In today’s Throwback Thursday historical photo, a jump back to a local newspaper story on one of the more recognized outdoor writers and outdoor sportsmen, Grits Gresham. The piece dates back to 2004 and chronicles the life of 81-year-old Grits. If you’re not certain exactly who Grits was, this excerpt from the story will probably jog your memory.
“He has traveled the world hunting, shooting, and fishing with some of America’s most famous people. He has made a good living off taking pictures and writing about his experiences. Back in the good old days, there was only one outdoor television show, too. It was ABC’s ‘American Sportsman’ series, which Grits helped host along with Curt Gowdy.
“There is little doubt that, over the years, Grits is the most well-traveled, well-versed and well-known outdoor icon in the state of Louisiana. But with all that on his resume, no fish he ever caught, no bunch of ducks he ever shot, nor any photo or article he ever published was his defining moment.
“It was a beer commercial that made him a national celebrity.
“Remember the Miller Lite sports celebrity series of commercials? They ran for almost 20 years, featuring an all-star cast that included John Madden, Boog Powell, Bubba Smith, Buck Buchanan, Billy Martin, Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus, Bert Jones, Dick Williams, Efren Herrera, Mickey Spillane, Rodney Dangerfield, Bob Vecker and many, many others.
“‘Those Lite Beer commercials wiped out everything I’ve ever done,’ Grits says with a laugh. ‘Nothing I ever did got nearly as much attention as that. Everywhere I went for years, they’d say you’re that guy in the beer commercial.'”
His book, “Complete Book of Bass Fishing,” published in 1966 is a good one for a bass angler’s library.
For a couple of Grits’ beer commercials, click the links below.
Those commercials are priceless! I love Bass Fishing Archives. Do you think young anglers like this? I hope so!
Yup, remember him well. Those bushy sideburns and cowboy hat were a defining characteristic of Grits. The commercials were fantastic and his magazine and book writing top notch. He definitely deserves a place in Bass Fishing Archives. This post is a treat!