Ott DeFoe Earns More Than Rookie of the Year Title

by kelli berry

Well, don’t say I didn’t tell you so! Weeks ago I predicted that 25-year old Tennessee native, Ott DeFoe would have a memorable Father’s Day—his gift (among others) would be the title of Rookie of the Year.

It turns out that his R.O.Y. award was a good present for Father’s Day, but the best gift of all was having his family there to cheer him on. His wife, Jennie, had delivered twins, Elizabeth and Parker, only a few weeks before the start of the Dixie Duel and not having been home since June 6^th, I could only imagine how Ott must have been itching to get off the stage and get his arms around his wife and children.

As the trophy was presented, I felt a little too much pride; after all, HE did all the work, I just recognized a good man when I met him. His fishing ability and impressive stats speak for themselves.

As Ott was talking with Dave Mercer on stage, I glanced over and saw his 4-year old daughter, Abbie, looking up at the stage and couldn’t help but feel a heartstring tugging.

Weeks ago I had spoken with Jennie on the phone, and Drew and I have gotten to know Ott over the last few tournaments, so I knew all about Abbie. When I saw this beautiful little girl looking up at her daddy, I remembered what Jennie had told me when I asked about their daughter, “She’s definitely Daddy’s girl.”

I watched the way Abbie stood in front of that large crowd, her back to it, not noticing the scurry of activity around her. The way she stood staring up at the man on stage, seeing, not a famous man from TV, not an award winning fisherman, not the future of bass fishing, but just seeing Daddy.

DeFoe not only finished first in the amazing rookie class, he finished fourth in overall points which earned him a trip to Toyota All-star week. He said at the beginning of the season his goals included: making a Top 12, winning Rookie of the Year, qualifying for the Classic, earning a spot in the postseason, and winning an Elite tournament.

I don’t like to brag (ok sometimes I do), but I was there for all the goals he achieved (Ott take note, it just may be that I am your lucky charm):

Top 12: check—Pride of Georgia at West Point and Dixie Duel at Wheeler.

Winning Rookie of the Year: check—awarded at the Dixie Duel.

Qualifying for the Classic: check—confirmed at Dixie Duel (Ott double qualified).

Earning a spot in the postseason: check— announced at the Dixie Duel.

“Winning (an event) is the only one of my goals I didn’t make this season,” he said. “But I think winning in your rookie year is asking quite a bit.”