretty vocal criticizing.

Photo credit:  DeMaurice Smith, Turner