Phil Robertson, head of TV's Duck Dynasty family, died Sunday at 79. The family announced in December 2024 that he had developed Alzheimer's.
There will be a private burial and a public celebration of life for Robertson at times and places to be announced.
While raised in Louisiana, Robertson developed a relationship with Alabama's Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, his family and supporters. In 2017, Robertson may have made a difference in Moore's upset victory in the Republican runoff over appointed U.S. Senator Luther Strange. Robertson endorsed Moore, saying:
"I have been an admirer for some time of Judge Roy Moore. He judged with a good understanding of the Constitution and the law, but he also understands natural law and who gave us our rights to begin with, Almighty God. Roy Moore will stand up for truth and what's right, no matter who opposes him, and that is sorely needed in Washington, D.C. I fully endorse his run for the Senate and pray for him and his family."
Robertson then came to Alabama and campaigned in person for Moore in the runoff election against incumbent Strange. Robertson spoke at a large political rally in Baldwin County at the Oak Hollow venue. It is a barn-type facility with a country and western ambiance, perfect for Robertson. An overflow crowd heard Robertson, Moore and other conservative and Christian speakers.
Moore reacted to the support from Robertson:
"I thank Phil for his support and prayers. The Robertsons are a great example for the American family. They represent hard work, Christian values and conservative principles, which is what we need to make our nation great again, and to make our nation good again.”
Moore won the runoff, ousting incumbent Strange. He then lost a close general election to Democrat nominee Doug Jones, a former U.S. Attorney who received the support of some Republicans and Alabama establishment leaders who feared Moore's outspoken crusade for Christian values. Sen. Jones could not hold the seat for long, losing to Republican Tommy Tuberville in 2020.
It was not the first time that Robertson got involved in supporting a Christian conservative political candidate. 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 run for political office, defeated the frontrunner, State Sen. Neal Riser. Many attributed the strength of McAllister's come-from-behind victory to the Robertson endorsement.
In 2016, Phil Robertson first endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for President. After Cruz dropped out of the race, Robertson endorsed Donald Trump.
In December 2016, after Ben Carson stepped down as chairman of American Legacy Center's "Fight for the Court" project, Robertson was appointed to fill the vacancy. He humorously remarked, "Phil filled the bill."
Robertson had literally come from a dirt-poor family with no electricity or indoor plumbing. Living off the land. Produce is grown in their garden, and animals are raised from their abundant hunting.
Robertson's breakthrough from poverty to success was enabled by football. He had excelled in multiple sports in high school and won a football scholarship to nearby Louisiana Tech. He played on the team with LA Tech's outstanding player of all time, quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
Robertson actually was the starting quarterback ahead of Bradshaw in 1966 and 67. Then he quit. His interest was in hunting.
Bradshaw commented on playing college football with Robertson:
"... 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.”
Robertson's take on the comparison with Bradshaw: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks." Eventually, the ducks paid off for Robertson, as football paid off for Bradshaw.
Robertson earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education and became a teacher for four years. Meanwhile, he continued hunting. That was one constant. Always.
Robertson became loudly critical of duck calls, thinking they did not produce an authentic sound. He began experimenting and invented The Commander Call. It did sound authentic, so he was awarded a patent. He incorporated Duck Commander in 1973. This was the beginning of Phil and his family's success.
Phil and family were featured on the A&E series Duck Dynasty from 2012 to 2017. They starred in Steve Bannon's film, "Torchbearer." He became a commentator and hosted "In the Woods with Phil" starting in 2017.
In 2023, a full-length docudrama, "The Blind—The True Story of the Robertson Family," was released in theaters nationwide.
From dirt poor to multi-million dollar success and media fame, all the while crusading for conservative Christian values. The life story of Phil Robertson and family is an All-American Horatio Alger story. In fact, since Phil Robertson is now more widely known than Horatio Alger, the term for a rags-to-riches life could be changed to "a Phil Robertson story."
Jim' Zig' Zeigler's beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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