To whomever it is who wins the Bassmaster Classic today, I ask of you, this:

Take a moment and look to the rafters.

Find the banners wherever they may be of all those who have come before you.

Look closely at those names, next year your name will hang amongst them.

The rafters will hold your spot for years to come.

Now take another moment.

Find your family and friends in the seats, they are who got you the rafters.

Without their support, well, you know. Support them back, thank them back. Do so for all those who sponsor you as well.

Another moment please.

Look into the crowd, find the faces of the children, see how they look at you, see how they want to be you, they too want the rafters.

I now ask of you this.

You have proven yourself to be a Champion on water, I ask now that you prove yourself to be a Champion on land too.

Not for me.

Not for those who run this gig.

Not for those other names in the rafters.

But for the littlest ones in those seats, be their champion.

I am the past of the sport.

You are the present of the sport.

THEY are the future of the sport.

I ask for you to consider being a role model for all the children regardless of their race, beliefs, zip code or wealth.

Not a role model who tells them what to do, but instead, be a role model that shows them how. Guide them with your actions on or off the water.

Be kind to the sport that has been kind to you.

Listen gently to the praise but never stop striving to be better.

Congratulations on your win.

The Rafters, await.

db