Phil Robertson, the beloved patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family and founder of Duck Commander, has died at the age of 79, his son Jase Robertson announced Sunday evening.
“My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!” Jase wrote on Twitter.
Robertson rose to fame after inventing a groundbreaking duck call in the 1970s, which led to the launch of his successful hunting business, Duck Commander. His company later became the centerpiece of the hit reality show Duck Dynasty, which aired on A&E during the 2010s and turned the Louisiana family into cultural icons.
Before his business success, Robertson was a talented athlete. He played quarterback at Louisiana Tech in the 1960s, starting ahead of future NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw.
A devout Christian, Robertson was well-known for his outspoken faith and deep-rooted values. In later years, he became active in politics, endorsing conservative candidates and speaking at major events like CPAC. In 2015, he received the Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award, and he remained a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and religious liberty causes.
Phil Robertson leaves behind a large family and a legacy rooted in faith, family, and the great outdoors.