McNabb says race shouldn't be issue

By Associated Press, 10/2/2003

Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN last night, three days after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

Earlier yesterday, Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, and Rev. Al Sharpton called for the cable sports network to fire Limbaugh.

"My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated," Limbaugh said in a statement last night. "I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret.

"I love `NFL Sunday Countdown' and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it.

"Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen."

George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports, accepted the resignation.

"We regret the circumstances surrounding this," he said in a statement. "We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously."

McNabb had said earlier yesterday that he didn't mind criticism of his performance. He was upset that Limbaugh made his race an issue and said it was too late for an apology.

"It's somewhat shocking to hear that on national TV from him," McNabb said. "It's not something that I can sit here and say won't bother me."

Limbaugh insisted earlier yesterday he had "no racist intent whatsoever." In fact, he said he must have been right; otherwise, the comments would not have sparked such outrage.

Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pregame show that he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived from the start.

"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," Limbaugh said on "Sunday NFL Countdown." "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."

The NFL disclaimed any responsibility from Limbaugh's remarks. "ESPN knew what it was getting when they hired Rush Limbaugh," league vice president Joe Browne said. "ESPN selects its on-air talent, not the NFL."

Chris Berman, who anchors the ESPN show, said he did not believe Limbaugh's tone or intent was malicious.

"As cut and dry as it seems in print, I didn't think so when it went by my ears," he said. "I probably should have looked to soften it. We're sorry we upset a guy who got off to a rough start."

McNabb said someone on the show should have taken on Limbaugh. Among the other panelists are former players Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson, both of whom are black.

"I'm not pointing at anyone but someone should have said it," McNabb said of the panelists, who also include former quarterback Steve Young. "I wouldn't have cared if it was the cameraman."

Williams suspended

The 1-3 Falcons' season unraveled some more when coach Dan Reeves suspended starting cornerback Tyrone Williams for Sunday's home game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The suspension for conduct detrimental to the team followed a tirade yesterday by Williams against at least one assistant coach, believed to be either defensive coordinator Wade Phillips or secondary coach Emmitt Thomas. Team sources said that the incident, which occurred between meetings, was not the first time Williams had vented to coaches.

They hinted, however, that this occasion was particularly bilious, and that Reeves was left with little recourse. Williams is scheduled to return to the team next week.

Couch to start

Tim Couch will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at Pittsburgh, replacing the injured Kelly Holcomb for the second straight week. Holcomb broke his right leg and sprained left ankle two weeks ago at San Francisco and is not yet ready to play. Browns coach Butch Davis said Holcomb has improved and may be available as the No. 2 quarterback . . . Clinton Portis was back at practice, but the Broncos won't know if their starting running back can play this week at Kansas City until after he tests his bruised chest in contact drills. Portis ran without any problems during drills and will see if he can handle being hit in a workout today. Portis bruised his chest Sept. 14 against San Diego when Chargers safety Kwamie Lassiter hit him under the pads. He returned the next week against Oakland, but aggravated the injury after landing on his shoulder in the first half.

Redskins win in court

The Washington Redskins football team won the right to trademarks for the team's name after a US judge rejected arguments that the name disparaged American Indians.

US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly overturned an appeals board within the US Patent and Trademark Office that said the Redskins trademarks should be canceled because the word is a derogatory term, which isn't allowed under US trademark law. Kollar-Kotelly also said the seven American Indians who challenged the trademarks in 1992 waited too long to complain.

"This is undoubtedly a `test case' that seeks to use federal trademark litigation to obtain social goals," the judge wrote. "The problem, however, with this case is evidentiary."

The team, founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves, was renamed in 1933 as the Boston Redskins in honor of its then head coach, an American Indian, the decision said. The team moved to the District of Columbia in 1937 and was renamed the Washington Redskins. Trademarks for using the Redskins name in "entertainment services" were granted in 1967 to team owner Pro-Football Inc.

Brunell wants to play

Mark Brunell expects to be ready to play Sunday. Whether he will play is another question -- and whether his coach agrees with his prognosis is yet another sticking point, as the Jacksonville Jaguars take their unsettled quarterback situation into the next game, against San Diego. Brunell was cleared to practice yesterday, but was also listed as questionable on the injury report with a scraped-up elbow, a gash that required five stitches Sept. 22. Rarely one to stir things up, Brunell made his feelings clear after a practice in which he threw lightly, saying it would be frustrating not to play if he's healthy, which he feels he will be . . . Buffalo running back Travis Henry isn't sure whether sore ribs will force him to miss his second straight game. "It's going to be a game-time decision," said Henry . . . Tight end Frank Wycheck practiced for the first time in a month with the Tennessee Titans, but isn't ready to say when he'll return to the lineup. He sustained the second concussion of his career in the Titans' season opener over Oakland. He is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots . . . Curtis Conway, the New York Jets' biggest free agent signing this past offseason, now has a seat on the bench. Coach Herman Edwards said Santana Moss would start at receiver when the Jets play next, home against Buffalo Oct. 12.