Rush Limbaugh Resigns From ESPN Amid Criticism
NEW YORK ? Commentator Rush Limbaugh (search) resigned from ESPN on Wednesday night, three days after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (search) is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.
"My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated," Limbaugh said in a statement. "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," Limbaugh said.
George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN (search) and ABC Sports, accepted the resignation.
"We regret the circumstances surrounding this," he said in a statement. "We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously."
Earlier Wednesday, Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Rev. Al Sharpton called for the cable sports network to fire Limbaugh.
McNabb had said earlier Wednesday that he didn't mind criticism of his performance. He was upset that Limbaugh made his race an issue and said it was too late for an apology.
"It's somewhat shocking to hear that on national TV from him," McNabb said. "It's not something that I can sit here and say won't bother me."
Limbaugh insisted earlier Wednesday he had "no racist intent whatsoever." In fact, he said he must have been right; otherwise, the comments would not have sparked such outrage.
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