NFL, Rush Limbaugh, and Background Screening Mix Together in Sports News

Through an odd set of circumstances, the National Football League (NFL), conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, and background screening mixed together in recent sports news reports.

According to ESPN, Limbaugh was part of a group bidding to buy the NFL’s St. Louis Rams franchise until being ousted by his partners after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, certain team owners, and several players expressed misgivings because of controversial comments made by the talk-radio king in the past. In 2003, Limbaugh resigned from ESPN after speculating that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, an African-American, was overrated by the media because he was black.

However, a report at Examiner.com suggests the NFL – known for its thorough background screening program on players, coaches, and potential owners – may have eventually denied Limbaugh part-ownership for reasons other than his views. In 2006, Limbaugh was arrested for prescription drug fraud (also known as “doctor shopping”) and charged with using multiple doctors to obtain drugs illegally. After making a deal with prosecutors, Limbaugh's record was expunged (erased) after he completed a list of items that included entering a drug treatment program.

Would background screening have kept Limbaugh out of the NFL?

On his syndicated show, Limbaugh said he was assured that his involvement as a minority investor had been vetted by the league and cleared at the "highest levels of the NFL." But, in a way, background screening DID keep Limbaugh out of the NFL, since his past comments were the reason for his ouster in the present. While Limbaugh no longer has a criminal record, his well-publicized (and broadcasted) remarks were reviewed by the NFL, just like every college football player entering the NFL draft is subjected to a thorough pre-draft background screening by interested teams. The outcome of the Limbaugh ordeal is further proof that background screening has become an integral part of the NFL.

Whether a popular but controversial talk-radio host like Limbaugh, a top college football prospect, or an average jobseeker looking for employment, ALL new additions to ANY organization – be it the NFL or a small business – need to undergo a thorough background screening. Services like those offered by nationally recognized background screening provider Pre-Employ.com help employers find a flexible background screening solution that best fits their needs.

For more information on background screening, visit www.pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821. Follow Pre-Employ.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PreEmploy.

tahearn@pre-employ.com

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