Young Zackery King and his heroes from the "Duck Dynasty" TV show took a knee Monday, but it had nothing to do with the National Anthem.
King, who is from North Carolina, was meeting the stars of his favorite show through the Kids Wish Network and they all took a knee to pray for King's healing.
"We unashamedly pray for Zack," Duck Commander patriarch Phil Robertson said while leading the prayer. "We ask you go over and beyond what doctors can do and pray to heal his body."
King, who suffers from two life-threatening diseases involving his skull and joints, joined the stars at their Duck Commander headquarters in West Monroe and later at Willie Roberton's Duck Diner restaurant for lunch.Roberton's Duck Diner restaurant for lunch.
He said one of the reason he loves the show, which is now in reruns, is because of its unashamedly Christian perspective.
"I love the way they kept the Lord in the show," said King,12, noting each episode ends with a prayer at the dinner table. "And I love everything about hunting and fishing."
But most of all, King said, "it makes me laugh."
King said he regrets the show was canceled, but often binge watches the reruns. "He's seen every episode more than once," his mother Heather King said.
He can quote lines and episodes on cue, mentioning the "Battle of the Brothers" show when Jase Robertson goes camping in a tent and brother Willie Robertson brings a lavish camper.
"Jase got ate up with mosquitoes," said King, laughing.
The Robertsons seemed to have almost as much fun with King.
"When we see kids like Zack you start seeing what's really important in life," Willie Robertson said. "Laughter is always great medicine."
Phil Robertson said it's impossible not to be moved by ill children.
"They're the young and innocent and sick and because of that we offer our prayers to God and believe strongly he'll rescue them," Phil Robertson said. "We've seen God heal before."
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1
