Aaron Rodgers Wasn’t Always The Man We See Today

From being a normal college kid who studied hard, didn’t care about being the big man on campus, and left dishes in the sink, to NFL hero and inspiring human being. 

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Aaron Rogers had just played the worst game of his football career. Crying his eyes out in his dorm room the whole night, his dorm room teammates tried to console him after being humiliated and humbled by the pressure of the collegiate spotlight.

That first season, his teammates recall, he went from being a scared boy to becoming a strong, confident man on the football field. Those were some of the growing pains. Another was a bad habit his roommates disliked intensely.

Before becoming the Aaron Rodgers that rips apart NFL defenses, he entered his collegiate career far from the superstar we marvel at today. As a college freshmen, Aaron initially appeared more like a place kicker and punter, judging from his frail and meager stature, Ryan Riddle, and collegiate teammates recall.

In his first season, as a Division I collegiate quarterback, he cried after having crumbled under the pressure. The following season, rased that memory from California Bearcats football fans and proved why he belonged on the premier stage.

The next season, in a high-profile game against the University of Southern California, outshone the best team in the nation by completing the most consecutive passes in one game; breaking an NCAA division I record, and almost upsetting the best team in the country.

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Growing up with Christian values Aaron rarely partied or drank alcohol, but he enjoyed the occasional poker game with friends. Teammates remember him as a low-key kind of guy on campus who wasn’t about the fiery pre-game speeches.

Aaron did have some flaws; he didn’t wash his dishes and left loads of cereal bowls in the sink while in college. OK, it’s safe to say most college kids with a love of cereal and disdain for washing dirty dishes can relate.

In college, Aaron was focused on being a student of football. If being a football nerd kept him out of trouble and being academically sound meant more to him than being the number one stud on campus, kudos. After forgoing his senior year at Cal-Berkeley, Aaron Rodgers impressed NFL teams with his intelligence and tested in with a score of 35 on the NFL Wonderlic intelligence test.

But once again, nothing was handed to Aaron, he had to work for everything and prove himself. He was passed up by almost every NFL team and was drafted late, in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, and would have to stake a spot playing behind an NFL legend, Brett Favre.

Aaron earned every ounce of his achievements, as a starter in college, in the NFL and, now, as an NFL MVP, and Super Bowl champion quarterback. Good for him, he isn’t done with achieving high standards. As he’s using his spotlight for great causes, by making a difference in the world through charities. 

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itsAaron.com was created by Aaron Rodgers and a local public figure in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to create awareness for organizations and people who are changing the world. Aaron shows up, unexpectedly, to hang out with people whose impact through non-profit work with organizations in Wisconsin, has been recognized.

Imagine being born with a blood disorder? And now you’re eight years old dealing with more pain than is imaginable. Now imagine your little brother offers his bone marrow to save your life. The transplant works. Your little brother is now a superhero, and you want the world to know about it. You’re excited to tell your story so you can help other kids! But how do you tell the story? Who will listen? Then the doorbell rings… It’s a reminder that each one of us can make a big difference in our community. It’s an opportunity to get involved and work together to make our world better.

Is Aaron Rodgers an overall good guy? Being a Green Bay Packer fan and Wisconsin native, I’m a little biased. Seeing Aaron help local charities in profound ways and attend University of Wisconsin basketball games; showing up unexpectedly in their locker room to give moral support, solidifies he’s not a good guy. No, Aaron is a superb human.

Yes, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t always the man we see today. Perhaps he was once a normal college kid letting dishes pile up while playing poker games. But like most legends, who’ve had to start from humbling beginnings appearing as regular guys, but in the end, left a legacy anyone outside of sports can admire, Aaron Rodgers has what real men are made of.

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Photo: Flickr/Dinur

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