For 17 years Aaron Rodgers rocked the number 12 jersey with the Green Bay Packers. After his blockbuster move to the New York Jets, the expectations were that A-Rod would be representing the no. 12 once again. However, he picked a different number, despite the legendary QB Joe Namath wanting him to wear 12. And now Rodgers gives his reasoning behind this shocking decision.

The former QB for the Jets, Namath, led the team to win their first-ever Super Bowl in 1969. In 1976, the prolific QB bid farewell to the Jets. Namath was the last person to wear 12 for the Jets. Rodgers had the opportunity to revive the famed jersey, however, the Super Bowl winner decided to wear number 8 instead.

Aaron Rodgers decided against number 12

“Not 12 because of Joe Namath?”, asked legendary archer Cameron Hanes to A-Rod on his podcast ‘Keep Hammering Collective’. Rodgers gave a simple explanation since the jersey is retired in honor of Namath. However, Hanes pressed on, as he asked, “They wouldn’t bring it out for you”. Then the 40-year-old QB revealed the reason for everyone!

“Joe actually offered it up, which I give him a ton of respect for that. But with all that respect, to me, 12 in New York is Joe Namath,” said Rodgers. The 10X Pro Bowler also revealed his love for the game, which stopped him from taking over the no. 12.

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“I love history in general, but I love the history of the NFL! And I grew up watching old VHS tapes of Super Bowl highlights and so I knew about Joe Namath,” said Aaron Rodgers displaying his passion for his current team. And Rodgers is excited to deliver the same on the pitch as well this season.

A season of hopes for the Jets and Rodgers

Last season, all the dreams were broken as Rodgers injured his Achilles mere 4 snaps into the first game of the season. With his advancing age, Rodgers wants to get back to the glory of winning championships and in the process lift the Jets as well. He has done all in his power to get fit as quickly as possible, with his rehabilitation taking merely 5 months, instead of the usual 8 to 9 months in terms of an Achilles injury.

And Rodgers knows how to fulfill those hopes. “To stay healthy and beat back father time a few more years”, said A-Rod to Hanes. With only a few seasons remaining under his belt at most, Rodgers will want to make the most in his second season with the Jets.

Do you think Aaron Rodgers will be able to get the Jets to the playoffs? Let us know in the comments.

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