BRISTOL, Conn. – ESPN pulled Hank Williams Jr.’s classic intro song from its broadcast of Monday night’s NFL game after the country singer famous for the line “Are you ready for some football?” used an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Obama.

In an interview Monday morning on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” Williams, unprompted, said of Obama’s outing on the links with House Speaker John Boehner: “It’d be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”

Asked to clarify, Williams said, “They’re the enemy,” adding that by “they” he meant Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Anchor Gretchen Carlson later said to him, “You used the name of one of the most hated people in all of the world to describe, I think, the president.” Williams replied, “Well, that is true. But I’m telling you like it is.”

“While Hank Williams Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to ‘Monday Night Football,’ ” the network said in a statement. “We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”

Williams released a statement through his publicist, saying: “Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme — but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me — how ludicrous that pairing was. They’re polar opposites and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the president.”

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Nimoy attends his final ‘Trek’ convention

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Leonard Nimoy has attended his final “Star Trek” convention.

The actor, best-known for playing Mr. Spock in the original TV series that began in September 1966, formed four fingers into a V for Vulcan sign and intoned to fans Spock’s most famous phrase: “Live long and prosper.”

Nimoy, 80, has said the convention in suburban Chicago celebrating the 45th anniversary of “Star Trek” would be his last.

He spoke for an hour and thanked fans for their support over the years.

‘Idol’ champ will sing anthem before Game 1

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NEW YORK – “American Idol” champ Scotty McCreery is getting a dream gig: Not only is the avid baseball fan going to this year’s World Series, he’ll sing the national anthem.

McCreery has been tapped to perform before Game 1 of the World Series, which is scheduled to start Oct. 19. McCreery’s love of baseball was highlighted during his “American Idol” championship run.

McCreery called the opportunity “incredible” and said singing there will be like putting his “two greatest loves together.”

The budding country star released his debut album, “Clear as Day,” today.

Rocker’s restaurant closes

AKRON, Ohio – Chrissie Hynde is citing the struggling economy in the closing of her vegetarian restaurant in her hometown of Akron.

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The Pretenders front woman posted a notice Sunday on the VegiTerranean restaurant website.

She said that she and the staff had tried to keep the restaurant open but that the economic climate made it impossible. She opened the downtown eatery four years ago.

Hynde campaigned in 2009 against a recall effort targeting Mayor Donald Plusquellic and credited him with doing a good job to revive downtown. He survived the recall effort.

The Pretenders are known for such hits as “Back on the Chain Gang” and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 


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