ESPN is bringing Hank Williams Jr. back into the "MNF" fold with a new version of the singer's "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night" set to debut before the Sept. 11 Saints-Vikings game, according to a front-page piece by Cindy Watts of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. ESPN Senior VP/Event & Studio Production Stephanie Druley said, "It’s a return to our past in that it’s such an iconic song associated with football. ... It belongs to 'Monday Night Football.' It really is about returning to what fans know. It’s a Monday night party and that’s what we’re all hoping to get back to." Watts reports a music video was filmed in Nashville yesterday and "includes two additional contemporary music artists to freshen the song's presentation." The new acts will be "named later this week and each artist will be featured in every 'Monday Night Football' opening, the song lyrics being changed each game to reflect the competing football teams." ESPN dropped Williams from the program in '11, following remarks Williams "made after a golf outing" between President Obama and then-Republican House Speaker John Boehner. Williams, speaking on Fox News, said, "It would be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli leader) Benjamin Netanyahu." When asked to explain his analogy, Williams said Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden are the "enemy." ESPN's move to "renew its relationship with Williams comes amid a tumultuous period at the network." Bringing back Williams "may be one way that the network is trying to get back its mojo as the 'Worldwide Leader in Sports'" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/5).
THE RETURN OF HANK: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Darin Gantt notes ESPN is bringing back someone "whose political commentary cost him a gig in the first place" at a time when some are criticizing the net for "being too political." ESPN "figures enough time has passed (and the political climate has changed) such that Williams and his rowdy friends should be more welcome now" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 6/5). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee writes, "As a cynical sort might say, ESPN is looking to shore up defense against the charge that it’s too liberal -- and so Hank is back." ESPN officials "indicated they expect a bit of backlash, but nothing they can’t handle" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/5). NBC's Mike Florio said, "Let's see what those who have been claiming that ESPN is struggling due to liberal politics will say about Hank Williams Jr. coming back. I have a feeling they may not say anything at all because it doesn't fit with the narrative that ESPN is failing because of liberal politics" ("PFT," NBCSN, 6/5). In DC, Cindy Boren writes "with apologies" to Carrie Underwood, who has sung the "SNF” theme for NBC since '13, no song has been "as iconic or instantly identifiable for the league" as Williams' tune. The "bottom line is that the parting was instantly controversial and 'MNF' could use the ratings boost now" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/5).
TWITTER REAX: ESPN's Bomani Jones tweeted, "Seriously, i don't ever wanna hear a word about no damn liberal agenda ever ever ever again." Pro Football Talk's official feed: "A move we’re guessing won’t be viewed as political by some recent critics." Yahoo Sports' Busbee: "You damn well better be ready for some football." The Cauldron's Jamie O'Grady: "Shameful pandering to those who think @Kaepernick7 is the Antichrist" (TWITTER.com, 6/5).
