Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers thanked current and former teammates and coaches in an Instagram message posted amid speculation about the reigning NFL MVP’s future. But before we delve deeper into the legacy of Aaron Rodgers, let us know more about this icon of an athlete.
But who is Aaron Rodgers?
Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Rodgers began his college football career at Butte College in 2002 before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley to play for the California Golden Bears, where he set several career passing records, including lowest single-season and career interception rates. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers.
After backing up Brett Favre for the first three years of his NFL career, Rodgers became the Packers’ starting quarterback in 2008. In 2010, he led them to a victory in Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning the Super Bowl MVP. He was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011 and was voted league MVP by the Associated Press for the 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021 NFL seasons. Rodgers is the fifth player to win NFL MVP in consecutive seasons, joining Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Joe Montana, and Jim Brown.
Leaving a Legacy
Rodgers said after the season that he would try to decide about his 2022 plans in relatively short order rather than dragging out the process. The four-time MVP said at the time that he has not ruled out any option, including returning to the Packers for an 18th season, retiring or requesting a trade.
In the Instagram post Monday night, Rodgers thanked Packers coach Matt LaFleur and reserve quarterbacks Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert as well as former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and quarterback coach Luke Getsy. “You guys made every day so much fun and I’m so thankful for the daily laughs and stress relief you brought me every week of the year,” Rodgers said. “I love you guys.”
Hackett has left the Packers to become the Denver Broncos’ head coach. Getsy also departed to become the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator.
The list of people Rodgers also thanked by name also included Packer’s teammates Randall Cobb and David Bakhtiari. “To my teammates, past and current, you are the icing on the beautiful cake we call our job: football,” Rodgers said. “The friendships that we have will transcend our collective time in this game and I am so thankful for the role that each of you have played in making my life that much better. I love you guys and cherish the memories we’ve made.”
The post was accompanied by various pictures of Rodgers on and off the field. Another picture included the quote, “Gratitude is the wine for the soul. Go on. Get drunk.”
Rodgers won his second straight MVP award less than two weeks ago. The Packers went 13-4 in the regular season and won a third straight NFC North title before losing 13-10 at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs.
