Phil Robertson | |
---|---|
Born | Phil Alexander Robertson April 24, 1946 Vivian, Louisiana, U.S. |
Alma mater | Louisiana Tech University (BS, MEd) |
Occupation(s) | Hunter, businessman, reality television star |
Years active | 1972–present |
Television | Duck Dynasty |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | |
Children | 5, including Jase and Willie |
Relatives |
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Phil Alexander Robertson (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman (Duck Commander company), and reality television star on the popular television series Duck Dynasty . He is also featured on the television show Duck Commander, a hunting program on the Outdoor Channel. [1]
He attended Louisiana Tech University, where he played football. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.
Robertson was the subject of controversy after a 2013 interview he did with GQ magazine, where he said that homosexual behavior was sinful. As a result, A&E suspended him from Duck Dynasty. [2] [3] [4] [5] Facing a strong backlash from his supporters, A&E lifted the suspension after nine days. [6]
In September 2023, a biographical film on the early life of Robertson, The Blind , was released in theaters.
Robertson was born in Vivian, Louisiana. He was the fifth of seven children of Merritt (née Hale) and James Robertson. Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions, having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.
In his book, Happy, Happy, Happy, [7] Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s ... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances." [8]
Halfway between Vivian and Hosston is Robertson's restored log cabin birth home. The property is owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale. [9]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in football, baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend Louisiana Tech in Ruston on a football scholarship in the late 1960s. [10] At Tech, he played first-string quarterback for the Bulldogs, ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, [11] [12] the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby Shreveport. [13] [14] Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in 1966 and 1967, and chose not to play in 1968. [15]
In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions. [10] It was thought Robertson had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting. [10] Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much." [16]
When Paul Harvey [ citation needed ] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the Washington Redskins, he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Additionally, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport. [14] Robertson put it this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks." [10]
Robertson later received a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's in education. [17]
Robertson initially spent several years teaching [17] before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975. [18] [19]
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the Duck Commander Company was incorporated in 1973. [17] Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multimillion-dollar business, headed by his son, Willie Robertson. [20] Robertson and his family were portrayed on the A&E reality television series Duck Dynasty , which ran from 2012 to 2017, and covered their daily lives within Duck Commander.
Robertson was featured in Steve Bannon's film Torchbearer, [21] in which he talks about the absurdity of life without God, using events like The Holocaust to illustrate the point. [22] In October 2017, Robertson joined CRTV as a contributor, hosting In the Woods with Phil. [23]
In September 2023, The Blind - The True Story of the Robertson Family was released in theaters nationwide. The film details the tumultuous early life of Robertson, his wife, and their family until 1985, before their Duck Dynasty fame. [24]
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with Drew Magary of GQ . [2] When during the interview for a featured article in GQ's January 2014 issue entitled What the Duck? Robertson was asked what he thought was sinful and responded, [25] "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He paraphrased a Biblical passage from First Corinthians by saying "Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won't inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. Robertson said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying, [2] [26] [27] [28] "We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus—whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?"
In response to initial criticisms A&E released a statement from Robertson saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me". Later that day the network announced his suspension. [29] After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes and statements from political figures condemning the move, [30] [31] A&E lifted the suspension before any episode was affected. [32]
In 2015, Robertson made further controversial comments when he was awarded the 2015 Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award. In a half-hour speech to CPAC, Robertson asserted that STDs are the legacy of Nazis, communists, beatniks, and hippies. He also told a long and graphic anecdote about an atheist and his family being murdered, and that the assailants would say "But you're the one who says there is no God, there's no right, there's no wrong, so we're just having fun." His statements went viral. [33] [34]
Robertson and Marsha "Miss Kay" Carroway started dating in 1964 as "high school sweethearts." [35] The couple was married in 1966. [35] [36] Despite early troubles in their marriage due to Robertson's "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle," [36] a 2013 editorial published by Yahoo TV correspondent Kelly Woo described the Robertsons' union as a "long-standing, rock-solid marriage." Their first son, Alan, was born while they were attending college. [35]
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of and elder at the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ [37] in West Monroe, and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems. [38] Robertson opposes abortion and has called it a violation of the Declaration of Independence. [39] He frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances. [36] [40] In 2013, alongside joint author Mark Schlabach, Robertson published a memoir titled Happy, Happy, Happy. [7]
In a 2013 special election, Robertson made a television commercial endorsing Vance McAllister, a Republican candidate for the Robertson family's home district, Louisiana's 5th congressional district . McAllister, who had never held political office, defeated the thought-to-be frontrunner, state senator Neil Riser. Many attributed the strength of McAllister's come-from-behind victory to the Robertson endorsement. [41] In 2016, Phil Robertson endorsed Ted Cruz for President. [42] As Cruz dropped out of the race, Robertson, while at Cannes, endorsed Donald Trump for President. [43] In 2017, in the Alabama run-off election, he endorsed Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate. [44] In a primary rally of his, he went and made a speech in his defense about what he felt made the Ten Commandments important to keep as part of being on display in courtrooms.
In either December 2016 or January 2017, after Ben Carson stepped down from the chairmanship of American Legacy Center's "Fight for the Court" project, Robertson filled the vacancy. [45] [46]
On May 28, 2020, it was revealed that Phil has learned he has a daughter named Phyllis from an affair in the 1970s. [47]
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since 1994, he has been a television sports analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday. Bradshaw is also an actor and recording artist, having participated in several television shows and films, most notably co-starring in the movie Failure to Launch, and releasing several country music albums. He won four Super Bowl titles in a six-year period, becoming the first quarterback to win three and four Super Bowls, and led the Steelers to eight AFC Central championships. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, his first year of eligibility. Bradshaw was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
West Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is situated on the Ouachita River, across from the neighboring city of Monroe. The two cities are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana. Its population was 13,065 at the 2010 census and it is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Independence Bowl is a post-season National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually each December at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Independence Bowl was named because it was inaugurated in 1976, the year of the United States Bicentennial. The bowl's current title sponsor is Radiance Technologies, per an agreement announced for the 2020–2025 editions. Only one prior edition of the bowl, in 2013, has not used Independence Bowl branding.
A&E is an American basic cable network and the flagship television property of A&E Networks. The network was originally founded in 1984 as the Arts & Entertainment Network, initially focusing on fine arts, documentaries, dramas, and educational entertainment. Today, the network deals primarily in non-fiction programming, including reality docusoaps, true crime, documentaries, and miniseries.
Mark Schlabach is an American sports journalist, New York Times best-selling author, columnist, and reporter for ESPN.com.
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Milton Eugene "Mickey" Slaughter was an American professional football player and college coach. He played quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the American Football League (AFL) after playing college ball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Following his playing career, he was an assistant coach for Louisiana Tech.
Duck Dynasty is an American reality television series that aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017. The series portrays the lives of the Robertson family, who became successful from their family-operated business, Duck Commander. The West Monroe, Louisiana business makes products for duck hunters, primarily a duck call called Duck Commander. The episodes are structured in a sitcom story format, unlike other reality television series, which has allowed it to have continued success in syndication. The bearded Robertsons – brothers Phil and Si, and Phil's sons Jase, Willie, and Jep – are the poster characters for the show, though the main cast consists of family and friends of the Robertsons such as their wives – Miss Kay, Korie, Missy Robertson, and Jessica Robertson – as well as coworkers Martin and Godwin, beardless brother Alan, radio host Mountain Man, and the Robertson kids – Sadie, John Luke, Bella, Willie Jr, Mia, Reed, and others. The family was previously featured on the Duckmen series, and Outdoor Channel's Benelli Presents Duck Commander and its Buck Commander spin-off.
Duck Commander is an American hunting and outdoor recreation company in West Monroe, Louisiana. Founded by Phil Robertson, a football quarterback at Louisiana Tech University, he developed and patented the company's namesake duck call the Duck Commander. He began his business in a dilapidated boat, where he spent 25 years making duck calls from Louisiana cedar trees. Phil and Miss Kay's third son Willie Robertson is the company's chief executive officer. Willie and his wife Korie expanded the business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Besides duck-hunting equipment, they also manufacture deer-hunting merchandise under the Buck Commander brand, fishing gear with their Fin Commander brand, and turkey-hunting merchandise under the Strut Commander brand.
The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to elect the six U.S. representatives from the state of Louisiana, one from each of the state's six congressional districts. The elections coincided with those of other federal and state offices, including the United States Senate.
Willie Jess Robertson is an American TV personality, businessman, author and news contributor. He is best known for his appearances on the reality TV series Duck Dynasty on A&E, and is the current CEO of the company Duck Commander. Robertson lives in West Monroe, Louisiana, with his wife Korie and his children: John Luke, Sadie, Will, Rowdy, Bella, and Rebecca.
Jason SilasRobertson is an American television personality, businessman, and professional duck hunter. He developed several of Duck Commander's duck calls, and co-starred in the A&E reality television show Duck Dynasty and Fox Entertainment's Duck Family Treasure. He is the co-host of the podcast Unashamed alongside his father Phil Robertson and brother Alan.
Silas Merritt Robertson, known as Si Robertson and often referred to as "Uncle Si", is an American television personality, veteran, and a retired reed maker for duck calls at Duck Commander. He is best known for his role on A&E's Duck Dynasty, on which he has emerged as a breakout cast member. He has also appeared on other shows such as the Outdoor Channel's Buck Commander and The Duckmen of Louisiana, and was the eponymous host of the Duck Dynasty spin-off Going Si-Ral. Si has also made a guest appearance on Last Man Standing, and in Big Idea Entertainment's Veggie Tales episode Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas as Silas the Narrator. He is also presently cohosting the podcast Duck Call Room.
A special election for Louisiana's 5th congressional district was held on November 16, 2013, to elect a member of the United States House of Representatives. Incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Alexander resigned on September 26, 2013, to become the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs under Governor Bobby Jindal.
Robert Allen Johnson is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 28 in Avoyelles Parish in south central Louisiana. He resides in Marksville. While in the House, Johnson was the House Minority Leader, opposite Majority Leader Lance Harris of Alexandria.
Robert Weldon Russell III, known as Weldon Russell, is a Democrat and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives who served from District 72 between 1984 and 1988 during the third administration of Governor Edwin Washington Edwards.
Si-cology 1: Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty's Favorite Uncle is an autobiography by American television personality Silas Robertson, co-written by Mark Schlabach.
Marsha Kay Carroway Robertson is an American television personality, best known for her appearances on the A&E reality series Duck Dynasty.
Korie Howard Robertson is a reality television star on the A&E show Duck Dynasty.
For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called "Miss Kay," to raise their three sons alone.