ESPN puts country singer on sidelines
NFL: ESPN is pulling 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 Barack Obama.
In an interview Monday morning on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” Williams 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.
“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,’ ” ESPN said in a statement. “We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from (Monday’s) telecast.”
ESPN did not say whether the intro, synonymous with “Monday Night Football” since 1989, would be used again.
Today’s NBA talks deemed critical
NBA: After a lockout that has lasted more than three months, whether the NBA season starts on time could come down to a “very huge day” in labor talks.
NBA owners and players will be back today for a full bargaining session, knowing if they fail to produce results, there may not be enough time left to avoid canceling regular-season games.
“A lot of signs point to tomorrow being a very huge day,” players’ association president Derek Fisher of the Lakers said. “There will be a lot of pressure on all of us in the room, and we’ll accept that responsibility and go in and see what we can get worked out.”
The sides met in small groups Monday for about five hours, a session that deputy commissioner Adam Silver said was mainly about “setting the table” for today.
Boise State receiver declared eligible
College football: Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore is about to get a new downfield target.
Broncos coach Chris Petersen says sophomore Geraldo Boldewijn has been reinstated by the NCAA. The 6-foot-4 wideout is practicing with the team and is expected to appear in his first game of the season Friday against Fresno State.
Boldewijn is one of three Broncos with Dutch ties who were suspended by the university this season as the NCAA investigates their eligibility. Safety Cedric Febis returned in the second game, while defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe’s status remains under review.
• Ohio State players suspended for next game: Three Ohio State players have been suspended for Saturday’s game for accepting too much money for too little work in their summer jobs.
Last year’s leading rusher, Daniel Herron, and the top returning receiver, DeVier Posey, along with offensive lineman Marcus Hall will not be permitted to play when the Buckeyes (3-2) play at No. 14 Nebraska.
Herron and Posey had five-game suspensions extended. They were expected to be reinstated to play this week. Hall will be missing his first game.
Crosby to begin season on IR
NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby’s return to the ice will have to wait a little longer.
The team placed the former MVP on the injured list Monday, meaning he’ll have to miss at least the first week of the season.
Crosby is continuing to recover from concussion-like symptoms sustained last January.
Roddick loses in first round at China Open
Tennis: Andy Roddick lost to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the China Open in Beijing, a defeat the sixth-seeded American called “unacceptable.” Roddick then walked out of his news conference when asked about any retirement plans.
The 29-year-old Roddick, winner of the 2003 U.S. Open, has dropped in the rankings to 15th after several early round losses this year.
Line gets rain- delayed NHRA win
Auto racing: Jason Line collected his sixth win of the season and the second in NHRA’s playoffs during a rain-delayed final round at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa.
Not only did the Pro Stock point leader collect his second career win at Maple Grove, he also set the national E.T. record with the quickest run in Pro Stock history Monday morning when his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP went 6.477 seconds at 212.49 mph.