Mountain Man From 'Duck Dynasty' Surprises Cancer Survivor at Montgomery Biscuits Game

By Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, June 03, 2014

A breast cancer survivor from Montgomery, Ala., recently experienced a dream come true when she was able to spend time with Mountain Man from A&E's "Duck Dynasty" and watch a baseball game featuring the Montgomery Biscuits, a minor league team.

Lydia Thigpin, a survivor of breast cancer, had entered the Montgomery Biscuits' "Beards for Baseball" photo contest ahead of the team's Saturday game against the Mississippi Braves in Montgomery, Ala.

The purpose of the contest was to enter a photo showing each contestant's most outrageous beard. The two top winners from the photo contest had the opportunity to meet the slow-talking Mountain Man from "Duck Dynasty" at Saturday's game, and watch the sporting event from inside the Owner's Suite at Riverwalk Stadium.

Thigpin entered the photo contest via Facebook, posting an elaborate photo of herself decked out in camouflage and surrounded by Duck Commander merchandise, including deer and duck decoys and a camouflage-printed hunting rifle. In the photo, Thigpin also wore a fake, long beard, a bandana and sunglasses, resembling one of the show's main cast members Willie Robertson, who runs the Duck Commander duck call business.

Although Thigpin had won the contest, she was not told until moments before Saturday's game, as her family had conspired with the Montgomery Biscuits to make her experience a memorable one.

Photos posted by al.com show Thigpin meeting Mountain Man, also known as Tim Guraedy, a neighbor to the Robertsons who is known on the show for his slow-talking, laid-back demeanor. At Saturday's game, Mountain Man also posed for photos with Montgomery Biscuits fans, as well as signed autographs.

Cast members of "Duck Dynasty" have previously collaborated with charitable organizations to grant wishes for those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses. In February, the "Duck Dynasty" crew collaborated with the Make-A-Wish foundation to grant the request of 10-year-old Zoe Kerley, who had been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and given only 5 years to live.

Kerley arrived at her home in Maynard, Ark., to find her room decorated in orange, green and camo accents, including posters, camo and "Duck Commander" merchandise.She was also given an audio-recorded greeting from Martin, one of the cast members of "Duck Dynasty" who works in the Duck Commander warehouse.