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(Undated)  —  ESPN doesn’t plan on finding a permanent replacement just yet for Hank Williams Jr.’s “Monday Night Football” theme.  ESPN’s Bill Hofheimer tells “The Detroit Free Press” that this week’s game opening will include a minute-long segment featuring Detroit’s Selected of God gospel choir with soul singer Jimmy Scott performing “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City,” along with a narration from former Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders.  Hofheimer adds that this isn’t the new “Monday Night Football” opening, and “the spot will look different every week” for the rest of the season.

ESPN and Hank Jr. severed ties last week following the country star’s appearance last Monday on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”  When the interview took a political turn, Williams made an analogy comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler that didn’t sit well with ESPN.  While Hank later explained his comments and eventually apologized, it didn’t work to salvage his relationship with the sports cable channel.  Prior to last week, an adapted version of Hank Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” had launched “Monday Night Football” broadcasts for more than two decades.

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Kathy Taylor/sw  MI)

Copyright © 2011

Metro Networks Inc.

10-10-2011 00:12:38