Aaron Rodgers offered his comments for the first time since his rift with the Packers began starting late April as he appeared on Kenny Mayne’s final time anchoring SportsCenter. Rodgers joked with Mayne about his appearance on the show for the most part but had some telling comments about his situation in Green Bay.
Advertisement
Aaron Rodgers’ appearance came as a bit of a surprise to the NFL world. He opened his appearance by jokingly saying, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” — an ode to former Cal teammate Marshawn Lynch.
Aaron Rodgers joined @Kenny_Mayne for his final SportsCenter:
“I’m just here so I won’t get fined. … I’m just here because it’s your last show and that ‘s the only reason I’m here.” pic.twitter.com/hzcFgmVWYQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 25, 2021
Aaron Rodgers shed light on the Packers organisation.
Kenny Mayne and Aaron Rodgers talked about fans and observers being conditioned to think management was always in the right, and any individual player who stands up for themself is in the wrong.
“The people. That’s the most important thing: The people make an organization,” Rodgers said. “People make the business. And sometimes that gets forgotten. Culture, the foundation of it, brick by brick, is built by the people. Not by the organization or the building. Not by the corporation. It’s built by the people.”
Mayne also asked if Rodgers had asked to be traded out of Green Bay Packers. Rodgers chose not to answer directly but did make some interesting comment.
“With my situation, it’s never been about the draft pick,” Rodgers said. “Picking Jordan, I love Jordan. He’s a great kid. A lot of fun to work together. Love my coaching staff, love my teammates, love my fan base in Green Bay. Incredible 16 years. It’s just kind of about a philosophy, and maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go. It’s about character, it’s about culture and its about doing things the right way.
Aaron Rodgers spoke with @Kenny_Mayne about where he stands with the Packers: pic.twitter.com/VeSBspFVLL
— ESPN (@espn) May 25, 2021
“A lot of this was put in motion last year, and the wrench was just kind of thrown into it when I won MVP and played the way I played last year,” Rodgers added. “This is just kind of the spiel out of all that. Look man, it is about the people.”
And then to end the segment, Kenny Mayne closed the conversation with his typical joking self. “One last thing: Last time we did the interview together, you told me to go heavy on the crypto-currency game,” Mayne said. “I did. We’re down 40 percent, then I lost my job. (My wife Gretchen) just wants a new comforter. F— you, Aaron Rodgers.”
Only @Kenny_Mayne could end his interview with @AaronRodgers12 this way. pic.twitter.com/Aw09nrT4Eq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 25, 2021
Aaron Rodgers didn’t give explicit details on the situation. But we did learn a little bit about what was going through his mind as he opted not to attend the OTA’s for the Green Bay Packers.
