John Elway, "The Drive"
John Elway has endorsed Mitt Romney. In what was called a "worrisome sign for Romney", HuffPost observed,
Elway has a losing record in politics. In the previous election cycle, he went 0 for 2, contributing to the campaigns of first Rudy Giuliani and then John McCain.
—Huffington Post, John Elway Endorses Mitt Romney
On Tuesday, Rush Limbaugh saw a different issue with the endorsement:
RUSH: Hey, here's a question for you. Elway endorses Romney. Elway is hated in Ohio. Elway was the author of The Drive against the Cleveland Browns, one of the most famous games in NFL history. So is Elway's endorsement of Romney gonna hurt Romney with Browns fans because the Browns are all important in Ohio, and they hate Elway. Well, I'm just throwing it out there. I mean it's the way the media might analyze this. I'm just trying to prepare you for what might come of this. It's the way they connect the dots. (laughing) I know it sounds ridiculous.
—Rush Limbaugh: Illegal Immigrant Dittohead Does the Thinking Americans Won't Do
I cannot speak for Cleveland Browns fans. I'd love to hear from a few in the comments.
I live in Denver, and I can speak for myself where Elway is concerned. I appreciated Elway's talent and sportsmanship, and watched a number of the games that he quarterbacked. Yet I am also aware of his politics, and in spite of the fact that I lived four blocks from an Elway auto dealership, when I was looking for a new vehicle, I refused to walk in their front door.
Yes, Elway is wealthy, having wisely invested his NFL earnings in a number of money making ventures.
Did I say wisely? Although Denver undoubtedly loves Elway as a sports legend, his investment career hasn't been so stellar. For example, HuffPost reported that "John Elway Was Paid To Attract Investors To Alleged Ponzi Scheme". That account was from March of 2010. Earlier, the Denver Post had reported:
A Centennial firm that federal authorities accuse of helping raise $30 million in a Ponzi-like scheme hired former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway to attract investors to its seminars.
The two-time Super Bowl champion spoke at conferences in Denver and Colorado Springs hosted by Speed of Wealth LLC, which had its assets frozen Monday by a federal court.
"It did lend credibility to being an investor with them," said Dee Holl of Highlands Ranch.
—Denver Post: Elway was paid to speak by firm now probed by SEC
Later in 2010 Elway was himself stung when he made a similar investment, this one earning him the dubious honor of number 8 in the
Top 10 Worst Financial Meltdowns by Athletes:
John Elway Invested $15 million in Ponzi Scheme
Maybe that was poetic justice.
In spite of his financial troubles, some have speculated that Elway may be in line to buy the Denver Broncos franchise. That appears to support Limbaugh's observation that "the vast majority of NFL owners are Romneyites or donate to Republicans, vast majority. Few are oriented toward the Democrats."
On the other hand when it comes to Cleveland Browns fans, I expect that Limbaugh is full of it. Tell me in a comment whether Rush is right about Ohio!
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