vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
I received a few messages on Monday about an exchange between conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has announced his plans to run for President.
During the course of an interview, Limbaugh asked Pawlenty about the Vikings' stadium situation. Obviously, that isn't Pawlenty's problem any longer but he certainly is familiar with what has taken place. Here is the exchange as transcribed by the Limbaugh website.
Limbaugh: I know you're not in the statehouse any longer, but there's an issue roiling the state right now and that's the Vikings and their new stadium and how much of it should be publicly financed. The usual threats are being made: If the public doesn't chip in and build a new stadium the Vikings are gone. They'll move to L.A. or someplace.
Pawlenty: The rumor is you're gonna buy 'em and move 'em. Is that true?
Limbaugh: (laughing) Well, uh, this interview is about you. (laughing)
When Pawlenty then laughed, Limbaugh said, "I'll keep [the interview] focused on you."
So what gives?
There is no denying Limbaugh loves football. In 2003, he was added to ESPN's NFL pregame show but that didn't last because of racially-charged comments he made about then Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
But that did not end Limbaugh's attempts to get into the NFL.
In 2009, Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts were among six potential ownership groups that discussed buying the Rams. However, there were immediate objections to Limbaugh's potential involvement.
Limbaugh, who was to be a limited partner, was eventually dropped from the group.
Asked if there was anything to a group involving Limbaugh having inquired about the Vikings' availability, Vikings vice president of public affairs Lester Bagley said in an e-mail: "We are 100 percent focused on getting this stadium issue resolved at the Arden Hills site."
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Access Vikings blog: ESPN's Bayless, Smith debate whether Ponder was as responsible for playoff run as Peterson (really)
- Bar to be higher for Ponder, lower for Peterson in 2013
- Dayton, PTI hosts question Vikings over Kluwe cut
- Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith
- Vikings make it official: Punter Chris Kluwe has been cut
- Vikings searching for best development plan for Cordarrelle Patterson
- Rookie Locke could have punter's job locked up by Monday
- Erin Henderson stepping into new role with 'more lead in my pencil'
- Ponder talks: Cassel, Harvin and a scary visit to the emergency room
- Vikings announce signings of 16 undrafted free agents
- Vikings sign defensive end Jackson, cornerback Lacey
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
- Spielman summarizes six Saturday selections
- Spielman: Drafting punter `has nothing to do with Chris Kluwe off the field'
- Vikings use back-to-back 7th-round picks on linebacker, guard
Post By Category
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters