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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are attacking a bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams.
They say the conservative radio host’s track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.
Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and “anti-NFL” in some of his comments.
Jackson says Limbaugh has made his wealth “appealing to the fears of whites” with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.
Limbaugh shot back on his radio show, saying: “I believe in freedom and I also don’t discriminate.”
In 2003, Limbaugh resigned from ESPN’s NFL pregame show after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.
Asked about Limbaugh’s bid to purchase the Rams, McNabb said: “If he’s rewarded to buy them, congratulations to him. But I won’t be in St. Louis any time soon.”
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