HAMMERIN' HANK

For the 20th anniversary of his ditty's debut on Monday Night Football, Hank Williams Jr. and a crew of cheerleaders, mascots and fans recently gathered to shoot the rockingest opening sequence yet. We hit the set to talk to the country icon about Brett, Jessica and the rest of his rowdy pals.

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How did "All My Rowdy Friends" end up as the opening theme for MNF ?
In 1988, I got a call from my late manager. He said, "Brother, how would you like to sing to 20 million people every Monday night?" I said, "Are you crazy?" Twenty years later, it's a signature of American sports.

How do fans react when they see you?
They get down for me around the 'hood! On the road they'll say, "That's the Monday Night man!" or "That's the Rowdy Friend!"

Do players give you feedback?
Yes. It's amazing. Brett Favre once told me, "My god, that song pumps me up good."

Don't you and Brett hang out?
My place and his aren't too far apart, and we both like to hunt and fish. I remember talking to him at a sporting goods store right after a game. He said, "I'm getting a new scope! You can't have too many guns or scopes" We kind of speak the same language. A lot of sports and music people hang together.

Like Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo?
Jessica is actually a friend of my daughter's. I see her a lot. I don't know if Tony is concentrating fully on his game. I mean, how the hell could you?

Do you have a favorite team?
Probably the Steelers. Terry Bradshaw and I were born in the same hospital, in the same town: Shreveport, La.

Okay, picks for the first night of MNF : Vikings vs. Packers &
I don't know, but it will be really close. You just don't blow out the Vikings.

Broncos vs. Raiders.
Definitely the Broncos. The Raiders made some good off-season acquisitions, but they've got to show me something.

Where will you be watching?
I'm not the type to hit the most hopping bar. I'll be home, casting bullets or milking lead.

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