In 2018, the always outspoken Hank Williams Jr. weighed in on NFL protests with his song "Take a Knee, Take a Hike." The song addresses NFL players who have kneeled during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality.
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Williams Jr., who has a long history with the NFL, has remained quiet on the subject of NFL protests until recently. On Oct. 4, 2018 the singer released "Take a Knee, Take a Hike" on his YouTube channel.
"Please do us a favor, all you America haters/ If you're gonna take a knee, take a hike," Williams Jr. sings.
The "Family Tradition" singer references his Monday Night Football gig in the tune, before going on to question the longevity of the institution itself, singing "I'm afraid the NFL means 'Not For Long' if they don't find a fix for what's going on."
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The NFL protests began when former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem during the 2016 football season. Several players joined Kaepernick to take part in the peaceful protest. Since 2016, about 200 NFL players have either knelt or sat down during the anthem.
The protests have been a controversial topic of debate in the last two years.
Williams Jr. is not the only country artist to share his opinion on the topic. Last year, Neil McCoy released "Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)," which criticized the movement.
However, some country singers have spoken out in solidarity with the players who are protesting injustice.
In 2017, country singer Meghan Linsey opted to take a knee after singing the national anthem at a Tennessee Titans game.
"I kneeled in solidarity with the players and for those who experience racism and police brutality on a daily basis," Linsey said. "I love the American Flag, but a symbol is nothing without the people it represents."
In 2017, Williams, Jr. returned to his Monday Night Football theme song gig after being fired by ESPN in 2011.
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