'Monday Night Football' Pulls Hank Williams Jr. Intro Song for Good

All Hank Williams Jr.'s rowdy friends will no longer be here on Monday night, according to a recent statement from ESPN.

The network had pulled the Williams Jr.-written "Are Your Ready for Some Football" song from a recent airing of "Monday Night Football" after controversial statements comparing President Obama to Hitler, but was reviewing whether or not they wanted continue using the song in the future.

Apparently, they decided to fire Williams Jr. and cease using his song, even after the singer offered further clarification about his earlier statements, which he admitted were "extreme."

“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,” said network reps in a statement.

That's maybe not so much how old Hank sees things. The singer posted a statement to his website today implying that rather than being fired, he had in fact quit based on principle:

“After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made my decision. By pulling my opening Oct. 3, 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.”

Do you think Williams Jr. had his First Amendment rights trampled or was it simply a business decision by ESPN? Will you still watch "Monday Night Football"? Let us know in the comments.

Watch the video that started the controversy: