ESPN, Williams split after Hitler comment

No more Bocephus for ESPN: the sports cabler said Thursday that it was dismissing Hank Williams, Jr., who opens for ''Monday Night Football, after Williams compared President Obama to Hitler on Fox News Channel's ''Fox and Friends.'' Williams, in turn, resigned. ''We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams Jr.,'' said the net in an unattributed statement. ''We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue.''Williams said different to the AP this morning, though: ''After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision,'' he said in a statement. ''By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It's been a great run.'' Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com