Although ESPN announced first that they have parted ways with him, the singer insisted that it was his decision to leave.
- Oct 7, 2011
AceShowbiz - Hank Williams Jr. has earned a stern penalty for comparing President Barack Obama to Hitler. ESPN has decided to fire the singer and notified him on Thursday, October 6 morning. However, in a contradictory statement, Williams said that it was his decision to leave the sports network.
Williams' song "All My Rowdy Friends" has been the traditional lead-in song of Monday Night Football since 1991. ESPN cut it from last week's telecast after his comments caused an uproar. He apologized the next day and there was no sign that it would be permanent.
But on Thursday, ESPN announced, "We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue."
Just a few minutes later, Williams Jr. posted in his blog, "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."
