Video: Steve King grills NFL commissioner on hypocrisy over Limbaugh
posted at 6:40 pm on October 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Rush responded to this afterwards, but since I’m lifting the video from Radio Equalizer, I’ll make you click over there to read the quote. Consider this the solution to the mystery of why Olbermann, of all people, defended Limbaugh’s ownership bid: He knew this type of questioning would inevitably result and that any liberal associated with the NFL who’s ever popped off (like, say, Keith Olbermann) would henceforth be scrutinized by conservatives for proof of pro football’s double standard. You asked for it, Goodell. And you got it.
If you’ve never read this contemporaneous defense of Limbaugh’s comments about McNabb by Allen Barra, who truly is one of the better sportswriters in America, do it now.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Blah, who cares… Rush should have known not to get involved… though it’s not his fault he was approached…
ninjapirate on October 28, 2009 at 6:45 PM
“Um yes Congressman, we allow, rapists, felons, alleged murderers, and dog killers in the league, but Limbaugh would have just hurt our image.”
–Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the No Fun League
alohapundit on October 28, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Goodell is a lying, wimpy dog.
He got his a$$ handed to him here.
mankai on October 28, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Can you be held in contempt of Congress, for failure to address a question? If not, then why did all the Commies back in the Nixon/McCarthy days take the 5th? They could have just blathered on about “divisive comments” and “bringing people together” like the Commish did.
Maybe that’s why Rep. King concluded his remarks with an admonition: “I’m going to demand your response to the slut-owners in writing.”
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:48 PM
National Felons League
SDarchitect on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Hey, what’s sauce for the goose …
OhioCoastie on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Rep. Peter King got Goodell good. J-Lo and Fergie are by far worse.
Goodell wants the popular liberal culture to be part of the NFL and not a conservative.
Goodell is a pathetic commissioner.
cubachi on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I don’t think Goodell was expecting that line of questioning….
HA!
Seven Percent Solution on October 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Obviously Rep King doesn’t understand. Fergie is a woman, and J-Lo is a hispanic woman. They can’t be held accountable for things they say (actually, things that are written for them to sing).
Rush is a white male. He must be held to account for everything, even things he didn’t say.
Also, Goodell can suck it, POS loser.
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 6:55 PM
I agree with above, Goodell got his rear handed to him on a silver platter. The hypocrisy about this whole issue is astounding. Good for Rep King. Goodell is slime…….
catlady on October 28, 2009 at 6:56 PM
I’ve pretty much lost interest in the NFL.
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Oh, forgot to add, it doesn’t matter what this guy says, what the NFL does, or whom they employ. There is a sizable enough sector of the population that will continue to worship handegg no matter what.
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Boy, does Goodell come off as a spineless moron in this clip. As, Pete Rozelle rolls in his grave….
ktrush on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
J-lo’s just jealous cause her rear is larger than Rush’s these days….
catlady on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Right image is right.
Goodell: The NFL is about bringing people together.
WTF??
I thought it was business organization for playing professional football?
Bringing people together? The whole appeal of professional sports is to passionately root for your team against the other team. The whole idea is to pit one entity against another entity with a winner take all reward at the end.
Bringing people together? Does anyone here even know what that means? Even Hallmark doesn’t claim that. You send a card through the mail.
keep the change on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
The irony is that J-Lo and Fergie would not afford the NFL the kind of freedom to chose that Rush has.
spmat on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
The NFL Commissioner should run for the senate. He can avoid answering a question as well as Reid or Pelosi, or even “The One”. And what he said made no sense what so ever. Representative King put it too him in plain, Iowa language, and this guy just dribbles over himself.
Limbaugh got screwed because he is a conservative with a platform, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I had no idea the NFL was a liberal hangout.
kam582 on October 28, 2009 at 6:58 PM
The owners knucked under to the players big time. The whole dynamic of their relationship is going to be redefined, now that the players have veto power over the owners.
unclesmrgol on October 28, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Limbaugh has said specific things about African Americans — including, most notably that some NFL players are overhyped simply because they are black — that have pissed off players in the NFL, to the point where one player said he wouldn’t play for Limbaugh.
That’s when the pressure on the potential Rams buyers to drop Limbaugh started. As Allah points out, before that Olberman was defending Limbaugh’s right to purchase the team.
Limbaugh being dropped by the the investment group wasn’t the result of leftist attacks on him. Resistance to his bid was not because we was conservative. It was a result of Limbaugh’s words coming back to bite him in the ass.
Tom_Shipley on October 28, 2009 at 7:02 PM
The NFL is supposed to be about entertaining its fans. I don’t find it very entertaining any more.
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 7:03 PM
I like Rep. Steve King from Northwestern Iowa. He’s a very good man.
yoda on October 28, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Simple solution, watch football on Saturday instead on Sunday.
Knott Buyinit on October 28, 2009 at 7:05 PM
What teams name some. Rape, Drug Use, Dog Fighting shooting themselves in the VIP section of Da Club. I guess that is unity in criminal behavior.
cobrakai99 on October 28, 2009 at 7:06 PM
i am a lifelong redskins fan. Fortunately for me, the Skins have also lost interest in the NFL, so it makes it easier to not watch.
Red State State of Mind on October 28, 2009 at 7:08 PM
You didn’t even watch the video. Don’t lie and say you did, because the quote that you don’t give doesn’t match what was said.
lrn2troll cause you are
kind offailing at it now.Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 7:08 PM
oh noes…..did the little itty bitty african americans get their feeling hurt??? awwww…that’s too bad. maybe give them some nice guns to play with to make them feel all better!!!
Ghoul aid on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Why is the government involved in the NFL in any way? This is as ridiculous as the steroid hearings for MLB. The government is falling apart at the seems and we are seeing hearings on MLB & the NFL. Do they call these hearings so they can be in the same room with famous athletes. God help this country!
truetexan on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Resistance was because his divisive words were from the right, whereas the divisive words of the J Lo and others are from the Left. The point King was making is that “divisiveness” is not the problem, but the political direction from which that divisiveness comes. Therein lies the need to expose the hypocrisy of Goodell’s attack of Rush. Just call a spade a spade. It’s political. Say nasty things as a liberal, and you, as a prospective NFL owner are welcome. Say even critical things as a conservative, and you are disqualified. That is what the “right” image referred to. Or should I say, “left” image.
keep the change on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Goodell didn’t come off sounding too bright. From the clip played he is not an impressive individual.
I hope King will do what he says – invite him back to respond to his questions about the double standard.
If the worm turns and Republicans retake congress and Obama’s popularity continues to dive, this spineless weasel may backpedal on Limbaugh.
chris999 on October 28, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Wow, great stuff. Goodell is a PC wimp.
therightwinger on October 28, 2009 at 7:10 PM
The comments and song lyrics of J-Lo and Fergie are irrelevent to this discussion.
Liam on October 28, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Other than the incident that Rep. King quotes, name others. And a player that says he will not play for an owner, yeah right. They will play for who ever is paying them. For some of them, if it were not for their God given talent, they would be in prison or on welfare.
kam582 on October 28, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Goodell acts like a cuckold.
SouthernGent on October 28, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Sooner or later the St Louis Rams would have come to St Louis or MO for money for a new stadium.
Rush would have been put into a hypocritical position. Begging for public funds to support his business interest.
He was given a blessing in disguise by getting removed from the ownership team.
jpmn on October 28, 2009 at 7:12 PM
So you’re saying it’s okay that conservatives shouldn’t be allowed to own an NFL team…
StevefromMKE on October 28, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Goodell is a libtard hack.
hawkman on October 28, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Well first of all, Keith Olbermann doesn’t work for the NFL. Secondly, J-Lo and Fergie have never made racial comments about NFL players.
SoulGlo on October 28, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Truth hurts. Apply political correctness band aid.
Greed on October 28, 2009 at 7:14 PM
I think what happened to Rush sucks…and King’s points are well taken. But remind me again….why is Congress spending their time on this??
dont taze me bro on October 28, 2009 at 7:15 PM
You said it, brother. College football is SO much better. When athletes play for the love of the game, rather than a paycheck, and every week is playoffs.
John the Libertarian on October 28, 2009 at 7:16 PM
What was this hearing for? I don’t understand what Congress had to do with this.
sammypants on October 28, 2009 at 7:17 PM
I was thinking the same thing. T.S. couldn’t have watched/listened to that video and make such a statement with a straight face.
diogenes on October 28, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Bwaahhahahhahahahahaha!!!!!
John the Libertarian on October 28, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Anyone who hasn’t read the Allen Barra article (linked to in Allah’s post) really needs to do so. Some commenters here would do themselves a service before spouting off with little background.
Barra knows his sport stuff. It’s well written, revelatory, and was done in the real time of that 2003 moment.
marybel on October 28, 2009 at 7:19 PM
The hearing was on helmet safety.
I kid you not.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 7:19 PM
I was so glad when football season started because it was to be a break from politics. It had yet to become mired in pc Obama worship. But Noooooo! I’m done with it. At least there’s still Woman’s beach volleyball.
ronsfi on October 28, 2009 at 7:20 PM
And? He’s also said specific things about whitey too.
Wow, one whole player? Just curious….did anyone say he had to play for Rush?
Beware the unicorns….they bite. On the bright side though, since you seem to be into make-believe, Santa Claus will coming in a few months.
xblade on October 28, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Awesome. I think he could have gotten even harsher than he did.
silverfox on October 28, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Tom Shipley -
Every single thing in your post is incorrect. I know you can’t be that stupid or ill-informed.
chris999 on October 28, 2009 at 7:21 PM
It’s hard to believe that tool Goodell is married to that Fox knock-out Jane Skinner….They must have had some interesting conversations over dinner…
sirpatrick on October 28, 2009 at 7:22 PM
That just made my day.
Dopenstrange on October 28, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Yeah that was totally believable, not .
He’d play for the biggest pay check. They all would. I love the pretense of taking a moral stand though – vapid posturing is all it is.
Most of the NFL players would play for Bin Laden if he owned a team and cut the largest check.
Anders on October 28, 2009 at 7:24 PM
oh noes…..did the little itty bitty african americans get their feeling hurt??? awwww…that’s too bad. maybe give them some nice guns to play with to make them feel all better!!!
Ghoul aid on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Tom Shitley has selective hearing I reckon.
cableguy615 on October 28, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Well, obviously words matter, oh sorry, only conservatives’ words.
I heard Jamie Fox call Miley Cyrus, just a young kid, a white B, but I guess that doesn’t matter, bet he can own an NFL team. Of course, Jamie’s probably jealous because she can sing better than him, but hey, she’s white, so she’s fair game.
Goodell is a worm, we have so many in prominent positions, these days. Hmmmmm
texanpride on October 28, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Is Jane Skinner really married to this guy? No, really!!
If the NFL doesn’t want conservatives owning teams then maybe they don’t want us par-taking in any NFL stuff.
This man is about to lose my business; I have season tickets to a team.
Commissioner call out the 2 itches that own the Dolphins.
mmcnamer1 on October 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Rush called a black man……a black man. Dontcha’ know, big whitey CANNOT do that; only blacks can talk about blacks being black. Whitey is not allowed to speak or opine; just work, pay taxes & keep your big whitey thoughts inside your fat head.
Ris4victory on October 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM
The economy is circling the drain and we’re losing American lives in Afghanistan, and our idjits in DC are worried about overpaid athletes. Sheesh.
At least if they are having this dog and pony show, good for King for standing against liberal smears.
Laura in Maryland on October 28, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Dude, this…
Is a fair and accurate depiction of what Limbaugh said. He said the media wants black players to succeed, so they get more credit than they deserve. I don’t see how you think what I said differs from what Limbaugh said.
Tom_Shipley on October 28, 2009 at 7:27 PM
FYI…..neither has Rush. Another FYI….commenting on race and making racist comments aren’t the same.
By the way, where was the outrage over Isiah Thomas being allowed to coach NBA and college basketball teams, as well as serve in management positions in the NBA over the racist comments he made about Larry Bird?
Yeah, funny how that works, isn’t it?
xblade on October 28, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Rush = Promotional Genius. You think this was an accident? On the contrary, it created LOYALTY en masse.
marklmail on October 28, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Didn’t McNabb really screw up a big play last week? I’m not into sports but it seems Rush’s assessment years ago just won supporting evidence.
Liam on October 28, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Steve King should be told to submit his resignation as NFL Commissioner or be fired; he is yet another damn liar in a position of authority.
IntheNet on October 28, 2009 at 7:30 PM
But my overall point is that he’s said specific things that have pissed off black NFL players. Some of them were outspoken about their opposition to Limbaugh being an owner, and Goodell backed them.
It wasn’t that Limbaugh has said controversial things in the past. It was that he said controversial things that have specifically pissed off players in the NFL.
Tom_Shipley on October 28, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Limbaugh being dropped by the the investment group wasn’t the result of leftist attacks on him. Resistance to his bid was not because we was conservative. It was a result of Limbaugh’s words coming back to bite him in the ass.
Tom_Shipley
___________________________________________________________
Why are liberals incapable of sticking to the facts about anything?
Dopenstrange on October 28, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Yeah, and Roger Goodell should give up his house seat.
Tom_Shipley on October 28, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Dude,
Why do you have to describe what Limbaugh said? Why don’t you quote him?
Oh thats right, you are a braindead hack and the truth would upset the nice little house of cards that you have built for yourself.
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Because facts always destroy their bigoted arguments. Liberals proceed from a premise. Anything not fitting the premise is to be ignored if it can’t be destroyed first.
Liam on October 28, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Yeah, and Roger Goodell should give up his house seat.
Tom_Shipley
____________________________________________________________
That’s actually pretty, Ship. Maybe you’re not all bad…
Dopenstrange on October 28, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Pretty funny. Sorry.
Dopenstrange on October 28, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Oops… I typed that post way too quick!!! Regrets….
IntheNet on October 28, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Try not to resemble wiki – he said that about one player – who was, at least according to the people in the know (see: “Allen Barra, who truly is one of the better sportswriters in America”), a mediocrity and who became a QB because he is black. I will tell you a secret, universities in America also have been known to accept people who really do not qualify, but do it solely based on the color of their skin (see: affirmative action), but don’t tell anyone this is just between you and me.
runner on October 28, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Because I didn’t watch the video and didn’t know Limbaugh’s exact quote off the top of my head. But I think I described it pretty accurately.
I have my moments.
Tom_Shipley on October 28, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Revised….
Roger Goodell should be told to submit his resignation as NFL Commissioner or be fired; he is yet another damn liar in a position of authority.
IntheNet on October 28, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Conservatives can’t get hired as university professors and journalists. They are now not allowed to buy sports teams. Pretty soon the only jobs we will be allowed to do is clean up the sh*t of liberals. Really why should any conservative care?
Paul in Poco on October 28, 2009 at 7:41 PM
LOL! Epic liberalism. “Uh, er, I don’t have all the facts… but I have a really strong opinion.”
John the Libertarian on October 28, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Liberals are the most closed minded people on the planet. It is just disgusting. They have done worse running this country than any conservative has ever done.
WyoMike on October 28, 2009 at 7:43 PM
And you just proved my point. If you cared about the facts and what was actually said you would watch the video. But, since you make comment after comment all based on what you think was said, it shows that you-the mighty liberal with a quick mind and need for facts and logic-are nothing but a small, petty, weak (both morally and emotionaly)man.
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 7:43 PM
LOL! Epic liberalism. “Uh, er, I don’t have all the facts… but I have a really strong opinion.”
John the Libertarian on October 28, 2009 at 7:42 PM
________________________________________________________
Good stuff…
Dopenstrange on October 28, 2009 at 7:44 PM
The facts might not be true but the story is accurate.
Liam on October 28, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I like Rush and I think he was unfairly rail-roaded by the media.
That being said, I think the NFL has the right to determine who can and cannot be an owner and I think it’s a waste of time and – quite frankly, inappropriate – for any congressman to grill a private citizen about this.
PackerBronco on October 28, 2009 at 7:46 PM
So, if someone wants to buy into a different business like, say, you want to buy a corner grocery store, all the other grocery store owners in your county reserve right to decide whether or not you’re ‘allowed’ to buy that business?
Liam on October 28, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Yeah, not much of a loss for a Redskins fan. I bet Goodell thinks Dan Snyder is a good owner.
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I hope AP keeps a hall of shame for comments. If he does, that one deserves its own wing.
Blarg the Destroyer on October 28, 2009 at 7:53 PM
“My strong opinion more than makes up for my lack of facts or logic!”
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Yes, he’s my congressman, and he doesn’t just sit on his hands! Iowa should be proud to have him–I know I am!
lovingmyUSA on October 28, 2009 at 7:57 PM
The fact of the matter is, that at that time, there WAS a lot of hype about McNabb. A LOT OF HYPE. You would have thought he was the best quarterback ever to take the field. And the fact that he was a BLACK QUARTERBACK wasn’t first discussed by Limbaugh. It would show up in A LOT of the discussion, frankly, Limbaugh was stating the obvious, and he got slammed for it, because HE’S WHITE, and WHITES aren’t allowed to say ANYTHING about the blatant reverse racism and hypocrisy on the left. We will never ever have a color blind society, not because of conservatives, or good old boys down south, but because those on the left absolutely WILL NOT allow honest debate and talk about racism from anyone on the right who is white.
flyfishingdad on October 28, 2009 at 7:58 PM
That’s the first time I’ve seen Goodell extensively.
They made Tank MacNamara commissioner of the NFL.
Dr. Carlo Lombardi on October 28, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Actually, I think he got slammed for it more because he’s Limbaugh.
Keith Olbermann could have easily gotten away with the same statement.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Right! The last time players tried that, I stopped watching the NFL for 5 years.
That was when some players were pissed off that Arizona wasn’t making MLK Day a State holiday. They said they would not play a Superbowl there. My response: “This is not very entertaining”.
As soon as players start grabbing microphones and telling me what is right and wrong, they’ve lost me. For the most part, they are a bunch of retards who I don’t want to hear from. I just want to watch them perform, because they are entertainers.
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Yeeaaa thats’ my Congressman we need a whole congress and Senate full of Steve Kings
dhunter on October 28, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Eh, you are probably right notropis, but only because, while Olbermann is a white dude, he’s also a raging, spitting, lunatic fringe, leftist as well.
flyfishingdad on October 28, 2009 at 8:07 PM
The NFL website lets you send feedback messages. I suggest you do as I did and let them know how you feel. Even better, turn off the NFL until they come to their senses.
ClanDerson on October 28, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I am torn. Might I watch a brutal sport (the NFL) that I grew up with or might I stand by my principles and say that if an outspoken independent mind is not permitted to participate, I shall not enter?
clorensen on October 28, 2009 at 8:13 PM
The Left is such a bunch of haters. They lie, they misquote, they masquerade as “caring”, their trolls suck, and they can’t argue the facts only politics of personal destruction. Rush is no racist but he is a conservative so he can be demonized for any made up reason.
Haunches on October 28, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Which is really what everyone should be, if they’re white…. Well, it’s what everyone should be, regardless of color.
Then we can be truly post-racial and post-partisan.
Mmmm mmmm mmmm.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 8:16 PM
What is really confusing is that Roger’s father was a Republican Senator from NY. Roger is married to FOX news anchor, Jane Skinner, who is the daughter of Sam Skinner, the former White House Chief of Staff under Pres. George H.W. Bush, go figure.
redridinghood on October 28, 2009 at 8:18 PM
No shiite My thoughts exactly WTF is the congress of the US doing involved in football injuries?
On the other hand while their busy ef’n up an already ef’ed up NFL they won’t be messin with my healthcare or givin my hard earned money to a bunch of porch sittin, quart drinkin, professional baby makers who are too lazy and stupid to get a job.
The arrogance of our elected officials knows no bounds. We need to throw em all out (except Steve King) and then make their jobs parttime, about 3 months, and no benefits and no re-elections. Send the crapweasals packing!
dhunter on October 28, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Exactly. His love for a wholesome sport led him to try and join the back office. And that’s basically lawful racketeering. It pleases the current mayor and city council of NFLtown to guarantee ticket sales and a sweetheart deal to bring/keep the NFL in town…because they get all the credit…and the NFL loves it because they get their money up front, and long before the pain kicks in they’ll give another mayor a chance to be a hero with a new stadium. Their greed for graft has made the NFL turn down five serious offers to come back to Los Angeles in 10 years. If Rush made megamoney off tax dollars he’d be in real trouble with his true career.
Chris_Balsz on October 28, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »