NFLPA: Players should be candid with Rush

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The head of the NFL players union says players should "be blunt" in addressing a bid by talk show host Rush Limbaugh to become part owner of the St. Louis Rams.

Limbaugh said last week he has joined St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams from Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, the son and daughter of the Rams' late owner, Georgia Frontiere.

Several NFL players subsequently criticized the right-wing talk show host for controversial remarks he had made on racial matters.

NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, in an e-mail to the union's executive committee Saturday, said he had spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and "I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages."

"But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends," Smith said in the e-mail. "Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."

Smith followed up with an e-mail Sunday, ESPN reported, acknowledging that the league does not consult the union on ownership bids, but encouraging players to continue to speak up on the Limbaugh bid.

"Our men are strong and proud sons, fathers, spouses and I am proud when they stand up, understand this is their profession and speak with candor and blunt honesty about how they feel," Smith said.