Hank Williams Jr & His Rowdy Friends Kicked Off MNF

[UNHWildCats]

“While Hank Williams, Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to Monday Night Football. We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”

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[AZGrizFan]

Williams, perhaps best known for his "are you ready for some football?" lead-in to ESPN's Monday Night Football, Monday compared this summer's so-called golf summit between Obama and House Speaker John Boehner as "one of the biggest political mistakes ever."

As Williams put it on Fox News' Fox & Friends: "It would be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli leader) Benjamin Netanyahu."

When asked on Fox to explain his analogy, Williams said Obama and Vice-President Biden are "the enemy."

Although ESPN has a policy about its on-air personalities getting involved in politics, Williams has said he's interested in running as a Republican in 2012 for a U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.

I fail to see a problem with his logic. He just moved up a notch in my book.

[dbackjon]

Williams, perhaps best known for his "are you ready for some football?" lead-in to ESPN's Monday Night Football, Monday compared this summer's so-called golf summit between Obama and House Speaker John Boehner as "one of the biggest political mistakes ever."

As Williams put it on Fox News' Fox & Friends: "It would be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli leader) Benjamin Netanyahu."

When asked on Fox to explain his analogy, Williams said Obama and Vice-President Biden are "the enemy."

Although ESPN has a policy about its on-air personalities getting involved in politics, Williams has said he's interested in running as a Republican in 2012 for a U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.

I fail to see a problem with his logic. He just moved up a notch in my book.

You are moving into 89Hen territory.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

While I don't agree with Jr on his statement (Obama is worse! ), it's funny to see this reaction from ESPN.

[AZGrizFan]

I fail to see a problem with his logic. He just moved up a notch in my book.

You are moving into 89Hen territory.

Well, if the donks can call Republicans "terrorists", I'd say calling Obama/Biden and their ilk "the enemy" is pretty mild in comparison.

[UNHWildCats]

Well depending on who you believe today either ESPN permanently canned Hank Jr or Hank Jr told ESPN to shove it. In any case, Hank Jr's "All My Rowdy Friends" song will no longer be part of Monday Night Football going forward.

On Thursday, ESPN released a statement that read: “We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue.”

Wrote Williams on his website: “After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You [ESPN] stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It’s been a great run.”

[Grizalltheway]

Typical southern Conk shit head.

[Ibanez]

God , even your thread titles are homo.

Btw, what a redneck.

[Grizalltheway]

God , even your thread titles are homo.

Btw, what a redneck.

Hank III is the shit, though. Wish I had gotten tickets to see him in Missoula the other night.

[JayJ79]

Wrote Williams on his website: “After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You [ESPN] stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It’s been a great run.”

Regardless of my thoughts on Williams' Obama/Hitler comparison, or ESPN's reaction to it, this followup statement by Hank is dumb.

ESPN in no way violated HW's right to free speech. First off, ESPN is not the government, and the first amendment applies to what the government can't do. It has nothing to do with which music a private company chooses to play or not to play.

[youngterrier]

Regardless of my thoughts on Williams' Obama/Hitler comparison, or ESPN's reaction to it, this followup statement by Hank is dumb.

ESPN in no way violated HW's right to free speech. First off, ESPN is not the government, and the first amendment applies to what the government can't do. It has nothing to do with which music a private company chooses to play or not to play.

he's an idiot. You can't make comparisons to hitler in any circumstance and every TV guy knows it whether he work for Dora the Explorer or CNN

[Wedgebuster]

They were most likely just looking for an excuse. He sucks, he is tired, and did I mention he sucks.

Time to get stretch mark Faith Hill the hell off there too while at it.

[BlueHen86]

Regardless of my thoughts on Williams' Obama/Hitler comparison, or ESPN's reaction to it, this followup statement by Hank is dumb.

ESPN in no way violated HW's right to free speech. First off, ESPN is not the government, and the first amendment applies to what the government can't do. It has nothing to do with which music a private company chooses to play or not to play.

[SuperHornet]

NBC made a mistake when they brought in Faith Hill. Let's see ESPN reap the rewards by hiring Pink.

[JayJ79]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Willie]

He has the right to say whatever he wants...fuck ESPN

[TwinTownBisonFan]

He has the right to say whatever he wants...fuck ESPN

He has a right to speak his mind without repercussion FROM THE GOVERNMENT... not a private entity or other individuals.

for the love of God - how many people are allowed to graduate high school without learning the distinction - the most important of distinctions - the First Amendment protects citizens from their government restricting their right to speech. It is not a license to say whatever the fuck you want and not have to deal with the fallout from other individuals or non-governmental entities.

this isn't even a partisan thing. you hear this shit from the left all the time too... "blah blah 'free speech' blah blah" when some company somewhere cans someone for running their mouth... equally annoying then.

the only time I give a shit about someone being censured for what they say or write is when it is being done by my government... then I get pissed, even if I vehemently disagree with what they are saying... until then - honey badger don't give a shit.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Regardless of my thoughts on Williams' Obama/Hitler comparison, or ESPN's reaction to it, this followup statement by Hank is dumb.

ESPN in no way violated HW's right to free speech. First off, ESPN is not the government, and the first amendment applies to what the government can't do. It has nothing to do with which music a private company chooses to play or not to play.

heh - should have read this before posting my screed and just said +1 to this.

[Willie]

But he didn't even fucking refer to Obama as Hitler. He made a comparison about two, completely polar opposite people, and how it would be weird seeing them play golf.

I listened to an hour rant on Opie & Anthony about this. What they canned his ass for is just plain funny.

He said, and I quote, "it would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu". WHERE does that say Obama is Hitler? IT DOESN'T.

[DSUrocks07]

But he didn't even **** refer to Obama as Hitler. He made a comparison about two, completely polar opposite people, and how it would be weird seeing them play golf.

I listened to an hour rant on Opie & Anthony about this. What they canned his ass for is just plain funny.

He said, and I quote, "it would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu". WHERE does that say Obama is Hitler? IT DOESN'T.

In his "explaination" later, where he called Obama and Biden the "enemy". I don't think we would consider Netanyahu the enemy of that equation.

[DSUrocks07]

Hank Williams was basically talking out of his ass on this one. Speaking before thinking. Regardless of what his personal feelings are, when you put them out there in a public forum you should always expect a response and always be prepared for the consequences. Too many idiots hide behind the veil of the First Amendment without knowing what its really about. Just like those who don't realize that invoking your Fifth Amendment rights is ALWAYS an admission of guilt in the court of public opinion.

[UNHWildCats]

If the Dixie Chicks can be banned from Country radio for years and receive death threats for saying their ashamed Bush was from Texas, than Hank Jr can be fired for his comments... Everyone has their right to their opinions, but if you want to put those opinions out there be prepared to face the consequences.

[grizzaholic]

When did this country turn into a bunch of pussies?

[griz37]

When did this country turn into a bunch of pussies?

Sometime in the early 90s.

[SuperHornet]

NBC made a mistake when they brought in Faith Hill. Let's see ESPN reap the rewards by hiring Pink.

ESPN screwed the pooch here, too. Hank will be replaced by Barry Sanders?!?