Hank Jr. Pulled From Football

Hank Williams Jr. will no longer provide the theme song for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” following controversy over recent statements the singer made on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”

Williams was invited onto “Fox & Friends” Oct. 3 to provide commentary about the Republican candidates for president. At one point, he said that President Barack Obama’s golf game with House Speaker John Boehner was “one of the biggest political mistakes ever.”

Explaining his position, Williams said, “It would be like Hitler playing golf with [Israeli leader] Benjamin Netanyahu.”

He added that Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are “the enemy” and called them the three stooges.

ESPN denounced Williams’ comments in a statement and yanked his “All My Rowdy Friends” intro from the Oct. 3 MNF broadcast. A few days later, the network cut ties permanently.

“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.”

While Williams had attempted to clarify his “Fox & Friends” comments, noting that he was misunderstood, he later said in a statement on his website that he made the decision to end his long-running relationship with ESPN.

“After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision,” he wrote. “By pulling my opening Oct. 3, 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.”

ESPN has a policy that its participants shy away from politics, but Williams has expressed an interest in running for a U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee, according to USA Today.