Wednesday, October 01, 2003

Rush Limbaugh is in trouble for saying that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb is overrated, and that it might have something to do with race.

According to news reports, Limbaugh, in his Sunday night ESPN gig, said:
I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. 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. 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.
Well, I've got news for you. Limbaugh is right. McNabb is overrated. And after years of racism in the NFL keeping black quarterbacks out of the league or on the bench (see my post from a few weeks ago on that subject), the pendulum has now swung the other way. Donovan McNabb has been lavished with praise for being okay.

Is McNabb talented? Yes. Does he deserve a spot in the league? Without question. But the cold, hard facts simply don't bear out the notion that this guy is the second coming of Fran Tarkenton. Still, the race-hustlers will harangue ABC/Disney until this whole thing comes to a head. While Social Security may be the "third rail" of American politics, Limbaugh has just touched the third rail of American discourse.

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