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MVP Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Surrounds Himself with Quality People

Aaron Rodgers has earned a place among the NFL’s elite, with a well-rounded grasp on his opportunity to lead the league’s most iconic franchise -- and embody the meaning of being a Green Bay Packers quarterback. Aaron says, "When you get drafted by this team, you understand that it’s got such a rich tradition of excellence. You learn when you come here is that there’s an expectation that you carry yourself the right way in the community. We have guys who buy into the Packer way. And I think a lot of that goes back to Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr and the groundwork that they laid. That it’s more important to be a good person than it is to just play well on Sundays.”

The two-time NFL MVP also has a Super Bowl MVP giving Aaron the rare Packers quarterback distinction that’s shared only with Bart Starr.  Aaron recalls, “I was fortunate to meet him in 2006 at Fan Fest for the first time. And me being a lover of history and all things NFL, I was real excited to meet him knowing that he was the first Super Bowl MVP and everything that the organization stands for - it was a big thrill for me."   

All of Aaron’s 11 seasons have been with Green Bay but only eight, as a starter. In 2008, his quarterbacking predecessor - Brett Favre - was traded. It was the iconic Starr who helped soften the transition. Aaron explains, “As Bret was leaving and I was coming in to take over the starting role, Bart starts sending me some emails.  At a time where, you know, there was a lot of turmoil with the fans and the changeover and me trying to kind of start my own –my own deal here as a leader and a player, and Bart’s, you know, real calming words about just staying true to who you are and believing in yourself. And you know he believed in me as well, was pretty special. I was very touched.”    

Authenticity is everything! Aaron believes, "You have to wake up every day and look in the mirror and you want to be proud of the person who’s looking back at you. And you can only do that if you’re being honest with yourself and being a person of high character. You have an opportunity every single day to write that story of your life."    

On the field - Aaron’s a general, who leads by example, while off the field accountability keeps him grounded, helping him avoid the pitfalls of notoriety, saying, “Surround yourself with really good people. I think that’s an important thing. Because the people you surround yourself are a reflection of you. There are always situations that you could put yourself in where people could look at you differently. In our league, especially right now, it’s a hot button topic because there’s the coverage is at an all-time high, everybody has, you know, Twitter, you have Facebook. It takes a career, a lifetime, to build up a reputation, and only one misstep for it all to crumble away.”

He also knows when to step-in, having fun photo bombing on sidelines and red carpets. But Aaron prefers keeping his community involvement and generous philanthropy concealed. What compels him to give? “Something inside me that knows that I’ve been blessed”, he explains, “we all should be pulling for each other in the same direction. And the way to do that is to find opportunities to give back. Whether it’s donating anonymously, which I enjoy doing because I don’t want any of the credit. I think the credit should go to where it’s coming from. Who has provided for you and the opportunities you’ve been given.”

In the debate of top-dog quarterbacks – its Aaron’s combined skillset that contributes to his forte: efficiency - minimizing mistakes and leading scoring drives that has made him the highest-rated passer in NFL history. His life decisions are similarly decisive and straightforward, based from his experience. When asked about his faith, Aaron answers, "I was modeled what Jesus Christ was all about when I was in high school and spent some time with a great organization called Young Life. And that introduced me to what it means to live the right way. We all have different experiences, subcultures in the Christian faith that has either turned us off to it or rubbed us the wrong way based on some exclusivity that doesn’t really make sense in this world. And I think Jesus was the opposite of that.”  

Playing at a position that requires results and living a life that embraces faith - the quarterback puts emphasis on action, sharing, “One of my favorite sayings was St. Francis of Assisi who said, ‘preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words’. I think what that means at its core is that people are going to be interested in what you’re all about more by the way you conduct yourself than what comes out of your mouth. And I think that’s what it’s all about.”   

From a field where careers are defined and legacies are made – Aaron Rodgers is establishing his! The accomplished playmaker revels in the example of a play worth making, encouraging others to respect one another relational, adding that “I think Jesus was about bringing people together and connecting people in love, hanging out with the people who other people didn’t want to hang out with. Spending time with the worst of the worst because He knew those are the people who needed Him most. I really appreciate that about Him and reading that about Him and people who want to spread that message."   

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