In a curt statement, ESPN severed its ties with Hank Williams Jr. after the singer made his offensive, nonsensical comparison of Obama and Hitler on Fox & Friends earlier this week. The network, which hosted his cheesy rock song "All My Rowdy Friends" on Monday Night Football for years, gave him a deservedly perfunctory send off: "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." Unsurprisingly, as NBC Sports flagged, the singer released a defiant retort on his website that he was the one who ended it:

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.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at ehayden at nationaljournal dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
Erik Hayden