'Duck Dynasty' Stars Biggest Sponsor Pledges Support Under Armour Won't Cut Ties
The guys from "Duck Dynasty" are NOT in danger of losing their biggest sponsor, Under Armour -- 'cause while the company tells TMZ its not down with Phil Roberston's homophobic comments, its not willing to kill the business relationship ... yet.
UA -- which sponsors the Duck Commander business, founded by Phil -- just issued a statement to TMZ ... saying, "We have no plans to change our current relationship.
The company adds, "We are obviously aware of the situation. And his comments are not indicative of Under Armour's views."
UA insists the company is committed to treating all people equally and with respect ... even if Phil isn't.
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Sponsor We Stand Behind Phil
If "Duck Dynasty" network A&E feared advertisers would scatter like waterfowl after a shotgun blast because of Phil Robertson's anti-gay comments ... it's not happening.
A company called Skyjacker -- which builds truck suspensions -- tells us it stands solidly behind Phil and the show ... saying it's a matter of God and country -- it's a free country and Phil has a right to his opinions.
Company brass tells us it goes beyond the Constitution ... to the Creator: "We are a Christian- based company and actively share our faith so standing with Phil Robertson is an easy choice for us."
Robertson opened up a can of worms when he said homosexuality and bestiality were the same sin ... his church seems to back Phil up on that.
Officials at White's Ferry Road Church just told us, "We love him and support him."
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Fans BRING BACK PHIL A&E's Denying Him Freedom of Speech
Thousands of "Duck Dynasty" fans are on a mission to end Phil Robertson's network suspension over his anti-gay comments -- 'cause they say A&E is denying him his human rights.
Over 35 THOUSAND people have signed a petition -- which fired up yesterday on Change.org -- demanding A&E end the suspension.
Even worse for the network ... it's being ROASTED on social media by DD fans -- hundreds of people are accusing A&E of not allowing Phil Robertson his basic right to freedom of speech.
One fan put the network on blast saying, "As a gay male, is what he said wrong and not educated about how gay people really are? Yes it was. Does he have the right to speak on what he thinks YES HE DOES!"
The fan adds, "Was I offended NO I WASN'T he is a smart man and could learn the truth about things he has no idea about. He's old school you can't hate on him for his beliefs DO NOT GET RID OF PHIL ON THIS SHOW! KEEP HIM!! I will no longer watch if he's gone!!!"
So, we gotta ask ...
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Star Suspended Indefinitely Over Homophobic Comments
"Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson has been SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY by A&E after a series of homophobic comments he made in a recent GQ interview.
A rep for A&E released a statement, saying, "We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series 'Duck Dynasty.'"
The rep added, "His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community."
A&E has suspended him indefinitely from the show. The rest of the "Duck Dynasty" family is expected to remain on the show.
As we reported, Phil told GQ about how a vagina is more desirable than a man's anus, and how homosexuality and bestiality are the same sin.
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Star Anus vs. Vagina ... It's Not Even Close
"Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson ruffled a lot of feathers by proclaiming men should focus on lady genitals ... and avoid male a-holes.
Female anuses, fear not -- seems ya might still be in play!
More TMZ TV
Phil from 'Duck Dynasty' Rips Homosexuals ... Man Ass Can't Compare to Vagina
4:55 PM PT -- A&E just dropped the hammer on Phil ... putting him on indefinite hiatus. The network says its disappointed by his anti-gay comments -- which are his own personal beliefs and not reflective of "Duck Dynasty" or the network. A&E says it supports the LGBT community.
8:15 AM PT -- Phil's trying to backpedal by releasing a statement through A&E in which he says, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."
But he's still doing some thumping ... adding that the Bible teaches "women and men are meant to be together."
"Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is blasting gays ... and not in the usual Bible-thumping way -- instead he's going off about the benefits of vagina as compared to a man's a**hole.
Robertson went on a rant about religion, homosexuality, and a bunch of other things in an interview with GQ -- saying, "It seems like to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me."
He adds, "There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on dudes! But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man."
Phil continued his verbal attack by claiming society's become too accepting of sin. He says, "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and those men ... they won't inherit the kingdom of God. It's not right."
So, we gotta ask ...
Gay 'Storage Wars' Stars 'Duck Dynasty' Hater Is MISSING OUT On Man Ass
An openly gay couple on A&E's "Storage Wars: New York" is NOT offended by the homophobic comments made by fellow A&E'er and "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson -- telling TMZ, they just feel bad for him ... because man ass beats vagina any day of the week.
Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton tell us, "We could give a s**t what he thinks ... [man ass] is tighter."
As we reported, Phil talked about how a vagina is more desirable than a man's anus, and how homosexuality and bestiality are the same sin.
But Chris and Tad aren't fazed, telling us, "You can't go through life worrying what other people think. That's their values and that's what they think ... as long as they're not nasty to people ... We're not offended at all."
In fact, Chris and Tad say they're still big fans of Phil: "We like Phil. We like the show. We like the fact that they are very godly. When we watch the show and see them say grace, we feel the same way."
As for Phil's belief that gay people won't go to heaven ... Chris and Tad say simply, "How does [Phil] know that? Is he God?"
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Stars Answering the Call... Of the Lord
Winged animals don't stand a chance ... because the boys from "Duck Dynasty" have the Lord on their side ... they're not afraid to yell it from the pulpit.
And the church said ... QUACK, QUACK!!
More TMZ TV
'Duck Dynasty' Stars Preaching in Church We're Hunting for Salvation
Here's something you probably didn't know: the stars of "Duck Dynasty" are hardcore Christian evangelists who frequently preach at their local church ... and TMZ has video of some of last weekend's sermons.
A ministry assistant at White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, LA tells TMZ, Phil Robertson and his family have been active at the church for more than 30 years.
We're told Phil regularly gives fiery sermons -- but last weekend, the entire family joined in, when the church celebrated Duck Commander Sunday ... a yearly tradition where the entire Robertson family preaches to the congregation in full camo (not kidding).
Funny... we're told the Duck Commander Sunday tradition existed long before the A&E reality show.
You gotta listen to the video ... these guys are intense.
See also
'Duck Dynasty' Migrating to White House Correspondents' Dinner
"Duck Dynasty" stars Korie Robertson and Willie Robertson just alighted on the swamps of Washington, D.C. ... for an appearance at the White House Corresopndents' Dinner!
Just don't tell Tom Brokaw -- as we previously reported, the legendary newsman is boycotting the event after Lindsay Lohan made an appearance last year ... and that was the LAST STRAW.
But that doesn't faze the Robertsons ... they say they're going to raise the bar ... and they've got something LiLo doesn't ...
When you hear what it is ... you'll hope they're right.