ESPN is reporting that Rush Limbaugh has resigned from Sunday NFL Countdown. Details to follow.
UPDATE: Here's the statement from Limbaugh and ESPN that was issued a few minutes ago:
In the wake of his controversial statements regarding Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Rush Limbaugh has resigned from his position on ESPN's NFL pregame show. ESPN has accepted the resignation.Limbaugh issued a statement late Wednesday night in which he wrote:
"My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated. 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, ESPN and ABC Sports, issued the following response:
"We accept his resignation and regret the circumstances surrounding this. We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously."
More to come.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Drudge is reporting that tomorrow is going to be the roughest day in Limbaugh's life, as the NY Daily News is prepared to front a piece on Limbaugh and prescription drug abuse.
Odd timing to say the least.
EARLY MORNING UPDATE: Here's the NY Daily News piece Drudge mentioned. It's the only one on that topic I'll link to, but I will leave you with this one thought: had the McNabb comment been the only item rattling around in the media echo chamber, there's little doubt Limbaugh would be back Sunday on NFL Countdown. But with this added story, ESPN executives figured they had to cut bait.
Here's a new wrinkle that wasn't reported in the initial ESPN statement:
ESPN, in a statement released earlier today, said: "Although Mr. Limbaugh today stated that his comments had 'no racist intent whatsoever,' we have communicated to Mr. Limbaugh that his comments were insensitive and inappropriate. Throughout his career, he has been consistent in his criticism of the media's coverage of a myriad of issues."
Here are some links to other pieces referring to the end of Limbaugh's ESPN gig.
The Rush Limbaugh era is over at ESPN. It was exactly what any thinking person knew it would be: nasty, brutish and short. It goosed ratings for "Sunday NFL Countdown" by 10 percent while offending legions of viewers, not just with Limbaugh's right-wing politics but with his ignorance about the game and its players.
Steven Smith, Philadelphia Inquirer:
If there was any truth to Limbaugh's idiotic assertion that the present-day media are pushing for a black quarterback to be successful, coach Bill Cowher would not have been able to push Kordell Stewart out of Pittsburgh. Aaron Brooks would be a star in New Orleans, Jeff Blake would be something other than an NFL vagabond, and there would be no need to mention Randy Moss every time Daunte Culpepper takes a deep breath.
THEY GIVE YOU SportsCenter. They inflict on you Dennis Miller. They give you ESPN Classic. They inflict on you Rush Limbaugh.
This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret.
I think maybe some of the members of the crew did stand up for Donovan after all. Good for them.
Good for football, too.
Tom
Limbaugh crossed over the tracks into the a different world…the sports world…and every sportswriter was just waiting for him to slip up. It was like blood in the water and he was chum.
ESPN knew what they were getting into and they love it. The ratings are up 10% and Rush is just one of their little experiments to get some hype. How about their version of “A Season on the Brink”?Does the name Jay Mohr ring a bell? How about the return of Jim Rome? How about the show everyone in the NFL loves: Playmakers.
Limbaugh takes the fall and ESPN moves on for the next ringer to keep the ratings up.