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Scott Ott's Examiner Scrappleface: Limbaugh sparks NFL to ban divisive 'trash talk'

By: Scott Ott
Examiner Columnist
October 16, 2009

News fairly unbalanced. We report. You decipher.

Just days after controversial radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh was dropped from a syndicate seeking to purchase the St. Louis Rams pro football franchise, the NFL announced that stiff fines, suspensions and possible banishment would face players, coaches or owners who engage in divisive rhetoric.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that while the league has no current problem with divisiveness, or so-called "trash talk," "we want to send a clear signal of zero tolerance."

"The last thing that the NFL needs is an atmosphere that pits one group of people against another," said Goodell. "Football is such an American favorite because it lets us put aside our differences, and come together in one place with a common goal."

The commissioner noted that "Rush Limbaugh has made a career by being on the attack, and encouraging his listeners to defeat the opposition. That kind of talk is just unhelpful.

"We in the NFL stand against Limbaugh's 'us versus them' mentality," Goodell said. "All of this angry, abusive, back-and-forth business would hurt the game ... a game that has brought so much tranquility to Sunday afternoon."

Limbaughs' participation in a bidders' group ended this week after an outcry arose spontaneously from noted football experts like the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, as well as Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who alleged that Limbaugh's rhetoric carries racist overtones.

Commissioner Goodell added that "If the NFL stands for anything, it stands for tolerance and harmony. When families come out to watch the Cowboys go after the Redskins, we don't want them distracted by primitive racial or ethnic divisions."

Examiner Columnist Scott Ott is editor in chief of ScrappleFace.com, the world's leading family-friendly news satire source.



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Reader Comments

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Oct 16, 2009

Goodel's new policy on "trash talking" will not be tolerated in the NFL..Us versus them and defeat the opposition,is unhelpful..We need to come together for a common goal?? What in the Goodel is He talking about??It is Football,right??Why doesn't He just have a coin toss at the begining of a game,at half time,and in overtime,if each team win one toss!!!The time that it use to take to play the game could be used by letting the winners do their celebration dances,as if they accomplished something?"N-F L"=Not For Rush!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

ks

Oct 16, 2009

so, making false and libelous comments is not worthy of a real news story, just a worthless article reinforcing the lies and slander of limbaugh. this was a political hit by the left for sure. but it won't stick and may result in major lawsuits, which would be great.

 

Upnorthlurkin

Oct 16, 2009

Heh! Humor is always best when it contains an element of truth...
Once again, you hit it out of the park, Scott! The irony of course, is none of the Obots will recognize your jabs!
That the head of the "players union" was part of the Won's election campaign will never make it to a drive-by media article.

 

owlgore

Oct 16, 2009

Too funny, Keith Olberman regularly trash talks. The last time I saw him was when he said Rich Lowry was mastubating when Sarah Palin was speaking. Now that's family oriented.

 

texexpatriate

Oct 16, 2009

What a hypocrite is Goodell! The stench of fascism rises up from Goodell's office and floats over the entire league. Is this because Anmerica is dying? What the NFL is supposed to be about is "pitting one group of people against another" in order to "defeat the opposition." Aw, Jeez! I'm going to throw up.

 

Chiefssuck

Oct 17, 2009

Does this mean the NFL will follow the path of our grade school "atheletes: and no longer keep score in their games???
Having competition and winners and losers is by its very nature divisive...grow a set Mr Goodell!!

 


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