On September 8, 2008, as the Lambeau Field was buzzing with chants of “We want Favre,” Aaron Rodgers made his first-ever Lambeau Leap. It was a game against the Minnesota Vikings, and Rodgers had his first touchdown as a starter and scored on a game-clinching sneak, marking the beginning of a successful journey with the Green Bay Packers.

The Lambeau Leap. It’s a celebration that, at least in the hearts of NFL fans, changed Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler’s name to “Leap.” After that very first Lambeau Leap that the Packers’ strong safety did on December 26, 1993, who would’ve thought this celebration – a break from tradition – would become such a big deal in the NFL? But it did, and Packers quarterback Jordan Love revealed the greatest challenge of their traditional leap.

In a recent episode of the Thanalysis Show, the 25-year-old joined host Thanasis Antetokounmpo, discussing the life of an NFL starter and his relationship with Aaron Rodgers, even calling their bond a “great relationship.” But considering Antetokounmpo was talking to a Packers player, he couldn’t help but ask about the Lambeau Leap.

“What is this Lambeau Leap,” he inquired, making Love chuckle. He hilariously replied, “I haven’t done the Lambeau Leap. So I wouldn’t know.” But he explained it, saying, “Lambeau, that’s the stadium. And then there’s a wall. I don’t even know how tall the wall is, but it’s up there.” As per reports, “Wall heights vary in the Lambeau Field end zone and can be as tall as 6 feet 4 inches.” That’s the challenge most players face. But for some – like Aaron Rodgers – the result makes the challenge worth it.

Love continued, “Obviously, that’s where our fans are. So you score a touchdown, you go up there, and you Lambeau Leap: You jump into the crowd, and the fans grab you. They’re going crazy; people taking pictures. So it’s a cool moment. It’s a very special moment.” As for Jordan Love, “I’ve seen guys miss and not get up there. That’s what I’m trying to say. The wall is pretty high.” While that may have stopped him, it didn’t stop the 6’2” Rodgers in 2008.

That first touchdown pass Aaron Rodgers made helped secure the win for the Packers. And that made his Lambeau Leap all the more special. “I’ve been dreaming about that for four years,” Rodgers said after the game. “I was hoping my first Leap would be something a little more flashy, but at that point in the game, I just said, ‘What the heck … I’m going for it.’”

Later, on December 24, 2016, Rodgers celebrated another touchdown with a Lambeau Leap during a game against – again – the Vikings at Lambeau Field.

The NFL is often criticized for being too strict with celebrations, earning the nickname “No Fun League.” However, celebrations like the Lambeau Leap are allowed because they don’t involve taunting the other team. And over time, they become a part of tradition. So, in light of the celebration’s 30th anniversary, the player who started it reminisced about that decision in 1993.

LeRoy Butler leaped so Aaron Rodgers could fly…

On December 26, 1993, the Green Bay Packers took on the Los Angeles Raiders. In that 28-0 victory at Lambeau Field, LeRoy Butler scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. And to celebrate, he jumped into the stands, invariably starting a tradition that would live on just like his legacy. 30 years on from that memorable night, the Hall of Famer sat down with Spectrum News 1’s Dennis Krause.

“Did you plan that Lambeau Leap, or did it just happen in the moment,” asked Krause. Butler replied, “Obviously, it was spontaneous. I think the biggest thing is, to me, it felt like we’re on the cusp of becoming a pretty good team and something had to come from somewhere to catapult us on this national scene.” He then explained why he did it, not knowing it would become such a phenomenon.

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Describing the crowd during the play that led to the touchdown, LeRoy explained, “When I get the ball, I just remembered the loudest roar I’ve ever heard. And as I’m running down about the five-yard line, I said to myself, to myself, I’m going to jump in the stands.” When he did jump into the stands, a fan dropped their beer and said to Butler, “Man, you owe me a beer.” 

After that hilarious moment, “I never really knew how I would impact the culture, impact celebrations, impact, and our fan base,” LeRoy Butler added. With that celebration, fans started referring to him as “Leap.” And as for Aaron Rodgers, his two jumps earned him the title of Packers’ Lambeau Leaper!

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