Are you ready for an apology?

NFL: Hank Williams Jr. is apologizing for using an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama that prompted ESPN to pull his classic intro song to “Monday Night Football.”

Williams said in a statement posted on Facebook and his website Tuesday that his passion for politics and sports “got the best or worst of me.”

In an interview Monday 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.

Associated Press

Tri-City’s Messier suspended

Hockey: Tri-City’s Marcus Messier was suspended for four games on Tuesday by the Western Hockey League for his double-minor checking-from-behind penalty that injured Spokane rookie Liam Stewart during the Chiefs’ home opener on Saturday. In the game, a 7-2 Chiefs win, referees gave the penalty to a different player.

Stewart, as well as defenseman Tanner Mort, who was also injured in Saturday’s game, won’t play in the three games this week, including a Saturday night matchup with Kelowna at the Arena.

The Chiefs are at Vancouver tonight and Kamloops on Friday.

There was no additional penalty for the double high-sticking penalty that cost the Chiefs’ Mitch Holmberg two teeth.

Dave Trimmer

Rowley joins Pittsburgh

AFL: Former Spokane Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley has joined the Pittsburgh Power, the Arena Football League announced on Tuesday.

Rowley was the Most Valuable Player in ArenaBowl 2010 when the Shock won the Arena Football League title.

Last season Rowley threw for 3,322 yards and 78 touchdowns for the Shock. Rowley shared time at quarterback with Erik Meyer.

It’s anticipated that Meyer will return to the Shock next season.