Trace Adkins praises pro fishing for embracing faith and patriotism: ‘They’re not afraid’
Trace Adkins praised professional bass fishing for openly embracing faith and patriotism while attending The Champions tournament in Tennessee. The country singer performed the national anthem before the final round and said he valued that competitors pray and include patriotic traditions.
The three-day event on Old Hickory Lake brought together anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour, with a record $3.25 million total purse. Matt Robertson won the $1.25 million first prize, while Bassmaster’s Team Stars took the team title on Friday; Adkins also spoke about his lifelong interest in fishing and its role in bringing people together.
In short
- Trace Adkins praised fishing’s public embrace of faith and patriotism.
- He performed the national anthem at The Champions in Tennessee.
- Matt Robertson won the $1.25 million prize from a record $3.25 million purse.
Explained simply
Professional bass fishing is a competitive sport in which anglers try to catch bass in lakes and rivers, often over several days. In the United States, major circuits include the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour.
The sport has a large following, and tournaments can bring competitors, sponsors and fans together. Some events also include public ceremonies, such as prayers or performances of the national anthem, reflecting traditions that are familiar to many American sports audiences.
Trace Adkins is a country singer who has also spoken about his long-standing interest in fishing. His comments connect the tournament to wider questions about how sports events express faith, patriotism and shared community traditions.