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Facing Death Threats, Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers Used Michael Jordan to Outwork Tom Brady & Patrick Mahomes

Published 03/08/2024, 12:29 PM EST

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Aaron Rodgers found himself at a crossroads when Packers’ legend Brett Favre moved to another team, thrusting him into the spotlight as the franchise’s new quarterback. Yet, this transition wasn’t without its challenges. However, amidst the chaos, Rodgers drew strength from an unlikely source—Michael Jordan.

As he navigated through adversity, Rodgers found solace and inspiration in Jordan’s relentless pursuit of excellence, propelling him to confront his challenges head-on. What drove Aaron Rodgers to overcome death threats and rise to prominence in the NFL?

How Michael Jordan inspired Rodgers

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The turning point in Aaron Rodgers’ career came in the aftermath of Packers’ legend Brett Favre’s moving to the Jets. Many fans motivated him, but some sent death threats! Rodgers remembers waking up to lots of texts on his phone­ when Favre retired. At first the threats shocke­d and frightened Rodgers, but he­ stayed strong because his te­ammates and family supported him.

In a recent interview, he said, “So I was in my bed at San Diego and I woke up at a like 8:00, there was like a hundred text messages and I am like what the hell happened like first I was like somebody died. And then it’s like no Fav retired and everybody is like oh you are the guy and I am like ok I am the guy.” He further added, “There were some really bizarre statements, uh death threats.”

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While Brady and Mahomes may boast impressive resumes and accolades of their own, Rodgers distinguishes himself through his unwavering commitment to excellence. Rodgers shared how he found inspiration from Michael Jordan’s famous work ethic and attitude during tough times. He has respected Jordan’s unmatched talent in basketball for a long time.

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“I’ve been watching. It’s been a lot of fun,” Rodgers remarked, reflecting on his admiration for Jordan while watching the acclaimed documentary series “The Last Dance.” “I was fortunate enough in 1998 to sit in the top row at Arco Arena and watch M.J.’s last game as a Bull in the regular season against the Sacramento Kings.” It is safe to say that A-Rod pulled inspiration from the right place as he himself is a legend in the NFL now.

Aaron Rodgers’ remarkable rise in NFL career

Rodgers‘ football career tells a story of greatness, strength, and extraordinary talent. It began in college at California, where he proved himself as a star quarterback. This amazing play caught the eyes of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Even though at first he backed up the famous quarterback Brett Favre, Rodgers carefully learned his skills and waited for his time to shine. That time came in 2008 when he became the starting quarterback for the Packers, beginning a journey that would firmly establish his place among the best quarterbacks ever.

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Read more: Earning Over $256 Million in 2022 Alone, Michael Jordan Has Nike Legend’s Creativity to Thank for Unparalleled Riches

Aaron’s best mome­nt came in the 2010 NFL year when he guided the Packe­rs to win in Super Bowl XLV. Not only was he successful in earning the de­sired Super Bowl MVP name, finishing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. This succe­ss demonstrated his direction, ability, and capability to carry out unde­r pressure on the bigge­st stage of football.

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Written by:

Paramita Banik

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Paramita Banik is an NFL writer for EssentiallySports. She has been following Deion Sanders and his journey with the Buffaloes. Her coverage is focused on the Buffs’ off-season training.
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Edited by:

Garima Yadav