Greg Gutierrez Quits The Elites
*Photo credited: ESPN/BASS
In the wake of some bad news, BASS Elite Series Pro / Firefighter Greg Gutierrez is doing exactly what he vowed to do in front of God and family 21 years ago. That is take care of his wife in sickness and in health.
Greg and his family recently received some bad news that doctors had found two bumps (tumors) on his wife Bobbie’s left and right lung. While it is unknown if the bumps are malignant or not, the Gutierrez family is taking the matter very seriously. Bobbie is already a multiple-time cancer survivor.
Greg said, ”We’ve weighed our options and the tumor must come out. They’ll also inspect the lymph nodes while they’re in there”.
GettingReel.com along with all of your fans and the entire fishing community will have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Good Luck and we hope to see you again.
Here is a letter that Greg sent to BASS:
For the past several years I have maintained my position as a fire captain with Cal Fire while I competed on the Bassmaster Elite Tour, and believe me, balancing the busy schedule has been very challenging. I maintained that schedule for several reasons, one reason was to live the dream that so many working men and women have dreamed, “to be a Bassmaster pro.”
I have competed on several tournament circuits over the years and feel I have reached the pinnacle of bass fishing by competing with such a professional organization such as BASS, and against some of the best anglers in the world. My family has grown with and has become part of the BASS family.
It is with great sadness that I must issue this release to my fishing family.
My wife Bobbie of 21 years was recently diagnosed with two masses in her lungs – one on the left and one on the right. We don’t know what they are but with her history as a longtime cancer survivor, we are being very aggressive with this. We are unsure at this time if the surgery will be followed with other known cancer treatments.
I am Bobbie’s only caregiver and she will need me to be there for her, as she has always been by my side for my fishing. With the upcoming surgery and recovery time in the hospital and at home, and with the medical hardship this will cause. I see no possible way to continue competing on the BASS Elite Tour and provide the care she needs.
Stepping down from finishing the tour brings about several additional complications, and my only hope is BASS will recognize my need to care for Bobbie’s medical needs are necessary and unavoidable, and hopefully BASS will allow me to qualify for a medical exemption and allow me to return back to the Elite Tour at a later date.
I know I have made promises and signed contractual obligations to meet, but I don’t know if I will be able to meet those expectations right now. Maybe I can participate in some type of event to generate some positive press for BASS and my sponsors.
I’m sorry I can’t continue the Tour, but 21 years ago I made a promise to Bobbie in front of God, my family and friends, that in sickness and in health I would care for her and be there for her, I intend to keep that promise.
I’ll try to keep you informed. Hug your family and keep us in your prayers.
Greg, Bobbie and Gregory Gutierrez
Greg will be leaving the Series currently 67th in the AOY standings. The rest of his BASS stats are as follows:
Career Earnings - $224,457
Classic Apperances - 2
Wins - 1 , Top 10’s - 4 , Top 50’s - 26
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POSTED IN: BASS, BASS Elite Series, Miscellaneous
1 opinion for Greg Gutierrez Quits The Elites
Tim
May 31, 2008 at 8:52 pm
You’ve gotta have a ton of respect for this dude and the decision that he made. I always think that it’s pretty cool whenever professional athletes shove their own personal agendas to the side in favor of taking care of and supporting their families.
Best of luck to Greg and his family!
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