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Are you ready? Hank Williams Jr. returning to ‘MNF’

8 years ago in Sports

FILE - In this July 14, 2011, file photo, Hank Williams Jr. performs during the recording of a promo for NFL Monday Night Football in Winter Park, Fla. USA Today Network-Tennessee reported on June 5, 2017, that Williams and his "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night" theme are returning to "Monday Night Football." Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)


 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hank Williams Jr. is bringing his rowdy friends back to “Monday Night Football” six years after ESPN dropped the country singer for his comments about President Barack Obama.

ESPN says a new version of Williams’ longtime “MNF” theme and its “Are you ready for some football?” catchphrase will debut before the first regular-season Monday night game — a Sept. 11 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.

The network says in a statement that it’s bringing back what it calls “most iconic music video in sports television history” because fans missed it.

ESPN dropped Williams in 2011 after he compared Obama golfing with then-House Speaker John Boehner to Adolf Hitler golfing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

ESPN executive Stephanie Druley tells USA Today Network-Tennessee that she’s not concerned about any backlash over Williams’ return.

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Tags: Adolf Hitler, Are you ready for some football, Barack Obama, Benjamin Netanyahu, ESPN, Hank Willams Jr., John Boehner, Monday Night Football, Stephanie Druley

Story © 2017 Associated Press - Images © 2017 Associated Press

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