Rush Limbaugh
On this date in 2003, white-American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN television over racial comments he directed at black athlete Donovan McNabb.
Three days earlier, he had said the Philadelphia Eagles football player was overrated because the media wanted to see a Black quarterback succeed. Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pre-game show that he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived from the start.
His direct on-air quote was: "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been 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."
Limbaugh was later rehired and, in 2020, was given a Congressional Gold Medal by President Donald Trump.
