Since being elected president, Barack Obama’s policies have been compared to those of crazed German dictator Adolf Hitler by quite a few conservative radio talk show hosts. But when country singer Hank Williams Jr. compared Obama to Hitler on Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends” show Monday morning, he was promptly fired for his impetuosity.
ESPN made it clear that Williams was never a full-time employee of the sports network. But they acknowledged that “he is closely linked” to the company for 20 years through Monday Night Football’s catchy opening song, “Are you ready for some football?”
ESPN, in a statement, said:
“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.”
Williams, who endorsed Herman Cain for president, issued a statement through his publicist, saying:
“Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. 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.”
ESPN’s carefully worded statement leaves the door open for the song to be used in future telecasts of Monday Night Football.
