Limbaugh says McNabb is overrated

This is not original reporting. Information has been compiled from The Washington Post article "Forward Progress for Minorities is Seen" by Leonard Shapiro.

Rush Limbaugh made a controversial comment about the struggling Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on ESPN's Sunday NFL pre-game show, which could weaken his reputation as a football analyst.

Limbaugh argues that McNabb is overrated and has been hyped because he is a black quarterback. "I don't think he's been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said on Sept 28. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. They're interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. I think there's a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he really didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

In a news conference Wednesday, October 1 McNabb responded to Limbaugh's comment. McNabb was hurt by the comments but did not request an apology. "It's pretty heavy," said McNabb. "An apology would do no good because he obviously thought about it before he said it...There should have been a comment made, even if it's a camera guy...Someone should have said something....It's not something I can say won't bother me. But look at the big picture and say what about the other black quarterbacks in the league, or the kids in college who look up to these guys."

Limbaugh supported his opinion in another statement he made on his Wednesday, October 1 radio show. "All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something. If I wasn't right, there wouldn't be a cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sportswriter community....This is such a mountain out of a molehill. There's no racism here. There's no racist intent whatsoever," said Limbaugh.

Still, McNabb has been voted to the Pro Bowl the past three years and led the Eagles to the NFC title game the past two years. In three games this season McNabb has rushed for 156 yards on 19 carries. However, McNabb's passing game has been sub-par this season with a quarterback rating of 49.5 and he has thrown three interceptions. In the 2002 season, his quarterback rating was 86.0 and he threw six interceptions in 10 games.

Statistics compiled from nfl.com