News that Rush Limbaugh is party to a group bidding for a National Football League team has revived discussions of race on the sports page. Readers are being reminded of Limbaugh's short-lived career as an NFL commentator on ESPN -- a career that ended in controversey following his racially tinged statement about African-American quarterback Donovan McNabb, which included the following:

Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. 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. 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.

Limbaugh's bid has drawn fire from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "I've said many times before, we're all held to a high standard here and I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about," Goodell said of Limbaugh's reputation for stirring controversey. "I would not want to see those comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL, absolutely not."

Just this year, Commissioner Goodell initiated the NFL's moves
to ameliorate the lack of diversity among coaches and executives of color, embracing and broadening application of the Rooney Rule. Analyzed in this ACS Issue Brief by attorney Douglas Proxmire, the Rooney Rule requires the NFL to interview at least one minority for any coaching or front office position. 

In The Nation, sports writer David Zirin catalogs both recent commentary by Limbaugh expressing racially provocative views and the reactions of several NFL players. For his part, Zirin calls for League officials to block the purchase, writing: 

[F]inancial scuzziness aside, Limbaugh's bid must be stopped. The NFL owners have the power to nix any prospective owner, and if they have a shred of conscience in their overfed, underworked bodies, they should collectively veto Limbaugh's joining their exclusive club.

And for the first time, an NFL team owner today voiced his perspective. "I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," remarked Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need."

Among others making their voice heard on Limbaugh's bid is Stephen Colbert, offering the perspective you can watch below: