March 24, 2003

Pro fisherman decides this Bud's
not for him, refuses to wear Busch patch
___By Jerry Pierce
___Oklahoma Baptist Messenger
___OKLAHOMA CITY (BP)--America's most famous fisherman won't be hooking any year-end honors in 2003 because he won't bend the knee to Busch.
___Jimmy Houston, a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church in the eastern Oklahoma town of Keys, and host of the ESPN2 television series "Jimmy Houston Outdoors," refused to wear a Busch beer apparel patch and add a Busch decal to his boat at three recent Bass Angler Sportsman Society professional events.
___Consequently, Houston has forfeited points needed to qualify for the prestigious BASS Master's Classic tournament and a potential Angler of the Year prize worth $100,000.
___Of 182 BASS anglers, Houston has been the only one to refuse the Busch logos.
___BASS signed Annheiser Busch as an official sponsor last summer. Houston said he learned of the requirement to carry Busch apparel and decals last fall and knew immediately he could not comply for "ethical, moral and scriptural reasons."
___Twice honored as Angler of the Year and a BASS competitor since 1968--and the most veteran among active pros--Houston said BASS is a good organization but is trying to increase visibility and revenue by aligning with a sponsor inappropriate with its family friendly history.
___Ironically, BASS participants are prohibited from consuming alcohol on days preceding and during BASS events, Houston said.
___He said he is "totally shocked" and disappointed that he is the only holdout.
___One other angler, Lyndell Martin of Texas, opted not to fish this year at all, Houston said.
___"I really figured 30 or 40 guys would refuse," Houston noted. "I could have written down 20. I think before the schedule is completed, some of the guys will take that patch off."
___Houston was instrumental in developing a Fellowship of Christian Anglers group and counts many of those complying with the rule as Christian brothers and friends.
___"One guy asked me, 'Jimmy, didn't you pray about this?'
___"I told him, 'No, I didn't pray about it. There was nothing to pray about. I didn't have a decision to make. ... I knew what I was supposed to do."
___When Houston first learned about the Busch patch requirement, he thought of the 12-year-old boy he'd led to faith in Jesus Christ last spring at a youth rally featuring Christian musicians Audio Adrenaline. After Houston prayed with the boy, the boy asked the famed fisherman for a favor: "Will you talk to my dad about his drinking problem?"
___Reluctantly, Houston agreed.
___The boy's dad, a Vietnam veteran, was receptive but said he didn't have a drinking problem.
___Houston told him, "If what you're telling me is true, it doesn't sound to me like you have a drinking problem, either. However, if your son thinks it's a problem, then it's a problem."
___Houston asked the man if he wished for his son to drink and the man replied he did not.
___"Well, sir, he's going to do what you do," Houston told him.
___

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