HOUSTON — He made them laugh, he made them cry. Gerald Swindle’s much-anticipated speech on the “Night of Champions” certainly ran the gamut of emotions.
First, the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year spoke of his respect for his fellow Elite Series pros, which he called the best in the world. He said he was proud to be able to fish for a living among them.
“To stand here tonight, and you guys stand up and applaud for me, hey, that’s good stuff,” Swindle said. “Last year was a remarkable season. I tell everybody, ‘God takes care of dumb people.’ (Big laugh.) If you don’t believe it, just hang out with me.” (Bigger laugh.)
Swindle did thank his sponsors, like Toyota, Triton and Mercury, for keeping him on the go and sticking with him. Then he asked all the sponsors of B.A.S.S. in the ballroom at the Hilton Americas-Houston to stand up for a round of applause.
Going back to his humble beginnings, Swindle told of how he slept in his truck next to another rookie, Skeet Reese — who was in his vehicle, of course, he had to point out.
“We put our money together and split a No. 1 Happy Meal — we were poor,” said Swindle, this time transitioning from funny to serious. “But passion is why everybody is sitting in this room tonight. The love of bass fishing. That’s why I do this … If I go home, and you take away all the sponsors, guess where I’ll be tomorrow — on the water fishing, because I love it.”
Swindle compared his love to Charlie Hartley, who was in the crowd and will be fishing his second Classic this week. He’s known as most enthusiastic tournament angler on the planet.
“This guy fishes so hard and so fast, he cuts himself off three times in every tournament,” Swindle quipped. “He’s the only guy I’ve ever seen who throws a Senko and washes his boat at the same tournament.”
The G-Man’s comedy calvalcade continued. He went a full 13 minutes, but that seemed to pass quickly.
“I thought about what I would say about last year, and I know people get up here and say, ‘Guys, I’m going make it quick,’ but I’ll tell ya’ll I’m not,” he said. “I’ve waited 12 years to get back up here. You can lean back and pour some drinks. I might be here awhile. (Kevin) VanDam’s the only one who gets tired of making this speech, not me.”
Last year could be summed up as playing small ball, Swindle said. He drew an analogy from his baseball days: “Small ball” is where the team racks up walks, singles and a few doubles to score. No home runs. Swindle didn’t win an event in the 2016 Elite season, but he finished in the Top 12 six times. His lowest finish was 34th, and his average finish in the eight regular season events was 14.5.
The big finish was somewhat emotional for Swindle as he credited his wife, LeAnn, for being his rock. She’s known for being the CEO of Gerald Swindle Fishing Inc., as well as sending inspirational messages on his sandwich bags that he will save and read several times out on the water.
“My wife believes in me unconditionally every day,” he said. “She knew last year that my leg was hurting, that I wasn’t catching them … but every day my coach stood up and said ‘I believe in you.’”
Swindle put off knee surgery until after he wrapped up his second AOY, which made him the 11th angler with more than one title. The Swindles had a major health scare and lengthy hospital stay when his leg swelled, requiring an emergency fasciotomy surgery. He could have lost his leg and possibly his life. But Swindle has healed and is ready to compete in his 16th Classic.
His big finish was simply stating what he’s done, or what anybody can do to chase their dream and find success.
“If you believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people and have faith in God,” he said. “I stand here for the second time. I’m truly blessed. Thank you B.A.S.S. for giving me the stage to perform.”