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ESPN severs relationship with singer Hank Williams Jr.
ESPN says it has severed its relationship with singer Hank Williams Jr. following controversy over his remarks comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.
"We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years," a statement on ESPN's site said. "The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue."
Williams gave a very different statement: "After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, 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."
On Tuesday the singer had apologized Tuesday for his remarks which resulted in "Monday Night Football" pulling his popular musical introduction from this week's game.
"I have always been very passionate about politics and sports and this time it got the best or worst of me.
"The thought of the leaders of both parties jukin' [sic] and high fiven' [sic] on a golf course, while so many families are struggling to get by, simply made me boil over and make a dumb statement, and I am very sorry if it offended anyone. I would like to thank all my supporters. This was not written by some publicist," Williams wrote.
Williams made the comparison on Fox News this week when he was asked about Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, playing on the same team in a June golf game.
Sorry about his lack of tact, but he made a darn good point!
He simply said what millions of us think. This just shows that the liberals at ABC care more about carrying Obama`s water than they do about the people that watch the game.
you're right, Boehner is quite the Hitler.
The only point he made was how ignorant he is.
I don't have a problem with him expressing an opinion, but I'm sure glad he's off MNF! How much longer were they going to drag out that tired old opening theme? Do young people even know who Hank Williams, Jr. is? Come up with something new already! I'm afraid Sunday Night Football will fall into the same trap and 20 years from now Faith Hill will be coming out with her walker to shake her saggy booty.
...yet Craig James still has a job at ESPN after the whole Texas Tech ordeal
Hank – freedom of association is also a first amendment right which ESPN exercised when they terminated their association with you.
Now maybe we can watch Monday Night Football without the redneck drivel he spouts and calls 'music'
No big deal
i think the "truth" is in the statments – ESPN says they're parting ways; Hamk says he cut the ties. I believe Hank
You think he pulled a song that he sold to them off their airwaves, huh? Could you really be that stupid or do you just live in fantasyland?
1. Williams wasn't speaking for all working class people, just the segment that has been brainwashed to think that Obama is the enemy (rather than all the corporations that shipped their jobs overseas).
2. Williams doesn't know what he's talking about when he complains about his First Amendment rights being trampled on. The First Amendment pertains to government, not corporations and employment law.
3. Williams, rather than taking full and unqualified ownership of the stupidity of his comments, decides to project that onto everyone else. He could have easily made his point without having to compare anyone to Hitler.
It is stupid to blame big banks and corporations without blaming government as well, for giving them the tools to dismantle our economy. I see, and understand the role big business and banks have played. That is why we have a government to regulate and make the rules to even the playing field. How can you get mad at the corporations for using the tools that the politicians put in place for them, so they could manipulate policy and politics. There is a forest behind that tree your sitting there staring at.With that one fact, I don't understand why people would want government trying to provide everything people need. They can't fix whats wrong now. How on earth would they ever be able to provide everything........stupidiest notion I have ever heard.
I think you both are right, in that our problem is politicians having their hands in corporate pockets. Thus, OccupyWallStreet is born.
And thunderbolt? No one wants goverment to provide EVERYTHING. Healthcare, not Corvettes. Fire protection and law enforcment, not lipstick. See the difference? Healthcare and the like are national security matters, imho. It's one of the insane aspects of our society that we have a for-profit healthcare system, where shareholders are enriched when my claim is denied. Insane.
Thank you ESPN. Hank overstepped. Actually, I think he was probably drunk..
According to Alan Jackson this guy "took some things that messed up his thinking."
hahaha....maybe he can go sing at Sarah Palin events again. Right wing trash.
ESPN got it right this time!
Boo hoo....it's about time this degenerate was dismissed. Remember the Dixie Chicks there "Waterhead" Williams? Think about it.
Hank, your remarks are true to rednecks everywhere! Your stupidity far surpasses your talent. You were provided a gift from God, and you blemished it with the idiotic remarks. How sad.
He made a comparative comment about Obama and Boehner being like Hitler and Netanyahu. He didn't call anyone Hitler. I bet Hank did fire ESPN and they put out the standard B.S. release. Good for Hank and his first amendment rights. People need to lighten up and be realistic.
Are you aware that there is no such thing as a First Amendment right in contractual matters between a private citizen and a corporation?
As any good talent agent will tell you, corporations affiliate with celebrities because they want to temporarily associate with a certain image that the celebrity has cultivated. When that image becomes too toxic or trashy, they have clauses that allow them to dump the celebrity. In these splits, it's hardly ever the celebrity dumping the sponsor.
Hail Obama! All who dare question his leadership will pay.
yes Obama called ESPN and forced them to fire your boyfriend.
Go overboard much??