When Jim Irsay stopped Rush Limbaugh from joining Rams ownership

Once upon a time, Jim Irsay, Rush Limbaugh and the St. Louis Rams were all connected

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has passed away, and this is cliche because it’s true, may he rest in peace. Often when a NFL owner passes we reflect on the things they did (for better or worse) because they do so much (for better or worse), and a big thing that Irsay did for the NFL was impact the ownership group of the then St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams, of course).

Love him or hate him, Rush Limbaugh existed, and he made himself a powerful figure during his time on our Earth. Back in 2009, Limbaugh reportedly had aspirations of being a partner in owning the St. Louis Rams.

According to Chris Simms, it was Irsay who was one of the first NFL owners to say, “No”, to Limbaugh becoming part of the Rams.

Said Simms,

“One of the first things that came to my mind too when just thinking about him and his life, he was one of the first people to speak up against Rush Limbaugh buying the Rams because he had made some racially insensitive comments about Donovan McNabb. Which I always appreciated, and I think that’s what people appreciated about…Jim Irsay in general. He had the players backs more times than not…it’s really kinda rare…”

Said Irsay on Limbaugh back in ‘09,

“I, myself, couldn’t even consider voting for him,” Irsay said at the NFL Fall League Meeting. “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.”

Look, Irsay was a billionaire, and he probably didn’t always do the right thing (none of us do), and we can still give credit when it’s due. You may disagree with me, but keeping Limbaugh out of the NFL was good for the sport.

Limbaugh was a prominent media figure, no easy task, but he also said a lot of things that came across as insensitive, hateful and overall, he seemed more interested, to me, in getting visceral responses from people rather than having heartfelt dialogues.

Maybe with Limbaugh calling some of the shots, St. Louis and L.A. would’ve had more Super Bowls, I doubt it, I think they’d of had more controversy, distractions and less fans.

With all that being said, it’s pretty amazing that Irsay, the Rams and Limbaugh at one time were connected. Just from a storytelling standpoint I’m not sure it gets better.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one, Jim Irsay, the Rams and Rush Limbaugh walk into a bar (yes, I understand Irsay may not want to be at a bar, but work with me), after a long conversation on the hot topics of today, Irsay and the Rams finally tell Limbaugh to get out just as the other 31 owners are arriving to that same bar. Irsay then goes on to play a rock show for everyone as Limbaugh, disappointed by not being cool enough for the party, heads back to his radio station in defeat.

I bet that was a story you didn’t think you’d hear today. I know I didn’t.

RIP, Mr. Irsay, all the best to you and your family.