Aaron Rodgers



Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American footballquarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Rodgers played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he set several career passing records, including lowest single-season and careerinterception rates.[4]  He was selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers.[5]

After backing up Brett Favre for the first three years of his NFL career, Rodgers became the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008 and led them to a win in Super Bowl XLV after the 2010 NFL season; Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP. As a result, he was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011.[6] Rodgers has led the NFL twice in passer rating (2011, 2012), touchdown to interception ratio (2011, 2012), passing touchdown % (2011, 2012), and once in yards per attempt (2011) and pass interception % (2009). Rodgers is the NFL's all-time career leader in passer rating during the regular season with a rating of 104.9, and third all-time in the postseason with a rating of 103.6 – among passers with at least 1,500 and 150 pass attempts respectively.[7]  He also holds the league's lowest career pass interception percentage for quarterbacks during the regular season with a percentage of 1.7%,[8]  and the single season passer rating record of 122.5.[9]

Early Years
Rodgers was born in Chico in Butte County, California,[10]  the son of Darla Leigh (née Pittman) and Edward Wesley Rodgers. Aaron's father is a Texas-born chiropractor who played football as an offensive lineman for California State University, Chico, from 1973 to 1976.[11] [12]  His ancestry includes English, Irish, and German.[11] [13]  The family moved to Ukiah, California, where Aaron attended Oak Manor Elementary School.[14]  Edward Rodgers tossed a football with his sons Luke, Aaron and Jordan, and told them not to drink and party in college or else they would limit themselves in sports like he did. Aaron Rodgers took this advice to heart.[12]  At the age of ten, he was featured on the front page of the Ukiah Daily Journal for his top performance at a local basketballfree throw competition.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FreeThrows_14-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Later, the family moved to Beaverton, Oregon, where Rodgers attended Vose Elementary School and Whitford Middle School, playing baseball in the Raleigh Hills Little League at the positions of shortstop, center field and pitcher.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Oregonian_15-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  The Rodgerses returned to Chico in 1997, and Aaron attended Pleasant Valley High School, starting for two years at quarterback and garnering 4,421 passing yards. He set single-game records of six touchdowns and 440 all-purpose yards. Rodgers also set a single-season record with 2,466 total yards in 2001 and graduated in the spring of 2002.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18]  Rodgers finished high school with a good grade point average, variously reported as 3.6 (A-minus) or a "perfect" 4.0, and he scored well on his SAT, variously reported as 1300, 1310 and 1400.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jackel2005_12-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[12] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cal.27s_QB_Hope_19-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Layden2011_20-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[22]

College
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he played for the California Golden Bears football team from 2002 to 2004.

2002
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Despite his record-setting statistics, Rodgers attracted little interest from  Division I  programs. In a 2011 interview with E:60, he attributed the relative lack of attention in the recruiting process to his unimposing physical stature as a high school player at 5'10 (1.78 m) and 165 lb (75 kg). Rodgers had wanted to attend Florida State University and play under Bobby Bowden, but was rejected.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-E60_Youtube_23-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[23] He garnered only an offer to compete for a scholarship as a walk-on from Illinois.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24]  He declined the invitation, and considered quitting football to study for law school. He was then recruited to play football at Butte Community College in Oroville, a local junior college about 15 miles (25 km) southeast of Chico. Rodgers threw 26 touchdowns in his freshman season,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]  leading Butte to a 10–1 record, the NorCal Conference championship, and a  No. 2  national ranking. While there, he was discovered by the California Golden Bears' head coach Jeff Tedford, who was recruiting Butte tight end Garrett Cross. Tedford was very surprised to learn that Rodgers had not been recruited earlier. Because of Rodgers's good high school scholastic record, he was eligible to transfer after one year of junior college instead of the typical two.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cal.27s_QB_Hope_19-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]

2003
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">As a junior college transfer, Rodgers had three years of eligibility at Cal. He was named the starting quarterback in the fifth game of the 2003 season, coincidentally against the only team that offered him a  Division I  opportunity out of high school, Illinois. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Golden Bears to a 7–3 record as a starter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers_Cal_Bio_26-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26]  In his second career start, Rodgers led the team to a 21–7 halftime lead against USC (then ranked  No. 3 ) before being replaced in the second half by Reggie Robertson due to injury.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-calfans_27-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[27] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[28]  The Bears won in triple overtime, 34–31.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-calfans_27-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[27]  Rodgers passed for 394 yards and was named game MVP in the Insight Bowl against Virginia Tech. In 2003, Rodgers tied the school season record for 300-yard games with 5 and set a school record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted at 1.43%.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-cstv.com_29-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]

2004
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">As a junior, Rodgers led Cal to a 10–1 record and top-five ranking at the end of the regular season, with their only loss coming in a closely contested game at  No. 1  USC, in which the final score was 17–23. In that game, Rodgers set a school record for consecutive completed passes with 26 and tied an NCAA record with 23 consecutive passes completed in one game. He set a Cal single game record for passing completion percentage of 85.3. Rodgers holds the Cal career record for lowest percentage of passes intercepted at 1.95%.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-cstv.com_29-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]  Rodgers' performance set up the Golden Bears at first and goal with 1:47 remaining in the game and a chance for the game winning touchdown. On the first play of Cal's goal line stand, Rodgers threw an incomplete pass. This followed with a second down sack by Manuel Wright.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cal_Vs_USC_2004_30-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]  After a timeout and Rodgers's incomplete pass on third down, USC stopped Cal's run play to win the game.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cal_Vs_USC_2004_30-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]  Rodgers commented that It was "frustrating that we couldn't get the job done."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cal_Vs_USC_2004_30-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">After Texas was picked over Cal for a Rose Bowl berth, the fourth-ranked Bears were awarded a place in the Holiday Bowl, where they lost to Texas Tech, 45–31. After the season, Rodgers decided to forgo his senior season to enter the 2005 NFL Draft.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31]

College awards and honors

 * 2003 Honorable mention All-Pac-10 <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-calbears1_4-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4]
 * 2003 Insight Bowl Offensive MVP <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]
 * 2004 Cal Co-Offensive MVP<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * 2004 First-team All-Pac-10<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-calbears1_4-3" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4]
 * 2004 Second-team Academic All-Pac-10 <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]
 * 2004 Honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[34]

Pre-draft
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers was expected to be selected early in the 2005 NFL Draft as he had posted impressive numbers as a junior with Cal, throwing for 2,320 yards with a 67.5 completion rating in the regular season. He had tied an NCAA record when he completed 23 consecutive passes against the eventual national champions, USC. He threw for 24 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions in his last college season, impressing many NFL scouts. They commented that he was a "talented strong-armed junior"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Draft_Insider_35-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]  who "combines arm strength, mechanics and delivery to make all the throws", but noted that his stats could be inflated due to playing in a quarterback-friendly system and that he would need to adjust to the more elaborate defensive schemes of the NFL.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Draft_Insider_35-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]

Measurables
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;"><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NFL_Draft_Scout_36-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[36] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Aaron_Rodgers_Leader_of_The_Pack_37-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[37]

Draft
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers was widely projected to be the number one pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but slipped to the 24th overall pick, by the Green Bay Packers. Rodger's slip to the 24th choice by the Green Bay Packers became one of the biggest stories of the draft, though he was still the second quarterback selected. It was ranked number one on the NFL Network's Top 10 Draft Day Moments. The San Francisco 49ers, who held the first overall pick, passed on Rodgers to select quarterback Alex Smith. In addition, many teams drafting between 2nd and 23rd positions had positional needs more pressing than quarterback.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ESPN_Column_38-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[38]  Rodgers was one of five other quarterbacks coached by Jeff Tedford to be drafted in the first round, joining Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, David Carr, Joey Harrington, and Kyle Boller.

Backup seasons (2005–2007)
Rodgers in September 2007<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">In  August 2005  Rodgers agreed to a reported five-year,  $7.7 million  deal that included  $5.4 million  in guaranteed money and had the potential to pay him as much as  $24.5 million  if all incentives and escalators were met.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sportrac_Contract_39-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[39]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers spent his rookie season with the 4-12 Packers as the Packers' backup quarterback behind Brett Favre. He received his first extended look in the opening preseason game against the San Diego Chargersafter replacing Favre.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Chargers_Vs_Packers_2005_Preseason_40-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[40]  He had to endure a malfunctioning radio in his helmet and two offensive flags. In his first NFL game, Rodgers completed two out of seven passes and was sacked twice. He continued to struggle through the preseason, before ending the series-preseason by converting two third downs and throwing a touchdown pass to Tight End Ben Steele against the Tennessee Titans.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-GB_Vs_Tennesee_41-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[41]  Once the regular season began, Rodgers saw very little action that year. He played some against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of a 52-3 victory, and completed his first career pass to fullback Vonta Leach for 0 yards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]  On  December 19, 2005  Rodgers entered the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the third quarter in a 3-48 loss.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-3" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]  He completed eight passes out of the 15 attempted for 65 yards and an interception.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Packers_Vs._Ravens_2005_42-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[42]  Rodgers saw one more play at the end of the season against the Seattle Seahawks, taking a knee to end the game.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-4" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Though Rodgers played very little in his rookie season, he ran the scout team during practice.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-New_York_Times_QB_School_43-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  His job was to mimic opponents' schemes for the defense for the game the following week. Rodgers said this was critical to his success, and that those were his game reps.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sports_Illustrated_44-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[44]  The defense and scouts often complained that he was practicing too hard, and at one point asked him to tone it down.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-New_York_Times_QB_School_43-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  He stated that he had probably "rubbed people the wrong way" with how hard he practiced.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-New_York_Times_QB_School_43-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  Wide receiver Donald Driver, commented that Rodgers took "every scout-team possession like it was the last possession of his life."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sports_Illustrated_44-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[44]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">After the Packers' losing season of Rodgers' rookie year, head coach Mike Sherman was fired and replaced by current head coachMike McCarthy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Packers_Fire_Sherman_45-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[45] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Packers_to_hire_49ers.27_McCarthy_as_coach_46-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[46]  Rodgers was then placed in McCarthy's "Quarterback school" for six hours a day several times a week.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]  This focused on working on Rodgers's motor skills such as hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and mechanics.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-New_York_Times_QB_School_43-3" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  McCarthy also worked on Rodgers' release point, moving it from right beside the ear hole of his helmet to further below it, to give him a smoother release.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Aaron_Rodgers_Leader_of_The_Pack_37-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[37]  Rodgers was also instructed to lower his body fat ratio from  15 percent  to  12 percent .<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-New_York_Times_QB_School_43-4" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  Rodgers was resistant to the changes at first but later commented that he thought they were for the better.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]  During practice in 11-on-11 drills, Rodgers completed 62.7% of his passes with seven interceptions, and McCarthy commented that "He's getting better" and that "You're looking at a guy who's going to mature. He's got athletic ability that people still haven't seen."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Aaron_Rodgers_Leader_of_The_Pack_37-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[37]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Favre did not attend the quarterback school under the new coaching management and thus knew none of the terminology in the new system. It was here that the friendship between Rodgers and Favre began to form as Rodgers instructed Favre which plays in the Sherman system corresponded to those in the new McCarthy system.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]  When the preseason began, Rodgers played as the backup in all four games; he completed 22 out 38 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-5" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers saw very little action during the 2006 season, but did step in on  October 2  when Favre left due to injury. Rodgers completed two out of three passes for 13 yards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Bio_32-6" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]  On  November 19, 2006  Rodgers broke his left foot while playing against the New England Patriots in a 0-35 defeat at home, filling in for an injured Brett Favre, and Rodgers missed the remainder of the 2006 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-3" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47] Rodgers made a full recovery and was ready for the start of the 2007 season. With then quarterbacks' coach Tom Clements, Rodgers reviewed every play from the previous season, learning to read defensive coverages and to throw receivers open.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-4" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]  Rodgers also took the spring practice reps with the Packers' first team.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Journal_Sentinel_47-5" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">However, weeks after an emotional interview with NBC's Andrea Kramer, following the team's season-ending victory at Chicago, Favre announced that he would stay with the Packers for the 2007 season, again postponing Rodgers' hopes of becoming the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[48]  Prior to the 2007 season, rumors surfaced about a potential trade involving Rodgers in which he would be traded to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Randy Moss.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[49]  However, Moss was traded to the New England Patriots during the second day of the 2007 NFL Draft, and Rodgers stayed in Green Bay.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers stepped in when Favre was injured in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football on November 29, 2007 .<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cowboys_Versus_Packers_2007_50-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]  Rodgers completed 18 passes for 201 yards, with no interceptions.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cowboys_Versus_Packers_2007_50-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]  He also threw his first touchdown pass but was sacked three times.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cowboys_Versus_Packers_2007_50-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]  Rodgers brought the team back from a 17-point deficit to a 3-point deficit, but the Cowboys went on to win 37–27.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cowboys_Versus_Packers_2007_50-3" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]

2008
Rodgers going down the tunnel at Lambeau Field in 2008.<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Brett Favre's retirement announcement on  March 4, 2008  opened up the Packers' starting quarterback position to Rodgers for the 2008 season. Although Favre decided to return from retirement, he was traded to the New York Jets, which meant that Rodgers would become the starter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-51" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[51]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers quickly proved that he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league by passing for over 4,000 yards in his first season as a starter as well as throwing for 28 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions (which is currently his career high). With Rodgers making his debut as a starter, the Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24–19 at Lambeau Field. This marked the first time since 1992 that a quarterback other than Favre started a regular season game for the Packers. Rodgers ended the game with 178 yards passing and 2 touchdowns (1 passing/1 rushing).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers_Debut_52-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[52]  In just his second NFL start the following week, Rodgers was voted the FedEx Air award winner after passing for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a win against the Detroit Lions.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FedEx_Air_and_Ground_Winners_Week_2_2008_53-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[53]  During the fourth week of the season, Rodgers streak of 157 consecutive pass attempts without an interception ended when he was intercepted by Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The streak was the third longest in franchise history behind Bart Starr (294) and Brett Favre (163).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Buccaneers.27_defense_rattles_Rodgers_in_win_over_Packers_54-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[54]  Rodgers suffered a severe shoulder sprain in the game but continued to start and played well in a win against the Seattle Seahawks two weeks later, which to many proved his toughness.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers.27_toughness_55-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[55]  Despite early successes, Rodgers had been unable to win a close game during the season despite seven opportunities to do so.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers.27_toughness_55-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[55] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Bears_cap_unlikely_rally_with_OT_win_to_stay_alive_in_playoff_race_56-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[56]  On  October 31, 2008  Rodgers signed a six year,  $65 million  contract extension through the 2014 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Packers_Sign_Rodgers_Through_2014_57-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[57] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Contracts:_Rodgers_vs._Romo_58-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[58]

2009
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">For the opening game of the 2009 season, Rodgers recorded his first win in a comeback situation. The Packers were trailing at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Rodgers completed a fifty-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings with about a minute remaining in the game to contribute to the 21–15 victory over the Chicago Bears.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NFL_Game_Center_Chicago_Bears_.40_Green_Bay_Packers_59-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[59]  Rodgers was named National Football Conference(NFC) Offensive Player of the Month for  October 2009, when he passed for 988 yards, completed 74.5 percent of his passes, and recorded a passer rating over 110 for all three games played during the month.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers.2C_Sharper.2C_Knox_win_NFC_player_of_month_honors_60-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[60]  After a mediocre 4–4 start to the season and a devastating loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team began to heat up. Rodgers led the Packers to five straight wins, in which he threw for a total of 1,324 yards, 9 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. Rodgers and the Packers won two of their last three games, finishing the second half of the season with a 7–1 record and an overall 11–5 record; good enough to secure a wild cardplayoff berth and clinch the fifth seed in the playoffs. Rodgers also made the record books, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history ever to throw for 4,000 yards in both of his first two years as a starter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rodgers_Proscout.com_61-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[61]  His passing yardage made him second all-time in Packers history, behind only Lynn Dickey's all-time single-season record.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-62" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[62]  His passer rating of 103.2 was also second highest in team history at the time, behind only the great Bart Starr's 105.0 rating in 1966.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">The Green Bay Packers had to play the Arizona Cardinals in NFC Wild-Card game, the same team they previously beaten the week before 33-7. Rodgers and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner put on a show that later ranked #2 on NFL Network's Top 10 Quarterback Duels. Rodgers's first pass was intercepted by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Rodgers settled down after that miscue, however, and finished the game 28 of 42 for 423 yards with four passing touchdowns all in an epic second half comeback. His 423 passing yards are the most by any quarterback in their first playoff game. Kurt Warner shredded the Packer's defense, completing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards, 5 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 154.1. Despite Rodgers' offensive efforts, the Packers lost the game when he fumbled on the last but controversial play of overtime. The ball was returned by Karlos Dansby for the winning touchdown in the 51–45 Cardinals victory. It was the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NFL_Game_Center_Green_Bay_Packers_.40_Arizona_Cardinals_63-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[63]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Due to his regular season performance, Rodgers earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl as the NFC's third Quarterback behind Drew Breesand Brett Favre. However, after Favre dropped out due to injury and Brees was replaced due to his participation in Super Bowl XLIV, Rodgers became the NFC's starter for the game. He finished the day 15 of 19 passing with 197 yards and two touchdowns, despite the NFC losing the game.

2010
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">After Rodgers led his team to a 2–0 start in 2010, the Packers lost three of their next four games, including back-to-back overtime losses. The two overtime defeats brought Rodgers' record in overtime games to 0–5. In  Week 14  of the season, Rodgers sustained his second concussion of the season. Backup Matt Flynn was put into the game as Rodgers' replacement. The Packers lost the game 7–3 to the Detroit Lions. Rodgers missed the next week's regular season start ending his streak of consecutive starts at 45, which is tied for the second longest in team history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Green_Bay_Packers_QB_Matt_Flynn_has_fine_1st_road_start_64-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[64]  Through week seven, Rodgers already threw 9 interceptions compared to only throwing 7 all of last season. Rodgers soon got on a hot streak where he threw 16 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. The Packers were 8-6 and had to win their final two regular season games to qualify for the playoffs. Rodgers turned around the team's performance; they won their final two regular season games against the New York Giants, where Rodgers completed 25 of 37 passes for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns with a passer rating of 139.9, and the Chicago Bears 10-3 in the season finale.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Packers_10.2C_Bears_3:_Nothing_Comes_Easy_65-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[65]  Although the Packers finished with a 10-6 record, they were never beaten by more than 4 points in any game and never trailed by more than 7 points the entire season. NFL analysts stated the Packers were the most dangerous team heading into the playoffs.

Rodgers drops back for a pass in 2011.<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">With a 10–6 record, the Packers entered the NFL playoffs as the  No. 6  seed Wild Card. Rodgers led the Packers to one of the greatest playoff runs in NFL history. In the Wild Card round, they defeated the  No. 3  seeded Philadelphia Eagles 21–16. In the divisional round, Rodgers completed 31 of 36 pass attempts for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown in a 48–21 victory over the  No. 1  seeded Atlanta Falcons.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-_66-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[66]  It was the most points scored in Packers postseason history. During the contest, Rodgers tied an NFL record for consecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes (3 games). Rodgers also set an NFL record by becoming the only quarterback to pass for 10 touchdowns in three consecutive playoff games. On  January 23, 2011  Rodgers struggled with a 55.4 passer rating as the Packers beat the  No. 2  seed Chicago Bears 21–14 win to capture the NFC Championship.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[67]  The Packers earned a trip to Super Bowl XLV, which they won, 31–25, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers completed 24 of 39 pass attempts for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win, and was named Super Bowl XLV MVPfor his performance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Layden2011_20-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[68]  He was named the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year for the 2010 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-69" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[69]  Rodgers became only the third player in NFL history to pass for over 1,000 yards in a single postseason. He finished with 1,094 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while completing 68.2% of his passes for a passer rating of 109.8 (all Packer records).

2011
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers got the Packers off to a 13–0 start in 2011, tying the NFC record for most consecutive games won to start a season (2009 Saints). Many believed the Packers had a clear shot of becoming the fifth team ever to finish the regular season undefeated, but were upset by the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 in week 15. This ended the Packer's winning streak at 19 games, the second longest winning streak in NFL history. Rodgers had arguably the greatest season a quarterback has ever had by passing for 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions, good for a passer rating of 122.5, which is currently the highest single season passer rating in NFL history. Rodgers achieved this despite not playing in the seasons finale and being pulled out of four games. Rodgers led the league in passer rating, touchdown to interception ratio, and yards per attempt, while finishing second in both touchdown passes and completion percentage, and fifth in passing yards. These numbers earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award for September, October, and November, and FedEx Air Player of the Week six times (Weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, & 13). In week four against the Denver Broncos, Rodgers became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also rushing for 2 touchdowns in one game. He was the winner of the 2011Galloping Gobbler for MVP in the Thanksgiving game between the Packers and the Detroit Lions, a 27–15 Green Bay victory, and tied an NFL record for consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes (13). The Packers finished the regular season with a 15–1 record, Rodgers playing in 15 of the 16 games, with the only exception being week 17 vs. the Detroit Lions, a game in which Rodgers was rested after the club clinched home-field advantage for the playoffs the previous week. The Packer's offense was historically great, setting the franchise record for points scored in a season, 560, which is currently the second most in NFL history, and became one of only four teams in history to score 35 points or more in at least 9 games during the season. They also became the first team in the NFC North to go undefeated in the division since the 1987 Bears. Rodgers set numerous records in 2011. He recorded a passer rating of over 100.0 in thirteen games during the season, including twelve games in a row (both records), and a passer rating of 110.0 or higher in eleven games, all in a row, also a record. Rodgers won the league's MVP award in a landslide, receiving 48 of the 50 votes (two going to Drew Brees). He also finished 2nd for the AP-Offensive Player of the Year award.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Despite being favorites to win the Super Bowl all season, as well as being ranked #1 in the power rankings every week of the season, the Packers were upset by the New York Giants in their first playoff game by the score of 37-20. Many argued that by resting Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Greg Jennings, and Charles Woodson in the season finale against Detroit, made the Packers rusty by having too much time off. The Packer's receiving core dropped 6 passes in the loss and Rodgers finished the game with 264 passing yards, 2 touchdown passes, and an interception on his last pass attempt. The 2011 Packers became the only team in NFL history to go 15-1 and not win a playoff game.

2012
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">The Packers started off the 2012 season with a 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. With the loss, Rodgers lost his bet with 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, and had to wear an Alex Smith jersey during the next week of practice. The Packers got off to a rough start by losing 2 of their next 4 games, one to the Seattle Seahawks in the infamous "Fail Mary" or "The Inaccurate Reception" Game, and losing to the Colts 30-27 despite leading 21-3 at halftime. In an interview Rodgers told the media "outside the sky is falling, but inside we're just fine." In week 6 against the undefeated Houston Texans, Rodgers tied the franchise record by throwing 6 touchdown passes, 3 of them to Jordy Nelson, in a 42-24 victory. The Texans allowed only 6 total touchdowns during the season up to that point. This sparked a five game win streak which Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 1,320 yards, 17 touchdowns, only 2 interceptions, and a passer rating of 119.1. The Packers then lost to the Giants in a 38-10 blowout, the worst Packer loss in over 2 seasons. The Packers then won their next three games, all against division teams. In week 15, Rodgers threw for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns (all to James Jones) to lead the Packers past the Chicago Bears, 21-13. The victory crowned the Packers NFC North Champions for the second consecutive year and continued their win streak against the rival Bears to six. In the season finale, the Packers lost to the Vikings by a last second field goal 37-34, despite Rodgers going 28/40 for 365 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions and with a passer rating of 131.8. This ended the Packers' twelve-game winning streak against NFC North opponents. The Packers finished with an 11-5 record, first in the NFC North and clinched the 3rd seed in the playoffs. It should be noted that the Packers would have clinched a playoff bye if it had not have been for the blown call against the Seahawks in week three. Rodgers led the league for the second straight year in both passer rating (108.0) and touchdowns per attempt, while finishing second in touchdown passes (39), third in completion percentage (67.2%), fifth in yards per attempt (7.78), and eighth in passing yards (4,295).

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">In the playoffs, the Packers avenged their season finale loss by defeating the Vikings 24-10 in the wildcard round. Rodgers threw for 274 yards, completing 23 of his 33 passes (66.7%), with a touchdown pass and no interceptions. The Packers were then beaten 45-31 by the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. He finished 26 of 39 for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a passer rating of 91.5 in the loss.

2013
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">On April 26, 2013, the Packers and Rodgers agreed to a 5 year, $110 million contract extension making him the highest paid player in NFL history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-70" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[70]

Touchdown celebration
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Since becoming a starter, Rodgers has become known for his unique touchdown celebration which he and his teammates have dubbed the "Championship Belt". After a scoring play Rodgers celebrates by making a motion as if he is putting an invisible championship belton around his waist.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[71] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[72]  Teammate Greg Jennings said of the celebration: "It's just something fun that he does. We get excited when we see it cause we know that he's made a play or we've made a play as offense."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-youtube1_73-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[73]  The gesture drew the praise of World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Triple H and has become common for Green Bay fans to mimic the celebration as a point of pride during games.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-youtube1_73-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[73]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">In addition to the fans, teammates and opponents have also done the celebration. During the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs on January 15, 2011  against the Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers was sacked by Falcons defensive end John Abraham who performed the celebration immediately following the play. It was Abraham's only sack of the night. Minutes later, Rodgers scored a rushing touchdown and did the celebration in the Falcons' endzone. The Packers went on to win the game 48–21.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-youtube1_73-2" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[73]  Additionally, after scoring a touchdown in the NFC Championship game, fellow Packer B. J. Raji celebrated using the "Championship Belt" celebration.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-74" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[74]  While holding the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLV, Rodgers' teammate Clay Matthews placed a replica of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Big Gold Belt on Rodgers' shoulder.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers' celebration is also featured in a series of State Farm commercials featuring various teammates including Raji and Matthews<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[75]  and the celebration is called the "Discount Double Check".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-76" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[76]

Aaron the Photobomber
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Apart from his touchdown celebration, he is also "The King of Photobombing" as he is known to photobomb captain's pictures before the coin toss. Jim Biever, the team's photographer and coach Mike McCarthy noted that Rodgers was in the background of every captain's photo since 2006 when Brett Favre was still a starter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-77" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[77]

Awards and achievements
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">- NFL Records

<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">- Packer Records
 * Single season QB Passer Rating (122.5)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Prisco_2-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-pro-football-reference1920_3-1" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]
 * Highest career passer rating in regular season with a minimum of 1,500 passing attempts (104.9)
 * Only quarterback in history to have a career passer rating of over 100.0
 * Only quarterback in history to have a career passer rating of over 100.0 in both the regular season and post season.
 * Lowest career pass interception % (1.7%)
 * Most games with a passer rating of over 110.0 (12) and 100.0 (13) in a season.
 * Most consecutive games with a passer rating of over 100.0 (12) and 110.0 (11)
 * Most consecutive games with a passer rating of over 100.0 (12) and 110.0 (11) to start a season.
 * Second highest career completion percentage in regular season (65.7%)
 * Third most passing yards in a single postseason (1,094)
 * Most passing yards by a quarterback in their first playoff game (423)
 * Only quarterback to pass for over 400 yards, throw 4 passing touchdowns, and rush for 2 touchdowns in one game.
 * Best touchdown to interception ratio in NFL history (171:46)
 * Tied NFL record for most consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes (13).
 * Tied NFL record for most consecutive playoff games with at least 3 touchdown passes (3).
 * Most touchdown passes by a quarterback in his first three playoff games (10)
 * Only player in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards in each of the first two seasons as a starting QB
 * Only player in NFL history to throw 45+ touchdowns, and 6 or fewer interceptions in a single season
 * Second best touchdown to interception ratio in a season (45:6)
 * One of only four quarterbacks (Kurt Warner, Eli Manning, and Dan Marino) to pass for over 1,000 yards in a single postseason
 * One of only two quarterbacks to have a season passer rating of over 120.0
 * 7x FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week 11, 2010 & Weeks 4–7, 9, 13, 2011)
 * 6× NFC Player of the Month
 * The Wisconsin Legislature approved a resolution that declared December 12, 2012 (stylized as 12/12/12) "Aaron Rodgers Day" in his honor as Rodgers also wears number 12.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12-12-12_proclaimed_Aaron_Rodgers_Day_78-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[78] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USA_TODAY_Arod_Day_79-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[79]
 * Threw the fewest interceptions (42) before throwing career touchdown 150 (Dan Marino threw 69 interceptions)
 * Only Rodgers, Marino, and Favre have thrown for over 30 touchdowns in more than one season before turning the age of 30


 * Most passing yards in a season (4,643)
 * Most touchdown passes in a season (45)
 * Best touchdown to interception ratio in a season (45:6)
 * Highest completion percentage in a season (68.3%)
 * Highest yards per attempt in a season (9.25)
 * Highest passing touchdown % in a season (9.0%)
 * Best pass interception % in a season (1.2%)
 * Best career pass interception % (1.7%)
 * Most passing yards in a playoff game (423)
 * Most games with a passer rating of over 100.0, 110.0, 120.0 & 130.0 in a season.
 * Most consecutive games with a passer rating of over 100.0 and 110.0 in a season.
 * Most passing yards in a single postseason (1,094).
 * Most passing yards (304) and touchdowns (3) in a Super Bowl
 * Most passing yards by a quarterback in their first year as a starter (4,038)
 * Highest completion percentage in a playoff game with a minimum of 25 attempts (86.1%)
 * Tied record for most passing touchdowns in a game (6)
 * Highest career passer rating in regular season (104.9)
 * Second highest career passer rating in postseason (103.6) (Behind Bart Starr's 104.8)
 * 2nd most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (356)
 * Most seasons with a passer rating of over 100.0 (4)
 * Most consecutive seasons with a passer rating of over 100.0 (4)
 * Most touchdown passes in back to back seasons (84)
 * Most touchdown passes in a single postseason (9)
 * Only QB to pass for over 4,000 yards and rush for over 300 yards in a season
 * Highest career completion percentage (65.7%)
 * Highest career yards per attempt (8.1)
 * Most games with a completion percentage of over 70.0% in a season (7)
 * Highest passing yards per game average in a season (309)

Professional statistics
Rodgers during the Packers game against the New York Giants on January 15, 2012.;Regular Season
 * <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_rec" style="word-wrap:break-word;">^*  NFL record


 * Postseason

Personal
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">Rodgers currently lives in Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Super_Bowl_MVP_Aaron_Rodgers_Calls_San_Diego_Home_80-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[80]  He has two brothers; his younger brother Jordan is the quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-81" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[81]  Rodgers is a devout Christian but he is more subdued about proclaiming his faith. In an interview with ESPN Milwaukee he said, "I feel like my stance and my desire has always been to follow a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, who said, ‘Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.’ So basically, I’m not an over-the-top, or an in-your-face kind of guy with my faith."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-82" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[82]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-family:sans-serif;">It has been reported that Rodgers is engaged to fellow Chico native Destiny Newton, the younger sister of The Bachelor contestant Shawntel Newton.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-83" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[83] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-84" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[84] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[85]