Aaron Rodgers is a legendary quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Let's remember some of his greatest moments in green and gold.
Aaron Rodgers is a Green Bay Packers' legend. Yes, the "bad man" plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers now, so he's technically on the enemy sideline this upcoming weekend on "Sunday Night Football". It's also worth noting that his time with the Packers ended a bit awkwardly. Between the darkness retreats, hits on The Pat McAfee Show and the palpable tension between him and General Manager Brian Gutekunst, there was absolutely some drama,
It wasn't Brett Favre-level drama, but it was drama nonetheless.
All Packers fans should be hoping that their team beats down the Steelers on Sunday and that Rodgers, for as much as we loved him while he was wearing green and gold, is sacked 45 times by Micah Parsons and throws six interceptions to Xavier McKinney.
In the meantime, though, let's take a trip down memory lane. Rodgers was selected with the 24th pick of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Pack and he spent 18 magical seasons "carrying the G".
That included a Super Bowl win against (ironically) the Steelers, as well as four NFL MVP Awards.
He's a future Hall of Famer, and he'll be going into the hall representing the Packers when all is said and done.
Together, let's remember his five best moments with the Packers.
BONUS MOMENT: "I STILL OWN YOU"
It was a six-yard touchdown run midway through the 2021 season. As far as big moments are concerned, there have been many more epic football moments in Rodgers' legendary career.
What he screamed at the salty Chicago Bears' fans after the touchdown, though, is the stuff of lore.
5. The "My Knee" Game
This game gave us one of the most quotable moments in NFL history. Even more quotable than the "I still own you" moment against the Chicago Bears.
Come to think of it, many of Rodgers' great moments came against the Bears, and that's why we loved him so much.
From a grit, toughness and pure football skill standpoint, this may have been Rodgers' most impressive game. He went down with a knee injury in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season and it was so bad that he had to be carted back to the locker room.
The Packers were down 17-0 and DeShone Kizer was Rodgers' backup. It truly seemed like the end times.
Then came the second half, though. Rodgers came back into the game to a standing ovation and went on to throw three touchdowns in the second half and the Packers ended up winning, 24-23.
The post-game featured this legendary interview and to speculation from many that Rodgers was "feeling good" after a round of painkillers at halftime.
4. Super Bowl XLV and the touchdown throw to Greg Jennings
In the grand scheme of things, this was a "once in a lifetime" touchdown throw that we ended up seeing from Rodgers a million times over the course of his career with the Pack.
Consider the moment, though.
The Packers were up on the Steelers, 14-3 in the closing moments of the second quarter of Super Bowl XLV and Rodgers threw one of the best spirals you'll ever see into basically triple coverage. Greg Jennings was on the receiving end of that dart, and the end result was a touchdown that put the Pack up 31-3 and even at that point in the game, they started smelling blood.
3. Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb against the Chicago Bears
Yet another moment against the Bears. In this instance, on December 13, 2013, Rodgers was returning from a collarbone injury that had kept him out of the seven previous games.
The Packers were down one point, 27-28, when a drive stalled with under a minute left in the ballgame. With 46 seconds to go and the Packers facing a game-deciding 4th-and-8 from the Chicago 48, Rodgers connected with his great friend, Randall Cobb, to orchestrate this legendary moment that won the Pack the NFC North:
2. Throw to Jared Cook against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs
The moment was huge. The Packers were in the NFC divisional playoff round against the Dallas Cowboys in January of 2017. The game was tied at 31 and Rodgers and the Packers got the football back with 35 seconds in the game.
Facing a 3rd-and-20 from the Packers 32-yard line, Rodgers and tight end Jared Cook connected on one of the most clutch, as well as one of the most difficult, throws and catches you'll ever see.
A play later, Mason Crosby hit a 51-yard field goal with time expiring that won the game for Green Bay and sent them to the NFC Championship Game.
1. The Hail Marys
Nobody in NFL history has been able to throw a Hail Mary pass like Aaron Rodgers, and likely, nobody will ever be able to replicate his success with the desperation heave. He seemingly has a direct line to Mother Mary herself.
Just watch, and enjoy:
And let's not forget this one against the Detroit Lions:
Thanks to the GOAT for all these years of memories, but this weekend and we're going to be thinking is GO PACK GO.