Formerduck-dynasty” target=”_blank”> “Duck Dynasty” < series “At Home with the Robertson’s.”
Willie Robertson gets candid about the country’s most culturally dividing issues to find common ground on Facebook Watch series, ‘At Home With the Robertson’s.’
“It’s not easy having these conversations and actually putting yourself out there [but] I think Americans kind of want that,” Robertson told Fox News.
Robertson is the CEO of Duck Commander, the multimillion-dollar duck call and decoy sporting empire that catapulted his family to mainstream fame – and controversy – on the A&E show “Duck Dynasty.”
He made headlines last week for asking if taking a knee during the national anthem is a “powerful protest or is it disrespectful to the military?” He sat down with NFL players Arian Foster, former running back for the Houston Texans; Michael Thomas, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints; and American football long snapper and United States Army Green Beret Nate Boyer to weigh in.
They referred to the 2016 silent protest started bycolin-kaepernick” target=”_blank”> Colin Kaepernick<
Thomas, who is Black, explained that regardless of race, pro football players have a platform and he believes, a responsibility to address racial injustices impacting the Black community.
This 2012 photo released by A&E shows, from left, Phil Robertson, Jase Robertson, Si Robertson and Willie Robertson from the A&E series, ‘Duck Dynasty.’
(A&E)
“When it comes to issues in the African American community, why can’t we be the leaders and the champions of that as well? And use our voice and platform and do it?'” he said on the episode.
While Robertson’s fans were divided on the topic – some expressed the need for the conversation.
“Whether you support it or not, there needs to be dialogue,” one commenter wrote on the Facebook Live series which garnered more than 5,000 views.
Another user remarked in the comments: “I see no disrespect in taking a knee at sporting events, its getting too political.”
Speaking of politics, when asked if Robertson would consider running for office, the reality TV star said a career in politics isn’t in his future.
Robertson is pictured here addressing the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 17, 2016. He told Fox News he doesn’t ‘have any desire’ to run for political office.
(Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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“I just don’t have any desire,” Robertson said. “I’m respectful of any office,” he added.
Robertson ultimately says he hopes to move the needle on important conversations facing the country by using his platform through the show.
