ESPN Cuts Hank Williams Jr from Monday Night Football Intro

[Reb]

If you're confused when you don't hear Hank Williams Jr.'s familiar Monday Night Football intro song setting the stage for tonight's Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Indianapolis Colts tilt, don't be.

ESPN issued a statement Monday announcing its decision to pull Williams' intro off the air after the country music star's controversial comments Monday morning on the Fox News program "Fox & Friends".

In a political discussion, Williams voluntarily brought up President Barack Obama's golf game with Speaker of the House John Boehner during this summer's debt ceiling negotiations, calling it "one of the biggest political mistakes ever" and invoking Adolf Hitler.

"That would be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu," Williams said, via the Huffington Post. "Not hardly. In the shape this country is in?"

When asked to explain his analogy, Williams called Obama and Vice President Joe Biden "the enemy."

ESPN explained its decision in a statement.

"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," ESPN said. "We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast."

ESPN did not say whether the intro, synonymous with "Monday Night Football" since 1989, would be used again after this week's Buccaneers-Colts game.

The song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night" is a remixed version of his 1984 hit "All My Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight." The version won Williams four Emmy Awards in the early 1990s as the opening theme to "Monday Night Football," then on ABC.

Williams has been the opening voice of "Monday Night Football" for the last 20 years. He has expressed interest in running as a Republican in 2012 for a U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d822cec71/article/williams-mnf-opening-pulled-after-singers-hitler-reference?module=HP11_headline_stack

-Well that's a bummer............. Guess you can't use Obama and Hitler in the same sentence.

[eric in md]

boy i say boy where you been? damnit boy

[The Anvil]

Add HWJ to the list of people who actually know nothing about Hitler.

[Reb]

boy i say boy where you been? damnit boy

I'm sorry dude, My social life is getting sucked away from massive amounts of college curriculum activities. AKA (Homework)... I hardly have time to even mingle on the board anymore.  I haven't tasted a PBR in over a month or been able to ride anywhere. Life is slipping into the seventh circle of screw college!  lol

[3fan4life]

This country has become obsessed with "Political Correctness"

This PC crap will lead to our downfall.

Gretchen Wilson&Merle Haggard-Politically Uncorrect	powered by Aeva

And for those that don't like Hank Williams.................... well

Hank Williams Jr - If You Don't Like Hank Williams	powered by Aeva

[eric in md]

ok reb keep in touch dude . book work is go for you man . dont forget me when you make it big time dude . ..

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

boy i say boy where you been? damnit boy

I'm sorry dude, My social life is getting sucked away from massive amounts of college curriculum activities. AKA (Homework)... I hardly have time to even mingle on the board anymore.   I haven't tasted a PBR in over a month or been able to ride anywhere. Life is slipping into the seventh circle of screw college!  lol

Do you still plan to attend UT in The Great State Of Tennesssee in 2012 ? I hope the ratings drop and ESPN has to beg Bocephus back.
Edited

[The Anvil]

This PC crap will lead to our downfall.

I believe it's more likely that the downfall of this country is going to be the kind of stupidity that Hank Williams Jr. has displayed in comparing Obama to Hitler. But I may be weird like that.

[Gear Jammer]

-Well that's a bummer............. Guess you can't use Obama and Hitler in the same sentence.

Hmmm, how 'bout Lenin or Marx ?  Just sayin' 

[buffalobill]

If memory serves, Didn't that bold young man, Adolf (sorta a community organizer) succeed in taking away the guns of his Countrymen and force VW (the peoples car) on them. Rings familiar with the GM/Chrysler deal and his penchant for an UN-ARMED America. Just sayin...

[samoanrich]

Look around you they wants us to accept people that prefer same sex as normal. Hell they even
show that crap on tv, Ellen,how I me t your mother as examples, I'm sure there is more of it then
I care to think about. Freedom of speech is going out of the window...

[musclehead]

This PC crap will lead to our downfall.

I believe it's more likely that the downfall of this country is going to be the kind of stupidity that Hank Williams Jr. has displayed in comparing Obama to Hitler. But I may be weird like that.

oh, we KNOW your weird like that 

[Fudd]

I think that it's pretty good that Hank could go 20 years without saying something colorful enough to get him thrown off the show.

I was begining to think he ws loosing his rowdyness.

[The Anvil]

If memory serves, Didn't that bold young man, Adolf (sorta a community organizer) succeed in taking away the guns of his Countrymen and force VW (the peoples car) on them. Rings familiar with the GM/Chrysler deal and his penchant for an UN-ARMED America. Just sayin...

Yes he did. However Obama has never signed any anti-gun legislation (in fact he's done nothing but sign legislation that's NRA endorsed) and Obama has not made any move to declare a national automaker. There is NO real similarity between the GM/Chrysler deal and Germany's nationalization of VW. Whether it works or not is one thing, but both companies are paying the government back. There's also the matter of killing all those jews, invading Poland, Russia, France etc. laying siege to Great Britain... when Obama invades Mexico and Canada and starts rounding up jews then we'll talk about Hitler comparos. Until then you're out of your tree.

Bush II however DID go on an orgy of invasion and nation building. But I'd never be so stupid as to compare him to Hitler (though I've heard it done).

[wiseguy]

I'll second that,.... Anvil

[Reb]

boy i say boy where you been? damnit boy

I'm sorry dude, My social life is getting sucked away from massive amounts of college curriculum activities. AKA (Homework)... I hardly have time to even mingle on the board anymore.  I haven't tasted a PBR in over a month or been able to ride anywhere. Life is slipping into the seventh circle of screw college!  lol

Do you still plan to attend UT in The Great State Of Tennesssee in 2012 ? I hope the ratings drop and ESPN has to beg Bocephus back. They'll probably get Elton John or one of them other faggots to sing it 

Joe, U of T is most likely not going to happen. Out of state tuition is a little to high for my veterans benefits to cover. Look like I have to reside in Illinois  Southern Illinois University is the most likely spot. I'd rather be a Volunteer than a Saluki. At this point I just gotta go with flow...

[Moonshot_1]

Williams responded in a statement Monday night.

“Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood," Williams said. "My analogy was extreme -- but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me -- how ludicrous that pairing was. They’re polar opposites and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the President.”


And that's how I took it as well. An expression of Polar opposites.
I find it surprising that everyone assumes that he was comparing Obama to Hitler.
Nothing there to suggest that. I didn't even consider that.

You could just as easily assume that he meant Boehner to be Hitler in this comparison of polar opposites.

[Reb]

Hopefully Faith Hill doesn't compare any political figures to anybody. Hate for her to lose Sunday Night Football intro.

[The Anvil]

Williams responded in a statement Monday night.

“Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood," Williams said. "My analogy was extreme -- but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me -- how ludicrous that pairing was. They’re polar opposites and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the President.”


And that's how I took it as well. An expression of Polar opposites.
I find it surprising that everyone assumes that he was comparing Obama to Hitler.
Nothing there to suggest that. I didn't even consider that.

You could just as easily assume that he meant Boehner to be Hitler in this comparison of polar opposites.

I read his statement just a few minutes ago. I suppose I'll buy it, but I'm keeping the receipt.

[Paxton]

In a way, our worldview is imposed on us most successfully by people incapable of understanding it.  ???
I enjoy Hank's singing... The numerous times I've heard him in political settings, he repetitively resorts to the same exact rhetoric...
like a broken record.  His message or lack thereof gets lost in hyperbole. Even if one agrees with his point of view, it does get old. 

Indeed am a hard core fan of Hank Williams the singer; and will continue to be one regardless of his politics or pronouncements. 
However, matters of politics and skillful communications are not his strong suit.

Hank Williams is a great artist, but I would not trust him to work on my Valk. Ann Coulter, political commentator may have the best advise ...
"shut up and sing."

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie
comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him,
and so he loses all respect for himself and for his audience.”

[Highbinder]

Many years ago, when Hank was at the height of his career, I got to spend a week with him on a one on one bases.......we got drunk together, ate, fished and rode horses...talked about life and heard the many stories of the antic's he and his friends had done.....I'd definitlely let him work on my Valk, I found him to be a man of his word, his said he'd do something for us down the line and 3 mos. later it was done....I guess if I had to compare him to someone you know personality wise it would be SmokingJoe,  I've heard Joe sing and we can't can't find any similarities there.. ;

I certainly noticed that his song was missing from the show and mentinoned it to Tracy, they tried to get rid of him a few years ago and the fans didn't like it and they brought him back, I hope that's the case again....

[KW]

I disagree with comparing Hitler to anyone. . . . Frankly, it speaks to where our culture is at that I would even have to say that as a prelude to making any point; political or otherwise. 

Putting aside all the comparisons we heard equating President Bush to Hitler (including Anvil’s ‘oh so cleaver’ non-comparison “comparison” above) it comers down to mere WORDS that ‘may’ or may not hurt someone’s feeling’s.  And THAT my friends are where we’re at in America today. Are your feelings hurt? Oh no! WE CAN’T ALLOW THAT! You were offended by that joke? It’s sexual harassment! An employer ‘looked’ at you differently? Or, you weren’t invited to an after work party? Maybe you were passed over for a promotion? It’s CLEARLY a case of discrimination! It’s not your fault! There’s got to be someone we can blame!

The list goes on and on. . .  and the sad part is; in our rush to create this socialist utopia we often end up hurting those who truly DO have a legitimate complaint.

Was HWJ an idiot, a fool and a moron all rolled up into one for using that old liberal Bush/Hitler comparison? Of course he was; for roughly 6,000,000 reasons! Was I, or anyone else, actually hurt or harmed in any way by a country singer giving his opinion on politics? Answer that yourself.       

[RTaz]

If memory serves, Didn't that bold young man, Adolf (sorta a community organizer) succeed in taking away the guns of his Countrymen and force VW (the peoples car) on them. Rings familiar with the GM/Chrysler deal and his penchant for an UN-ARMED America. Just sayin...

Yes he did. However Obama has never signed any anti-gun legislation (in fact he's done nothing but sign legislation that's NRA endorsed) and Obama has not made any move to declare a national automaker. There is NO real similarity between the GM/Chrysler deal and Germany's nationalization of VW. Whether it works or not is one thing, but both companies are paying the government back. There's also the matter of killing all those jews, invading Poland, Russia, France etc. laying siege to Great Britain... when Obama invades Mexico and Canada and starts rounding up jews then we'll talk about Hitler comparos. Until then you're out of your tree.

Bush II however DID go on an orgy of invasion and nation building. But I'd never be so stupid as to compare him to Hitler (though I've heard it done).

[The Anvil]

Putting aside all the comparisons we heard equating President Bush to Hitler (including Anvil’s ‘oh so cleaver’ non-comparison “comparison” above) 

There was nothing "clever" about my remark. I have never and will never (except with tongue planted firmly in cheek) compare Bush II to Hitler. I was pointing out that if you stretch logic and reality far enough you could make the comparison of anyone.

And the more I think about it the more I want my money back. There's no way HWJ was putting the white hat on Obama in that "analogy of polar opposites". No frigging way.

You know who might have been harmed by HWJ's comments? ABC's bottom line when advertisers complained and pulled ads. This is private industry and ABC/ESPN should probably avoid doing business with characters who harm their image.

Paxton; I feel the same way about Ted Nugent that you do about HWJ. Great guitar player, terrific performer but a terrible communicator. Even when I agree with him (which is most of the time actually) his message gets lost in his inability to articulate his point without personal attacks and seething rage that makes him come off as a barely contained animal. I appreciate the passion he has but it needs to be tempered with some intelligence.

[x]

Well said, Anvil... every post in this thread.

[Hef]

I agree with Moonshot here. I didn't see this as HW calling either individual Hitler and was using the analogy to emphasize a point of how stupid the situation was. As usual, someone sees this as an opportunity to stir up controversy and unfortunately controversy seems to be the drive of a majority of the population today. Anyway, I bet Hank Junior won't lose any sleep over it!

[PharmBoy]

Anvil, now you have an overseas buddy and I think that there is one out on the west coast that would agree with you also.  Haven't seen him post much lately though...JTL 

[The Anvil]

I agree with Moonshot here. I didn't see this as HW calling either individual Hitler and was using the analogy to emphasize a point of how stupid the situation was. As usual, someone sees this as an opportunity to stir up controversy and unfortunately controversy seems to be the drive of a majority of the population today. Anyway, I bet Hank Junior won't lose any sleep over it!

Yeah because Republican and Tea Party members are totally gonna make Boehner Hitler in that scenario. 

[Fudd]

So, what's next for the Monday Nite Football intro/theme song?

I'm guessing some kinda rap.

That way if the rapper says something potentially harmful on the side, we'll just let it slide.

I vote for Snoopdog.  He can be a roll-model and yet be immuned to criticism for comments about women, drugs, cop shootings, and anyone thats not black.

Hank could have worded his thoughts more carefully.  His statement was taken out of context, though.

Let Hank offer an apology, put him back on the air and lets get back to playing football.

[The Anvil]

Thousands upon thousands of Americans gave their lives in order to help bring an end to that evil madman's bloodthirsty reign. It's disrespectful to their sacrifice.

That someone would callously associate the name Hitler with with the office of the President in any way, shape or form makes me see red.

In case you've forgotten, view the pictures of the piles of emaciated bodies of men, women and children being bulldozed into open pits or the photos of the "lucky ones" who survived as walking skeletons and the looks in their eyes (their health being the least of what they lost) haunted by watching their loved ones herded away to be systematically exterminated and being powerless to stop it. Some of those people survive today. How do you think THEY feel about hearing some turd-for-brains redneck throwing that analogy around? Well look at them again to remind yourself of just what it means to associate that name with ANYONE not truly deserving of the comparison.

[MP]

Thousands upon thousands of Americans gave their lives in order to help bring an end to that evil madman's bloodthirsty reign. It's disrespectful to their sacrifice.

That someone would callously associate the name Hitler with with the office of the President in any way, shape or form makes me see red.

In case you've forgotten, view the pictures of the piles of emaciated bodies of men, women and children being bulldozed into open pits or the photos of the "lucky ones" who survived as walking skeletons and the looks in their eyes (their health being the least of what they lost) haunted by watching their loved ones herded away to be systematically exterminated and being powerless to stop it. Some of those people survive today. How do you think THEY feel about hearing some turd-for-brains redneck throwing that analogy around? Well look at them again to remind yourself of just what it means to associate that name with ANYONE not truly deserving of the comparison.

I feel the same way about a lot of the elected Progressives continually calling Tea Party members "terrorists".  yet, you do not call them on that.

Or, how about Maxine Waters telling them all to "go to hell".

At least be consistant.

MP

[DarkMeister]

Hank Schmank...

Now if it was SENIOR that we were talking about, well. Even though I'm not a country music fan per se, I love the old man's music. His songs bring up much simpler times. Simple man's pain of love lost or life pissed away. Cry of the whippoorwill... (Whoah; what? Never mind that one.)

Heck I even have a couple of CDs of his in the ol' jukebox.
OT, I know. Bummer.
 

[The Anvil]

I feel the same way about a lot of the elected Progressives continually calling Tea Party members "terrorists".  yet, you do not call them on that.

Make a thread about it and I probably will.

[Master Blaster]

If memory serves, Didn't that bold young man, Adolf (sorta a community organizer) succeed in taking away the guns of his Countrymen and force VW (the peoples car) on them. Rings familiar with the GM/Chrysler deal and his penchant for an UN-ARMED America. Just sayin...

Yes he did. However Obama has never signed any anti-gun legislation (in fact he's done nothing but sign legislation that's NRA endorsed) and Obama has not made any move to declare a national automaker. There is NO real similarity between the GM/Chrysler deal and Germany's nationalization of VW. Whether it works or not is one thing, but both companies are paying the government back. There's also the matter of killing all those jews, invading Poland, Russia, France etc. laying siege to Great Britain... when Obama invades Mexico and Canada and starts rounding up jews then we'll talk about Hitler comparos. Until then you're out of your tree.

Bush II however DID go on an orgy of invasion and nation building. But I'd never be so stupid as to compare him to Hitler (though I've heard it done).

What do you think Operation Fast and Furious was about?????

W

[The Anvil]

What do you think Operation Fast and Furious was about?????

The tin-foil hat crowd and I diverge here.

[Hoser]

Well said, Anvil... every post in this thread.

Well, now Anvil, THAT is an endorsement to be proud of.    Hoser

[Jess Tolbirt]

i saw a commercial about monday night foot ball last night,, care to take a guess as to who was narrating the commercial and singing the song? it was HWJ

[big d]

while driving around this morning i got the chance to listen to the controversial statement made by hwj. over a dozen times. if you listen to the words you will hear a comparison, but not of obama to hitler but of the two men being such polar opposites as hitler and netanyahu. dont add your hatred of a political party to color what you hear.  should he have made the statement, maybe not. but since when has it become a crime for someone to stat his or her opinion on something. thats right since this president started running for office. if you complain about his policy you are a racist. but it is ok for the left to cry out for bush to be murdered.

[fudgie]

but since when has it become a crime for someone to stat his or her opinion on something. thats right since this president started running for office. if you complain about his policy you are a racist. but it is ok for the left to cry out for bush to be murdered.

 

[The Anvil]

while driving around this morning i got the chance to listen to the controversial statement made by hwj. over a dozen times. if you listen to the words you will hear a comparison, but not of obama to hitler but of the two men being such polar opposites as hitler and netanyahu.

He then goes on to call them "the enemy". When pressed on who he was referring to as "the enemy" he said "Obama and Biden!". Come on dood, it's pretty clear who he was putting the black hat on in his analogy.

And it's not a crime for Mr. HWJ to speak his small, withered mind. He has not been arrested or charged with anything.