ESPN VP/Communications Mike Soltys yesterday said there was “no update” on whether Hank Williams Jr. would appear again on ESPN's "MNF" opening sequence, according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. Williams in a statement released yesterday said he is “very passionate about sports and politics and this time it got the Best or Worst of me.” He said he had made “a Dumb statement” comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" Monday morning (USA TODAY, 10/5). YAHOO SPORTS’ Chris Chase wrote Williams’ apology is “better than a non-apology apology but not as good as a full mea culpa.” Williams includes “that classic unrepentant qualifier ‘if it offended anyone,’ which tends to serve as code for, ‘I don't really think I should be apologizing, but I'm not so stubborn that I don't realize one is needed’" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/4).
WATCH WHAT YOU SAY: USA TODAY’s Hiestand writes, “There’s no question Williams, like everybody else, has a right to free speech. But nobody should expect that right to include keeping your paycheck for appearing on a pricey Disney investment … after you’ve compared a U.S. president -- any U.S. president -- to Adolf Hitler. Especially if you come across as nonsensically as Williams did.” If Williams “thought he could beat the odds, he didn’t help himself with a Monday afternoon statement that he’d been misunderstood and a Tuesday statement that he apologized if he offended anyone” (USA TODAY, 10/5). ESPN’s Dan Le Batard said, “A friendly piece of advice I think we should all know by now. It seems to be clear with recurring clarity: Stay away from the Hitler stuff” (“Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable,” ESPN2, 10/4). The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Pompei writes, “If you are ESPN, you have to ask whether you want someone with his opinions and history representing your company.” Newport News Daily Press’ David Teel writes, “Please don't make this a Republican-Democrat issue. Linking an American president to Hitler is offensive regardless of his politics.” The L.A. Times’ Sam Farmer writes, “Don't we have more important things to worry about? The guy has an opinion and a right to that opinion, no matter how wacked out it might be. … Just promise me this: Don't interview Faith Hill on her political opinions” (Baltimore SUN, 10/5).
WHY DOES HIS OPINION MATTER? In Nashville, David Climer writes the “knee-jerk reaction of the powers that be at ESPN to cut Williams’ signature musical introduction to the ‘Monday Night Football’ broadcast ran far, far out of bounds.” Climer: “Why does it matter what an entertainer -- be it musician, actor or other performer -- says about politics or any subject other than his or her own craft? What is the relevance?” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/5). In DC, Alexandra Petri wrote ESPN was “wrong to drop” Williams, and this “whole absurd saga epitomizes everything that is wrong with current commentator culture.” She added, “I don’t want Hank Williams, Jr.’s opinion on whether or not the president and speaker ought to be golfing. I want his opinion on whether it’s football time or not. Never mind the Hitler metaphors’ (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/4). In Toronto, Cathal Kelly writes Williams' "mistake was making a stupid political point within rock-throwing distance of the sports world." ESPN did not pull Williams "as part of an effort to civilize American political discussion." Kelly: "It got rid of him because he threatened to polarize an audience whose only purpose is to watch ads for Ford pick-up trucks" (TORONTO STAR, 10/5).
WALKING INTO A GRAY AREA: FOXSPORTS.com's Brian Lowry wrote the "main problem with these foot-in-mouth flare-ups ... is there's no way to apply punishments and penalties equitably." ESPN "doesn't have a rulebook for it, despite past history," including Rush Limbaugh's comments about then-Eagles QB Donovan McNabb in '03 while he was a member of the "Sunday NFL Countdown" show. Lowry: "When is suspension warranted versus termination, or merely a reprimand?" There is "no denying ESPN is free to not associate with someone perceived to be bad for business," but it is "doubtful many 'Monday Night Football' viewers ... would boycott the show because of the indignity of Williams appearing before kickoff" (FOXSPORTS.com, 10/4).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS: Last night’s edition of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” featured host Stephen Colbert talking about Williams' comments. Colbert said, “Tragically, ESPN caved to the ‘we shouldn’t compare the president to Hitler’-estapo. So last night’s ‘Monday Night Football’ did not begin with Hank Williams Jr. asking the eternal question, ‘Are you ready for some football!?’ And nation, not hearing that song left me dangerously unprepared for some football. I'm in my living room innocently watching a Chevy Silverado ad. Suddenly, a bunch of gigantic, angry men in shiny tights start hitting each other. … It was hours before I realized it was some football and needless to say, I was not ready for it." He added, "I'm sorry ESPN, you can disagree with a man's politics but you have no right to rob the American people of the proper procedures of football preparation” (“The Colbert Report,” Comedy Central, 10/4). Meanwhile, Williams was a punchline on David Letterman's Top 10 List on CBS' "The Late Show" last night. The No. 2 reason for why New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is not running for president was, "Hank Williams Jr. just compared him to Stalin” ("The Late Show," CBS, 10/4).
