Alex Debogorski. Do you know the name? He’s a star of a hit show, baby. Not exactly your everyday kind of star though. No chiseled chin. No catchphrase except the “Our Father.” No membership in clubs outside of the Knights of Columbus. And definitely no plastic surgery.
He’s a gentle giant who makes a living three months a year in one of the most dangerous jobs on Earth. He drives his massive truck hundreds of miles over roads made of snow and ice in temperatures that can reach -50 degrees Fahrenheit. But he does it on The History Channel. And he’s Roman Catholic and not exactly shy about it.
Self described as a juvenile delinquent, Alex is now the proud father of 11 children and 7 grandchildren and a lay prison minister .
I first stumbled on the show as I was clicking around and stopped because I was honestly shocked when I saw a man driving his truck over ice in near “whiteout” conditions while saying the “Our Father.”
This same man, Alex, said to a rather silly and rebellious middle aged fellow truck driver with a Mohawk-ish haircut that if he hadn’t been using his private parts for playthings he’d be a grandfather already.
It was delightfully counter cultural. And I was hooked.
One episode highlighted the beautiful aurora Borealis and Alex said to the room of truckers that it reminded him of God and some of the other guys laughed at him. Alex simply smiled.
It’s interesting to see Catholicism put in a positive light on television by a hardworking family man. For once, a reality show has hit closer to…well…reality.
July 1, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Now, that’s encouraging! Lord, bless him and the good witness he lives.
Bob Hunt
July 1, 2008 at 2:39 pm
What show is it?
And, did Fr. Neuhaus really say that? That’s awesome.
Also, the way you put the little banner thing with Fr. Neuhaus’ quote is very cool.
July 1, 2008 at 3:54 pm
And the name of the show is….?
July 1, 2008 at 4:01 pm
The name of the show is, I believe, “Ice Road Truckers” on the History Channel around 8 or 9 pm Eastern time. I’ve seen the show several times courtesy of my sons who watch it. I’ve seen Alex several times and never knew that he was Catholic. I was suspicious when he mentioned eleven children but you never know anymore. Jeff Rawlings
July 1, 2008 at 4:05 pm
During the first season of Ice Road Truckers, I talked to my mom and it turned out me, my two brothers, my dad and two of my three brothers in law were all watching! (Peas of the same pod.)
Especially early on, there was more explicit mention of his Catholicity, and it still comes out from time to time, but it is more on the back burner now.
July 1, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Greta post. I love Ice Road truckers!!!
July 3, 2008 at 2:58 am
I am very glad to hear a good review of this show. I am going to TiVo it. 😉
July 15, 2008 at 5:27 am
This man is my hero. As I get older I realize more and more what a temper I have. How foolish I am to worry about such petty things.
Watching Alex is like watching Saint Joseph. The man never complains, never whines, never wavers in his faith nor lose his temper. He’s really inspired me. Here he has 11 children and has given up his entire life for the without reservation. The man is a prison minister and doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. We as Catholics must not look at the mainstream media for proof of sainthood… just look around you at the truck drivers, the soldiers, the mothers and fathers who follow their hearts toward Christ no matter what popular “culture” says to do. Saints are all around you, find one, learn from one, be one.
Another man who reminds me of Alex was Father Kevin Peek of Blesed Trinity High School in Roswell Georgia. The man was our school’s chaplain for 4 years before he felt God calling him to serve as a chaplain in the US Army. Over the years we became close and I miss him every day. He too was a saint. God bless and protect all of you. We will NOT forget what you teach us.
August 18, 2008 at 3:55 pm
While I am not Catholic (actually, I’m a Methodist), I do admire Alex’s unwaivering Christian faith.
In fact, we talked about it on my “roadgeek talkshow” and I invite you to listen to it at the following URL…
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/georgiaroadgeek
August 13, 2010 at 11:32 pm
In the last episode of ice road truckers Alex was praying the "Our Father", but continued with the protestant version. Why didn't he pray the Catholic version?