All Green Bay Packers All The Time – NFL Football

Cory’s Corner: Through jabs, we see Aaron Rodgers’ true colors

Posted on by Cory Jennerjohn

It’s pretty apparent that Aaron Rodgers not only likes hoops, but more specifically — the Wisconsin Badgers.

I have no problem with that one bit. Yes, he may have thrown touchdown passes for Cal, but he has been ingrained in the sausage and cheese tradition since getting drafted 24th overall in 2005.

And then the bomb was dropped. CBSsports.com senior college football columnist Dennis Dodd decided to tarnish the Badgers win that propelled them into their second straight Final Four appearance.

Like most people nowadays, Dodd used Twitter as his personal psychologist’s couch. He wrote that Rodgers shouldn’t have been on the floor following the win and that the two-time MVP quarterback should’ve also made time for an irritable writer.

And even if Rodgers did take the time for an interview, it wasn’t like he was going to reveal when the Packers were going to wear their throwbacks this season. And Dodd would’ve have made it a small paragraph buried at the bottom — so Rodgers did both parties a favor.

The fact that Rodgers said no was great and really speaks to who he really is. If it was a ho-hum regular season game in the doldrums of January, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But this was the Badgers’ time. There are only four men’s basketball teams still alive because they shot 79 percent in the second half vs. Arizona.

Rodgers didn’t do anything other than cheer for his adopted hometown team. And his response to Dodd later on was priceless. Thirty-one may be old in the world of the NFL, but Rodgers proved he has plenty of time to put people in their place.

So if by chance you’re not a fan of Rodgers’ precision, intelligence and competitiveness while somehow maintaining the underdog spirit then you may have a new reason to like No. 12.

He’s loyal. He’s been friends with Badgers’ forward Sam Dekker for a few years now and he didn’t put his stardom over friendship. He easily could’ve, but with actress Olivia Munn confidently by his side, he was perfectly fine to sit in the backseat and let others enjoy the ride.

That’s not easy for a lot of people to do. Remember, this is a quarterback – the most important position in all of sports. When the team is struggling or playing amazing, he is the de facto mouthpiece of the team. It was Rodgers that took questions following the Bills loss in upstate New York and it was Rodgers that gutted out answers following the NFC Championship collapse in Seattle.

He’s used to being in control because he has to be. A Packers team without Rodgers in control is a team that isn’t converting third downs, isn’t scoring touchdowns and most importantly isn’t winning.

So appreciate Rodgers’ humbleness. Superior athletes aren’t used to deflecting the spotlight, because it’s usually glowing extra bright on them.

It may have taken a few cheap shots by Dodd to bring out Rodgers’ character, but Rodgers proved that he’s a much better person than the player you see zipping touchdowns, giving scripted high-fives and debating with coach Mike McCarthy each fall.

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is from Wisconsin and has been in sports media for over 10 years. To contact Cory e-mail him at jeobs -at- yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: Cory Jennerjohn

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17 thoughts on “Cory’s Corner: Through jabs, we see Aaron Rodgers’ true colors”

  1. A week later and you feel a need to attempt to resurrect an incident so mundane from a vast majority view point,makes as much sense and holds as much water in regards to value,as the Dodd original as to journalism…..This is exactly what Rodgers doesn’t want now (game today) or then,to be the focal point and take away from the kids trying to win a Championship……Know when to let things go Dennis Dodd..sorry,I mean Cory Jennerjohn 🙂

    2. Taryn, you need to let go of the past yourself. I think it’s clear why you are attacking Cory and it has nothing to do with this article but more like a past one. You know which one too. Drop it already.
      Ted

      1. I treat each article separate from another.I have no ill feeling toward Cory or vendetta…I like his writing,but I don’t have to agree with the content as like this one.Sure,we find ourselves on opposites sides but it’s not via a ‘just because’ it’s Cory.I believe Cory knows this and have made clear I do not harbor any ill will.Perhaps you read to much into this more than Cory does or may. 🙂

  2. If anything, this was a rare glimpse into Rodgers’ attitude. It’s a side of him we don’t see at press conferences following games or hear about on the radio. When Greg Jennings made his comments, Rodgers resisted ripping into him publicly. Rodgers was pretty poised after the Fail Mary and the Battle at Seattle (NFC Title Fiasco). Anyone else could have been much more emotional and just lost it in a press conference, but he didn’t. He was upset, but professional about it.

    Falling to the Packers in the draft (and being doubted every step of the way in college) has molded and shaped his character. This includes a chip on his shoulder that motivates him. A lot of people took shots at him for not being strong enough, or accurate enough, or good enough. Now he gets to take some shots back and there’s nothing wrong with that.

    He would never say things like this in front of the camera after a Packers game, but rightfully put this bozo from CBS in his place.

    Personally, I wish NFL players avoided or didn’t have Twitter or social media altogether. It’s a huge distraction. Twitter trolls are a waste of time. I’m glad Rodgers doesn’t run his mouth during football season. He lets his play do the talking. That speaks louder than anything we’ll ever see on Twitter.

    1. This is to my point in regard to the article….you have now placed the spotlight on ‘Rodgers’ and how he handled this and that and not one mention about the Badgers exploits which is exactly why Rodgers didn’t talk to Dodd and called him on his twitter ploy against him. 🙂

      1. Unfortunately as long as celebrities are near major sporting events, some of the spotlight will always go to them if/when stuff happens. I thought Rodgers handled it well. He declined to be interviewed and keep the focus on the Badgers. While I didn’t mention the Badgers, it’s mainly because 1) I’m desperate for football-related news in the off-season and 2) I’m a big fan of a guy who’s been doubted by a lot of people and finally answered back.

        1. ” 2) I’m a big fan of a guy who’s been doubted by a lot of people and finally answered back.”

          Many in the media during the CBA lockout,criticized Rodgers for not holding workouts ala Brees etc.When the season started with success Rodgers got his dig in..’Guess we should have held off season workouts’..to that effect.Again and not too long ago,he uttered the ‘sshhh’ to the media.Answering back doesn’t need to be flamboyant when subtle reigns supreme and can easily make it’s case and move on.

          My comment about the article wasn’t about Rodgers speaking up/out or not.But rather how the writer waited until today when the Badgers take the court to bring/attempt to life again an issue that is of no merit and does nothing more than give attention to a Do Do like Dodd at the expense of the Badgers and placing Rodgers to the forefront of something he can’t be bothered about.This article would have been better had it been posted in a day or so but not an entire week later.

          Enjoy the games if you partake. 🙂

  6. ummmm,,,,,, who cares really if what when why drama drama drama, Rodgers deflects drama in very sultle ways…intellect is very evident.so happy we have him

    1. Rodgers is supposed to be on Celebrity Jeopardy. Anyone know the time? That should be fun to watch.
      Ted

  7. At this point, I admire everything about Rodgers– his intelligence, his humor, his choice in girlfriends. He’s also a pretty good QB….

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