NFL Replaces Hank Williams Jr.’s Monday Night Football Anthem

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

September 9th, 2020 12:44 PM

After years of singing about his “rowdy friends” coming over to watch Monday night football, Hank Williams Jr.’s song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” is getting dropped by the NFL.

USA Today reports that the NFL is swapping Hank Williams Jr.’s song introduction with “Rip It Up,” a 1956 song from rock and roll architect Little Richard. Hank’s “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” began as the opener for Monday Night Football in 1989. The catchphrase “are you ready for some football?” quickly became NFL viewing tradition.

2020’s Monday Night Football kicks off September 14 with a double-header featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants and Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos.

Hank Williams Jr., who was dropped by ESPN briefly in 2011 for comparing President Obama’s golf game with House Speaker John Boehner to “Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” returned to the spot in 2017.

• Share

  Hank Williams, Jr. performs at the Fifth annual New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway on December 31, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. performs onstage during 2016 CMA Festival - Day 2 at Nissan Stadium on June 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. performs during Pepsi's Rock The South Festival - Day 2 in Heritage Park on June 2, 2018 in Cullman, Alabama.
• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. performs onstage during 2016 CMA Festival - Day 2 at Nissan Stadium on June 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. and his daughter Holly Williams arrive at the 2006 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University April 10, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. and his daughters, Hilary (22), Holly (20), and Katie (9), backstage at the Country Freedom Concert in Nashville, Tennesee on October 21, 2001 .
• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. performs during Pepsi's Rock The South Festival - Day 2 in Heritage Park on June 2, 2018 in Cullman, Alabama.

• Share

  Hank Williams Jr. performs at The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson produced by Blackbird Presents at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Share

  Hank Williams, Jr. performs at the Fifth annual New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway on December 31, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.
• 3317174

  Share

  American country singing star, Hank Williams Jnr, with his wife Gwen, in London for the International Country Music Festival.

• Share

  Kirt Webster (Webster PR), and Gloria Estefan (4th from left), Hank Williams Jr. (6th. from left), Robert Toms (8th from left, Director ESPN), Mary Michael (Webster PR) and Ken Levitan (Manager) attend the taping for the 40th Anniversary of Monday Night Football at Centennial Park in the Parthenon on June 22, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Get The Country 102.5 Special Access Newsletter Sent To Your Inbox.

Enjoy the latest Country music, entertainment news, local happening you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

Category:

• Country 102.5
• Music

Tags:

Hank Williams Jr.