Hank Williams Jr.: Are You Ready for Some...Controversy?

Are you ready for some controversy?  I am not sure if Hank Williams Jr. is.  The country music star finds himself in a little bit of a pickle right now.  If you haven't heard, Hank Williams Jr. made some comments about Obama on Fox News the other night.  He compared Barack Obama and John Boehner's golfing day "would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu."  Hank Williams Jr. has been the voice of Monday Night Football for 22 years now.  He cleverly opens up each game with a customized song about the two NFL teams that are playing that night.

Last Monday's Colts-Bucs game, ESPN pulled the scheduled Hank Williams MNF song from live TV.  ESPN followed by suspending Williams Jr. for a week because of his comments.  The country singer was upset by their actions and decided to part ways.  He stated the following, “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.”

It is never a good thing when you compare the person running the country as a member of the Three Stooges.  This is exactly what Williams JR. has done.  Hank Williams definitely has to watch what he says. Even though he doesn't directly work for ESPN, he is connected to one of the biggest, if not the biggest sports company in the world.  ESPN had no choice but to part ways.  It is one thing to criticize a political leader publicly but to compare the person to one of the most hated, disturbed historical political figures is beyond wrong.  Monday Night Football and the NFL are among the most popular shows and sports in the U.S.A.  His comments are connected by viewers to ESPN.

Should we care of other people's political views?  I don't think we should, however that doesn't mean Hank was right for what he said.  He was asked for his opinion on TV and he gave it.  It was not what people wanted to here but that is why the issue of free speech was issued; so people could have their own opinions.  I don't think ESPN was wrong for splitting with him but we should not care about someone else's opinions but we do.  Hank just chose the wrong analogy for such a important figure in this country.

Was ESPN wrong for parting ways with Hank Williams Jr. or was that the right move for them?  Let me know what you think in the comment box.