ESPN drops Hank Williams Jr. song from 'Monday Night Football,' picks new song
In addition to a new crew in the broadcast booth, ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” will also have a new introduction song this year.
SBJ Daily reports that Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night” has been dropped for a new version of the Little Richard song “Rip It Up.” The new version of “Rip It Up” will have instrumentals from a Virginia-based band called Butcher Brown combined with vocals from the late rock ‘n’ roll pioneer who passed earlier this year.
According to the SBJ report, ESPN execs felt that “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night” would not resonate for games that will be contested in mainly empty stadiums.
ABC first used “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night” for “Monday Night Football” in 1989. ESPN dropped the song in 2011 over controversial comments made by Williams. The song returned to ESPN for “MNF” in 2017.
“Monday Night Football” returns on Sept. 14 with a double-header featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants at 7:10 p.m. ET followed by the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos at 10:20 p.m. ET.
This is pathetic and racist. Taking away the Usual song and replace it with a black entertainer song.
There are way more black racists than white racists.
Agreed Ducky, most of the people calling others racist don’t even know what the word means. Maybe if we “Really” judge people by the color of their skin and remove the color all together, then we will be a mostly non-racist community. That will mean that the BET channel has to go, the Ms. Black America has to go, the NFL Rooney rule has to go, any laws that force a business to hire x-percentage of blacks has to go, etc, etc. Lets do that and then we can not look at color of skin any more. Then and only then will we be able to judge by the content of ones heart and not the color of their skin. But we all know thats never going to happen.
100 percent. Resentment and racial tension has nothing to do with “racism.” It’s a product of resentment over special treatment and an ever-growing sense of entitlement.
100% Truth
tailwhip…Agreed 100% +1
Well said sir.
Hank Williams Jr, a white male hated by the self important elite in the media, sports and entertainment world. But I won’t be watching anyway and am finished forever with professional sports.
College football, SEC mainly, is the only sport that I follow closely. I became soured on MLB, NBA, NFL a long while back…and it does seem that all these Pro-sports have just laid-down to the player’s demands. Even the owners are
cow-towing to the kneeling crap. Standing for the anthem is about respecting the U.S.A. flag and all the sacrifices that have been made by our military to protect our freedoms. If you do not respect it…leave the country & see how much $$$ you make in Ethiopia.
Absolutely right.
The Big 12 has adopted most of this crap. It should really go over well in the Heartland, remembering that every state hosting a Big 12 school voted for Trump in 2016. Please, please SEC, do not go that way because after 37 years of buying UGA season tickets, I will never spend another penny on any of your teams or products if you do.
Maybe they’ll just follow the NFL’s lead and play the “black national anthem,” whatever the h*ll that is.
And here I thought blacks were Americans too. Apparently not if they have their own national anthem.
Do you know what a NATIONAL ANTHEM is!? My god, I love how we as Americans have to bend to accommodate all of these different cultures rather than expecting that people integrate to form one American culture. We can’t even have an official language without some liberal pulling the race card. Yet, do you think if you go over to France and expect that everyone there speak English that they’re going to accommodate you? No, they don’t. Yet for whatever reason we have to do just that over here in America.
That should be one of the stipulations to getting a green card.
I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, I just don’t understand how public schools and public resources continue to be expended to accommodate a group of people who refuse to assimilate as Americans. I don’t care if people want to retain their heritage. My issue is the sense of entitlement expecting that everyone around you conform to your culture when literally no other country in the world does this. I mean, if you go over to Saudi Arabia right now, do you think they’re going to give a d@mn if you can’t speak Arabic?
Absolutely right. If I moved to France I’d expect to have to learn French. Just like if I moved to a Muslim country with strict laws regarding religion I wouldn’t expect to be able to flaunt my Christianity all over the place. Countries have established cultures, and if you’re going to live there you should at least recognize and respect their culture and not expect them to change just to cater to you.
If you want to pledge your allegiance to some place that’s not America, go back to wherever that place is and leave me alone.
Assimilating into American culture has worked wonderfully for the Italians, Irish, Polish, etc. and in reality the assimilation of different people into our American culture is what has given this country strength throughout the years. Those who choose to not become American need to be put on the next boat to somewhere else. This is America…Love It or Leave It.
Yes. And when you begin talking about a country with no borders and no assimilation, what kind of country are you really even describing? Globalism doesn’t really work.
And what about the white national anthem? Could we play that? H*ll no we couldn’t because that would be racist, but I love how the rules never apply to minorities.
NAACP, Antifa, BLM, all racist organizations created by people of color to promote one race. Isn’t that the definition of racism ? If the answer is yes, then they must be abolished according to American laws against racism
Have to ban the confederate flag, but we can play the “black national anthem.” Mm’kay. This country has literally lost its mind.
Agreed. I have no problem banning the Confederate flag, but only if we also get rid of things like affirmative action and minority scholarships.
Right
I hope all this virtue signaling that the NFL is doing pays off like it has for the woke NBA and MLB…and Disney has completely destroyed ESPN by turning it into CNN sports…
How you get even is don’t promote the companies that promote only one color of people. Nike, Disney, ESPN, Goodyear Tire, there are many if you do your homework and investigate what they stand for. Stop buying their products.
Didn’t they drop him already for the Obama comments, support for the rebel flag and gun rights?
Then people complained so much about how much the replacement theme sucked they brought Ol’ Hank back again?
Who’s to say it won’t happen a third time? I look forward to it.
They are shoving it down our throats, and since we’re just taking it, they keep shoving more. What they don’t understand is “A country boy can survive”
Bring back Bocephus…his songs are better than any of the so-called replacement songs. His songs are gritty, just like football.
Hank Jrs music is crap anyway. Good riddance!
I am not a country western fan, but his music is better suited than the new songs they pick.
STL, he was not dropped because of his music.
They mix it up by switching from one old out of date artist to a different old out of date artist. Not against the change cause I thought it was over played.
I respect your opinions and think you are entitled to one, but doubt it would win the popular vote. Hank Jr’s music is part of the south. Maybe since you two are “Stuck in Utah” or “St. Louis” you have lost your southern appetites. And then again maybe your 20 something yrs. old and don’t appreciate good music. I personally don’t care for the new age country music of “Kane Brown” or “Fla./Georgia Line” type stuff, but i’m not going to call it crap, just because i don’t care for it.
You forgot Rascall Flatts, which literally sounds like Mickey Mouse trying to sing a bunch of songs about pickup trucks.
I’m almost 21, and I agree with you. Today’s “country” isn’t country. What people today don’t get is country music is a sound. The lyrics aren’t what makes a song “true country”. Real country music has to have either a fiddle, steel guitar, banjo, accordion, harmonica, etc. If I can hear more bass than anything else that’s not country. That’s not to say that I don’t still like some of the newer music (pre-2015, most everything from the last few years is awful), but it’s just not “true” country.
Now, if we can just get ESPN to drop MNF. They have botched that product up through terrible announcers over the years and bush league games.
If they had changed it to another white singer’s song would you still be whining? How about a white non-country singer?
Personally, I’m glad I won’t have to put up with that Hank Jr. music any more. I’ve never liked country music (and yes, I’m born and raised in the Deep South.
You were probably picked on in highschool, have no friends and are not enjoyable to be around
Ummm…yes. When they changed it last time to a white singer people were just as upset. I like Jr’s music, but I don’t care about the change. The Mouse has already established that only certain “groups” of people get to enjoy amnesty for free speech.
You’re acting like it’s somehow not suspicious to axe music from a white, conservative Trump supporting country music singer to a black hip hop artist in the era of BLM and player activism. Come on. I think we can read between the lines here. It’s not like they people are complaining because they decided to replace Hank with Darius Rucker.
A black hip hop artist? Little Richard? Mr. Tutti Fruitti… I don’t really see him as a black hip hop artist. Or are you talking about the instrumental jazz band? Ever listened to them or did you go and look them up and listen to them after reading the article to see who they are? I did and, just my opinion of course, I kinda liked what I heard and do not mind the change. Maybe not for 20 years like Hank Jr had. Not sure anyone could listen to the same Little Richard song for 20 years haha.
You’re right. I got him mixed up with lil John haha. Big difference. I obviously don’t listen to either one of them.
We’ll change it to something you can listen to in your flatbill cap, flannel, tight jeans, and waxed moustache.
^^Now that’s funny!^^
Jr’s music does suck… my cousin told me about the time in Texas when he and his wife won front row tickets to a concert… Hank Jr. was the opening act and they could have cared less about seeing him… as he came out, everyone stood except them, and he hocked up a couple of loogies and tried to spit on them… disgusting.
Your friend and his wife must be a lot of fun to be around. It’s not an effing Dave Brubeck concert.
It’s because he is a Trump supporter and doesn’t fit the ESPN/Disney agenda. Libs and Dems are celebrating this victory so they can focus on reaching other cultures like the NBA to grab the attention of others. What a waste of a decision from ESPN. How dare he be replaced because he supports Trump and his type of music doesn’t grab the attention of a different crowd. Racism exists on both sides of the spectrum. Doubel standard.
Bring on the dems on libs commenting on this article celebrating an thanking ESPN because Hank Jr. doesn’t agree with their political opinions. Cry and Whine until you get what you want, and if you don’t get what you want, you riot. Welp, this is just is what it is. Cancel Culture. Cancelled!
Well stated BlackandGold!
Funny, considering that it’s only an extreme minority of artists who aren’t bleeding heart liberals, basically only country musicians.
And more and more of them are liberal. That’s why country music sounds the way it does now.
I’ve always thought it was a good song for MNF, but if they try a different intro, big deal. Obviously they knew his political views the past three years, right? So why didn’t they make a change before? If someone is that upset with the change they certainly don’t have to watch.
Is there anyone who didn’t see this coming?
Hank will be playing at my house…whether or not we watch NFL games (which is looking doubtful at this point)
Replace it with Ice T’s Cop K1ller since that’s what Kaep and the NFL supports
I thought they would go with NWA’s f*ck the police. Culture has absolutely no respect for authority and they want to blame the cops…just amazes me how society doesn’t see this.
Maybe they can get on to more important things like helping Ray Lewis find that white suit he lost
Lol, speaking of privilege…
Well this Rowdy Reptile & his friends will NOT be watching MNF or any NFL game – ever. Haven’t watched pro football, basketball or baseball in several years and don’t miss any of it. My time and $ goes to people and organizations where our country is respected and loved. You don’t like that, you’re free to leave.
mudragon…100% agreed !
Yes Sir, AFan. This is the greatest country on earth and a LOT of people have given their lives to make it so. There is no confusion in my mind or in my heart about what is right and what is wrong. God bless America! And Roll Tide!
It also says the song was dropped because it would “not resonate for games that will be contested in mainly empty stadiums.” So is race really the reason or is it the pandemic? You guys claim it’s racist but it seems to me that you clearly jumped immediately to that conclusion. It sounds like you want it to be about race.
That’s a pretty half-@ssed response considering the fact that the song is being played for people sitting at home in their living room, not spectators in the stands, but nice try.
Agreed. Not sure Jroc put much thought into the MNF intro song
Little Richard had other songs more appropriate for the new nfl – Tuity Fruity would be a better choice!
I can’t believe all of these snowflakes talking about not watching football anymore because the intro song the NFL got changed. Pulling the race card at the slightest opportunity! People these days just get triggered by the smallest things. This cancel culture is really ruining America, IMO.
Pretty sure it’s a culmination of several things, but okay. Just my guess, but I imagine some people don’t want to have to listen to the social justice agenda get rammed down their throat in order to watch a football game and therefore would prefer not watching.
The people complaining about the intro song being changed aren’t part of the Cancel Culture. Cancel Culture is what got the song changed. What you are witnessing here is the Anti-Cancel Culture crowd–the resistance to cancel culture.
All of this is just minor things. Remember if Trump wins on November 3rd America burns on November the 4th. No one will stop them.
No it won’t! It will finally come to an end. Trump will evoke the Powers received to the President, just like Kennedy and Lincoln and this crap will end. If this had not been so close to the election he would have already ended it. However, that is what the Democrats wanted him to do, send in the forces and but it down in an ugly scenario that would hopefully end any hopes he would have for re-election. However, so many people want to see this that it possibly could help his chances.
Regardless, if he wins re-election, he will be able to restore the rule of law and ensure justice is served on the one guilty of sedition, treason in facilitating an attempt to overthrow the government of the United Stars of America!
Wow. This kind of overt mentality has developed in less than four years.
I was spending over $200 a month for a bunch of crap TV and basically watching just sports, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, and ME TV. Then, I discovered Newsmax and ME were free to watch online, and I found suitable substitutes for Fox in OAN, The First, and other non-fake news. When the sports leagues decided to align with the Marxists, it was quite easy to drop them quickly and cut the cord. Now, I spend $200 a month on needed things like ammo. I went shooting today and won a free Trump in 2020 camo t-shirt for the high score on an AK Variant.
LH…You’ve got your heart in the right place. I too believe that the NFL will set an all-time low for fans in the stadiums plus fewer viewers on TV. All professional sports: NFL, NBA, MLB should stick to sports period.
Hank Williams just died and was outspoken against all the “wokeness”.
The league wanted him out because of his politics.
Hank Williams Sr (greatest country artist of all-time IMHO) is deceased. His name sake is still alive and kicking. Maybe you’re thinking of Charlie Daniels who recently passed.
I doubt Hank Jr. or CDB knows what “wokeness” even means
Duckymaxey. Did you even read the article? Changing the song had nothing to do with race. But you sure played your race card.