So long Hank Williams Jr., hello Little Richard for ‘Monday Night Football’

ESPN is hoping that one of the architects of rock ’n’ roll can bring some new energy to their Monday Night Football show with fewer fans in the stands this year.

The new season starting Monday will feature a new version of Little Richard’s hit Rip It Up featuring new instrumentals and backup vocals from the Virginia-based band Butcher Brown.

The song replaces Hank Williams Jr.'s All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight, which was repurposed with new lyrics such as, “All my rowdy friends are here for Monday night.” Williams' song was used on the show for two periods, 1989-2011 and then 2017-2019.

ESPN said in a press release Friday that Little Richard’s song will be combined with NFL and team highlights. The 1956 song was a No. 1 R&B hit for the flamboyant Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, who died in May at the age of 87 in Tennessee.

“We’re truly excited to have teamed up with ESPN for this project and are honored to have had the opportunity to work with the music of the King of Rock ’N' Roll, Little Richard,” said Butcher Brown in a statement provided by ESPN.

Sports Business Daily had reported earlier that ESPN decided to go in a different direction this season because NFL stadiums, amid the coronavirus pandemic, will have few to no fans in the stands.

The Washington Post had reported that an ESPN official said the change was prompted by a sense that Williams' references to “all my rowdy friends” would be contrary with the expected lack of attendance. The official said the nationwide protests over social injustice and systemic racism this year did not play a role in the switch from a 71-year-old white country artist to a Black icon of rock ’n' roll.

Monday Night Football will kick off with a doubleheader featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers playing New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans at the Denver Broncos.