ESPN's Decision to Cut Hank Williams Jr. From 'Monday Night Football' Met With Cheers and Jeers
ESPN on Thursday made the decision to permanently cut country singer Hank Williams Jr. after the country star compared President Obama to Hitler.
"We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams Jr.," ESPN said in a statement. "We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue."
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Williams' song "All My Rowdy Friends" had been the opener for the franchise until this week, when ESPN pulled from last Monday's Indianapolis-Tampa Bay game after Williams likened Republican House Speaker John Boehner's recent golf outing with President Obama to "Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu" on an episode of Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends. At the time, there was no indication that it would be permanent.
Meanwhile, Williams claimed it was his decision to pull the song.
"After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision," he wrote on his website. "By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, [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."
VIDEO: Hank Williams Jr. Compares Obama to Hitler on Fox News
After the news broke, several Twitter users hit the social networking site to express their opinions, which were divided in their support of ESPN and Williams.
Comedian George Lopez tweeted: "Hank Williams JR stick 2 song about dogs trucks and attraction 2 family members."
That prompted a response from Opie of SiriusXM's Opie & Anthony show: "U SAYING HE SHOULDNT HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH?"
Parks & Recreation executive producer Michael Schur, a former writer on The Office who also played Dwight's cousin Mose on the show, quipped: "I like that Hank Williams, Jr. thinks the 1st Amendment (c. 1791) guarantees one's ability to play dumb songs on ESPN before football games."
CNBC reporter John Harwood and Fox News Channel commentator Andy Levy also made jabs at Williams.
"Note to Hank Williams Jr.: First Amendment guarantees your right to speak, not your right to ESPN contract," wrote Harwood.
Added Levy: "Good to see Hank Williams Jr. join the Dixie Chicks and Dr. Laura in not quite understanding the concept of freedom of speech."
STORY: Hank Williams Jr. Backtracks From Obama-Hitler Comparison
Meanwhile, Bean of Los Angeles radio station KROQ's Kevin & Bean agreed with another Twitter user's suggestion of who should replace Williams: "I know, right? @JayPallock: Why @ESPN hasn't hired Weird @AlYankovic to replace Hank Williams Jr. is beyond me."
Several other Twitters users also had passionate responses to the news, for supportive and critical of Williams. Here is a sample of tweets:
My Glory
I appreciate @espn permanently pulling the Hank Williams Jr song from the #MNF opening. You don't get rewarded for talking stupid! #idiot
Richard Jordan
Bocephus gets fired!!! Is nothing sacred?
Matt W
R u kidding?? @jksports: ESPN has decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr.
Andy Shurson
With Hank Williams officially of Monday Night Football who will sing a song inquiring about my preparedness for football?
Monteee
Hank Williams really dude? Lmfao, what a fail:P
Miss Enquirer
Daugherty: Are you ready for some nonsense? Hank Williams has equal protection under the law to make a fool of himself.
Whitney
Hey, Hank "you can't fire me, I quit" Williams, Jr, don't let the door hit ya on your way out. Don't go away mad, fella. Just go away!
George Drake
Mon. Nite Football w/o Hank Williams, Jr. is like Gandhi playing penochle w/Gen. Zod - somebody's gonna end up in a spinning space square.
Still John
NEWSFLASH: In L.A., to protest racist remarks they scheduled a bonfire of Hank Williams Jr CDs. Then they realized, nobody in L.A. has any.
N O BAMA
The only Country Music I Liked..Thanks for nothing ESPN..WE WANT HANK BACK!!
Jon Heyman
good for espn yanking hank williams, who is obviously a numbskull. the game is great w/o him.
Tex
How dare the nfl get rid of hank williams for making a hitler joke
Evil Esq Bar Asc Law
If Hank Williams Jr is boycotting ESPN then so am I
JRoB5
Hank Williams just used a bad analogy .. that's all
Tyga Woods
Hank Williams SR musta been Jim Crow himself...
Jess Dweck
Hank Williams Jr. said that by firing him ESPN violated his First Amendment right to not understand the constitution.
Tim Long
Comparing Obama to Hitler is almost as crazy as comparing Hank Williams Jr to his much, much more talented father.
Andy Levy
Good to see Hank Williams Jr. join the Dixie Chicks and Dr. Laura in not quite understanding the concept of freedom of speech.
Ric Iglesias
Who knew that when Hank Williams Jr. refered to his "rowdy friends" he meant the ignorant, racists of the Tea Party . Good riddance, I say.
Thomas Carmona
dear hank williams, a private company firing you for saying something stupid is an expression of 1st amend rights, not infringement thereof
Ric
I just found out what Hank Williams Jr did. I respect him more now then ever!
