Rafters to host 'Duck Dynasty' star John Godwin

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – There's no denying John Godwin comes from Louisiana.

Godwin, 51, part of the cast of "Duck Dynasty," is looking forward to returning to Wisconsin — he visited Oshkosh several times years ago for Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festivals. Godwin will be the featured guest when the Rafters take on the Kenosha Kingfish at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Witter Field.

"It's always nice there; the weather's a bit cooler," said Godwin, his Louisiana accent unmistakable during a phone interview Thursday.

Godwin is one of a handful of stars the Rafters have hosted through the years, including former Milwaukee Brewers player Paul Molitor, Ken Osmond, who played Eddie Haskell on "Leave it to Beaver," and James Best — Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on "Dukes of Hazzard."

"It looks like this is shaping up to be the biggest day of the year for us," said John Fanta, general manager for the collegiate team. "I think just because it is such a popular show; they kind of capture the younger age to the older age."

When Godwin heard the temperature was a "cool" 75 degrees, he commented: "I better get me some long-legged britches."

His favorite thing to hunt is ducks, but he also likes to fish, especially for crappies.

"We call them white perch down here," he said.

Godwin started working for Duck Command in 2002; 10 years later, the business was approached to do "Duck Dynasty," which will start filming its seventh season later this month.

"We didn't really know what to think," he said.

Duck Command already was featured on The Outdoor Channel, but the focus was on hunting.

"We agreed to do it, and everybody was excited," he said.

It isn't all play and no work, Godwin said, though in the early years of Duck Commander, founded in 1972, things weren't very structured.

"If you wanted to go fishin', you went fishin'," Godwin said.

The show has changed some of that, but that's OK, he said.

"I guess it's a blessing, because we are busy," he said. "It's a blessing we can hire more people and give other people a chance to have jobs, too."

Of course, television doesn't show everything, he said.

"We do a little more than what they portray on the show," he said. "It's just us being us."

While the employees were used to cameras because of the hunting videos they made, it was a little different because there now were about 50 television crew members. Godwin has learned a bit along the way.

"I definitely watch movies a little different now," he said.

Godwin said he enjoys the treks he takes to different parts of the country for appearances, especially since he can bring his wife, Paula, whom he married in 1989. After working the swing swift for 21 years at International Paper Mill, he said it's almost like dating again.

The most common questions he gets are: "Where's Si?" and "Is he really that crazy?"

"I always tell them, 'Wherever he's at, he's asleep, and yes, he really is that crazy.'"

As long as the fans watch the show, it will continue, said Godwin, who plans to retire with Duck Commander.

"When they quit watchin', we'll go back to building duck calls and thank people for the blessing we had for a little while."

And while fans will get autographs from Godwin, there is one thing Godwin wants to get while here — cheese curds.

"I'm fixin' to get them when I get up there," he said.

Deb Cleworth can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext. 6730, or deb.cleworth@cwnews.net. Follow her on Twitter @DebCleworth.

If you go

• Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln St. Game time is 6:05 p.m.

• The ticket office will be open from 9 a.m. through sixth inning Friday (The Rafters play Kenosha at 3:05 p.m. Friday) and from 10:30 a.m. through the sixth inning Saturday. Tickets still are available for the Saturday game. www.raftersbaseball.com or by calling the box office at 715-424-5400.

• John Godwin will sign autographs from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Godwin will throw out a first pitch prior to the Rafters game against the Kenosha Kingfish.

• Go to www.northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-rapids-rafters.

About John Godwin

• John Godwin is only one of two cast members on "Duck Dynasty" not a member of the Robertson family.

• He and his wife, Paula, married in 1989. They have one daughter, Johanna (Joey) who attends Louisiana University, where her parents met.

• For more on Godwin and "Duck Dynasty," go to www.duckdynastytv.com