ESPN Drops Hank Williams Jr. Intro After Singer Compares Obama to Hitler (VIDEO)
Country music star Hank Williams Jr.'s classic football intro has been dropped from ESPN's Monday night airing of the latest NFL matchup after Williams appeared on a Fox News program and compared President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.
ESPN revealed Monday that William's "Are You Ready for Some Football" would not be played in the intro to the match between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on tonight's "Monday Night Football" telecast.
The network released a public statement saying: "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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The comments in question came when Williams appeared on "Fox & Friends" Monday in which the country music star was asked to give his opinion on the 2012 campaign season and politics in general.
The musician, explaining that House Speaker John Boehner should not have played golf with President Obama, said it was "one of the biggest political mistakes ever."
When prodded as to why, Williams said, "That would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu. Not hardly. In the shape this country is in?"
When host Brian Kilmeade expressed that he did not understand what he meant, the country singer responded, "I'm glad you don't, brother, because a lot of people do. They're the enemy."
When asked whom he was referring to, Williams yelled, "Obama! And Biden! Are you kidding? The Three Stooges."
VIDEO: Hank Williams Jr. Compares Obama to Hitler.- Fox & Friends
Williams went on to add that "the only one who makes sense is Herman Cain," as well as offer commentary on former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the health care bill, and more.
By Monday evening, the phrases "Hank Williams Jr." and "Obama to Hitler" were on Twitter's Trend list.
"Comparing Obama to Hitler is almost as crazy as comparing Hank Williams Jr to his much, much more talented father," wrote Tim Long.
Journalist Keith Olbermann also chimed in, tweeting, "ShowPlugLast: Are you ready for some Unemployment? Hank Williams Jr benched after Hitler/Obama comparison..."
"Dear Hank Williams, Jr ~ Talk to a Holocaust survivor. Then apologize. To them and the President," wrote Lisa H-J.
Journalist and news commentator Roland Martin, apparently skeptical of Williams facing any serious backlash, tweeted, "I'm sure country music stations are pulling Hank Williams Jr music as we speak like [they] did The Dixie Chicks," adding the hashtag "#neverwillhappen."
In 2003, a member of the Dixie Chicks told audience members during a London concert, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
The president at the time was George W. Bush.
Although Williams comments came Monday morning, his remarks did not appear to grab public attention until ESPN made its announcement regarding dropping the singer's "Are You Ready for Some Football" intro.
