By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

Like most doting grandparents, Francis "Red" and Mary Ann Walters have a framed picture of their grandson on display. What's more unusual is the nearly life-sized cardboard cutout of Aaron Walters displayed across the room.

"We keep him in the living room," Mary Ann Walters said with a chuckle.

Waltershas been the face of Bud Light commercials this football season.

The ad campaign features Walters, a native of Emporia, as Jimmy Football, a salesman promoting "tailgate approved" inventions.

Football fans Red and Mary Ann Walters, Hays, have been watching more television than usual this season, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite commercial star.

"We're very proud of him," Red Walters said. "I think he'll go places."

The cutout was a Christmas gift from another of their grandchildren -- they have 15 between the two of them. The couple married 11 years ago after both were widowed, and have four surviving children.

Aaron Walters' father, Francis, died of cancer five years ago Saturday, said Hays resident Celina Beilman, who is one of Red Walters' two daughters.

"My brother would have had such a swelled head, it would be bursting," Beilman said of her brother. "This would have been just right up his alley; something he would have wanted to see his son do."

Red and Mary Ann Walters communicate frequently with their children and grandchildren, including Aaron, who resides in Chicago.

The family is large, and full of support, which is something Red and Mary Ann are counting on.

"In fact, I got those roses today from all of them," Mary Ann said on Wednesday, gesturing to the kitchen table. "I'm going to have a cancer operation on my lung."

"But they said it's treatable," Red said.

"So I'm having faith that it is," she agreed.

And watching their grandson on television definitely has given the couple something to smile about. They'll be tuning in to Super Bowl XLIV this afternoon, and paying close attention to the commercials.

"It's very exciting, isn't it?" Mary Ann said.

"Only I don't drink Bud Light," Red Walters said. "I drink Budweiser."