Dan Snyder Unifies Redskins Fans in Misery--Rush Limbaugh Could Do Better
By Doug Heye, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
"It's about unity...we do not move towards divisive actions," National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
How fitting it was that Goodell made the comment in Washington, a town that knows the concept of unity better than any other. Washington is unified like never before. Not, however, because of promises of unity from President Barack Obama or former President George W. Bush. No, the only person who can successfully unite Washington is Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder.
Opinion on Snyder is unanimous; Snyder is universally reviled in Washington; torn apart daily in Washington's newspapers, sports blogs, and taxicabs.
When some enterprising Redskin fans were photographed at the Detroit Lions debacle with an impromptu sign reading "Fire Dan Snyder," it took off like wildfire. Redskin crowds began to look like fans waving signs at WWE matches or requesting "Candy's Room" at a Bruce Springsteen concert. So the Redskins did what they thought prudent: banned signs of any kind, regardless of content, while also curtailing television stations from interviewing fans tailgating before the loss—I mean, game.
Fans have begun fundraising to elevate their opposition to Snyder. One group is raising money for a "Dan Snyder Embarrassment Fund," while local radio station, WMAL, reported on one fan's attempts to raise money to buy "Fire Dan Snyder" ads on Metro buses throughout the city.
Before a recent book-signing in Washington, the Sports Guy, ESPN.com's Bill Simmons joked, that he would inscribe books "Sorry Snyder ruined your will to live." (At least, I think it was a joke.)
All of this came long after Snyder's decision to sue some fans unable to maintain season ticket packages. (Public Relations 101: Don't sue your own fans.)
Commissioner Goodell had no problem with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney invoking Obama immediately after winning last season's Super Bowl; he did not consider Michael Vick too divisive for the league; and, when addressing what he saw as racial divisiveness, the commissioner omitted the Redskins' obviously insensitive—some might say racist—team name. All of that is fine, but Rush Limbaugh as a minority owner of a team? Heavens, no.
Washington might actually be better served by allowing Limbaugh to take over for Snyder. Sure, it would draw howls from the Washington Post, but the team is getting that already. And could Rush possibly do any worse?
If he promised to put a team together that could defeat the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (not to mention the Lions and Kansas City Chiefs) and perhaps told fans he wouldn't sue them, frustrated Washingtonians—even some of the elites in Georgetown—might find El Rushbo a welcome alternative to fans' current collective depression.
"Nothing brings a team and a community together like the NFL," Goodell told the Committee.
Unity is not the problem. Winning, however...
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Tags: Rush Limbaugh
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Reader Comments
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Snyder is a control freak
I live in Washington Area the problem with the Redskins is the players all come here to get paid because this moron Dan Snyder cant get a GM to oversee the team because they know he wont keep out of the decisions process. The Owner cant see someone else making the cake so he does it himself so there ya have it. AS for Rush Limbaugh in our country we are under the Racial Speech Code which says whites cant critize any black people period or your racist.
Going for cheap shot
JaJa of TX
"It would be really intersting to see how an all white team would compete in the NFL."
I am finding your comment very low-brow. I know will give my reasons. Not enpty Character smears as you did.
I have been on a Conservative site for years. I don't make remarks like you did. 95% of time I write against obama. I give reasons, facts, and/or links to back my statements. You didn't.
Yes I am aware of a few remarks that some use to justify stopping Rush. Although your remarks goes well beyond. "All white team" !!! What statement assigned to Rush did you get that. You know some remarks can not be proven. You know, the really bad ones.
I can provide much more material on say Al Sharpton. Just one, Duke University soccer team and the black female stripper. No apology to the soccer players. Blind condemning white team. Of course he is not trying to buy into NFL Right, he represent Black people. Bigger thing don't you think thsn NFL ??? I think so...
You might found out history of some of the present owners are much worse than Rush. You will found some owner are 10 fold worse than your perceive view of Rush.
I know I could never reason with you on Rush. His humongous following is a thorn in the side. The man was a announcer in his early years. He loves sports. He was gaining small ownership.
You should look into your own soul. Racism/hatred comes in many forms.
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