Bass pro Michael Iaconelli fulfills ailing girl's wish, and then some
3:21 PM, May 26, 2009


Michael Iaconelli, one of the world's top pro bass anglers and a former Bassmaster Classic champion, recently complied with a terminally ill girl's simple request to chat with him.

Katie Shockley, 10, is from Shreveport, La., so it's understandable that she's a fan of tournament bass fishing. And Iaconelli (pictured), a five-time BASS tournament winner, is personable and down-to-earth. Of course he complied.

As they gabbed he learned she was a fan of country music (of course) and particularly enjoyed listening to Kenny Chesney, who was scheduled to perform a few days later in Shreveport. You guessed it: Iaconelli phoned Chesney, who subsequently invited the girl and her family to the concert, and even sent a car for them.

“I’m sure he didn't do that to gain any recognition,” said Mary Ann Tice, executive director of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “But with his phone call and with his contacting Kenny Chesney, he sure made one little girl very, very happy.”

Tice had been contacted by the Louisiana State Police’s Grant-A-Wish program, and helped arrange the meeting between Shockley and Iaconelli, through BASS.

Outposts commends Ike for his actions and expresses sincere well wishes toward Shockley.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Mike Iaconelli. Credit: Courtesy of ESPN Communications.

And this guy is hated on!!