Two Austin, Texas organizations, one a good-hearted fishing club and the other a professional soccer team, find a way to coexist in the latest YETI Presents video.
As legend has it, it was two decades ago when the Austin FC first made its first appearance. That's the Austin Fishing Club, founded by internationally-accomplished fly fisherman Steve "Zuma" Eckelman.
But if that name sounds familiar, that's because it's now the moniker for Austin FC, the newest Major League Soccer team, playing out its inaugural season in 2021 and selling out their jam-packed Q2 Stadium for each home game.
Now that the professional sports club has staked claim, Zuma is embracing the opportunity and setting forth on a journey of enlightened collaboration.
He's joined by Austin FC's Ben Sweat, as well as Texas fishing guide and outspoken community advocate JT Van Zandt, for a day out on the jon boat casting at bass and hoping for the best. It's the kind of fishing trip you've probably taken a thousand times, but also a very important connection being made between the fishing community and its local soccer team.
Here's the video, and the coming together of two formidable forces.
We're lucky YETI, who happens to be the main Austin FC kit sponsor, was able to capture what appears to be just the beginning of an episodic series. We'll be waiting for the next video's release if that's the case.
I have to say, my favorite part is the insight into the headspace of Eckelman, and the trailing off technique he employs with most of his big life questions.
"I wonder what it feels like to be sold as a soccer player...? It's kind of a strange...?"
Yeah, it is, isn't it?
Like with most YETI Presents videos, this one makes you smile, makes you think, and ultimately makes you want to get out on the water yourself for some of that crucial outdoor therapy.
And even if you don't catch a fish and get skunked like Ben, you can still focus on the right sort of things.
Van Zandt, as he usually does, puts it pretty nicely towards the end: "It's important to have a good time. And fishing is part of that, but it's not the whole picture."
NEXT: YETI LOADOUT GOBOX, 5-GALLON BUCKET BELONG IN EVERY HUNTER'S TRUCK
