Living Like A Winner: Fascinating Facts About Aaron Rodgers
It feels like Aaron Rodgers is living a dream life! This 37-year-old Green Bay Packers quarterback not only won Super Bowl XLV and was named MVP, but he's also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
Keep reading to uncover the mystery behind this superstar footballer's incredible success story and find out who his lucky fiancée was, how he earns and spends his riches, plus if the Packers should be worried about him leaving anytime soon!
Almost Became A Lawyer
In a 2011 interview with ESPN, Rodgers confessed that he thought about quitting football to study law instead. Without any offers for Division I football scholarships out of high school, Rodgers applied to law school. However, becoming a lawyer wasn't in the cards for the future star quarterback.
Luckily for football fans, Rodgers was rejected from Purdue and Illinois. He saved those college rejection letters and displayed them in the walk-in closet of his Green Bay home as a reminder of how things could have ended up differently.
Follow us for more great content
Didn't Get A Scholarship
It's hard to believe that Aaron Rodgers wasn't recognized for his incredible talent as a quarterback right away. Although he broke every football record at his California high school, Rodgers wasn't offered any scholarships from a Division I football program when he graduated.
He ended up attending junior college instead, leading the Butte Community College football team to a 10-1 record, finishing the season as No. 2 in the nation. Rodgers was recruited to play for the University of California, Berkeley from there.
Putting His House On The Market Caused Panic
Rodgers moved to the Green Bay area when he was 21-years-old and told ESPN that he is "a proud Wisconsin resident." In 2005 he purchased a home in Suamico, Wisconsin (just outside Green Bay) for $442,500.
He lived in the 4,012 square foot home for part of the year, splitting his time between Wisconsin and California when he wasn't on the road. Packers fans panicked when the quarterback put his home on the market in 2017.
Wealthy Athlete
Rodgers signed his first contract with the Green Bay Packers at the 2005 NFL Draft.
His six-year extension that ran through 2014 banked Rodgers another $65 million. By 2013, the Packers knew they wanted to hold onto their starting quarterback, offering another $110 million. Signing the contract extension made Rodgers the highest-paid player in the NFL in 2013 and again in 2018. Today his estimated net worth is $200 million.
Owns An NBA Team
Aaron Rodgers is the only active NFL player to have partial ownership of an NBA team. He became a limited partner to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team in April 2018.
Although he hasn't revealed exactly how much he investing into the Bucks, the team was purchased for $550 million in 2014.
Variety Of Investments
As if being one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and having a stake in an NBA team wasn't enough, Rodgers has also stepped into the music industry. In 2009 the Green Bay Packers quarterback co-founded a record label with his friend Ryan Zachary.
Based in San Diego, Suspended Sunrise Recordings launched in 2011 when they signed their first band, The Make. Rodgers helped the band shoot their first music video near his hometown of Chico, California.
He Wore a Joe Montana T-Shirt Under His Uniform at Cal
Even the biggest star athletes have idols of their own. For Rodgers, it was 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. Rodgers looked to Joe Montana for inspiration, growing up in Northern California and playing football in Berkeley for Cal.
Rodgers confessed that he even wore a Joe Montana 49ers t-shirt under his Cal football uniform for the two seasons that he played with the team.
Once In A Lifetime Experience Hosting Jeopardy
In 2021, Rodgers stepped in to host Jeopardy for ten episodes, which was a childhood dream come true for the quarterback. He told viewers, "This has been a surreal experience and so very special to me." He also raised $236,725 for charity in the process, donating the combined winnings of contestants to the North Valley Community Foundation.
He was given rave reviews as host and exclaimed how much he enjoyed the experience during the two weeks he appeared on the game show. He was also a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy.
He Was Predicted To Be Picked By His Favorite Team, The 49ers
Growing up in Northern California, Rodgers wanted to play for his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. When he went into the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers was predicted to be the No. 1 overall pick, going to the 49ers. Instead, San Francisco selected quarterback Alex Smith who had a high school championship under his belt and had played with Reggie Bush.
Rodgers became the 24th pick, selected by Green Bay where he's stayed ever since. Things would have turned out differently had he played for the 49ers.
Shaquille O'Neal Cut Off Financial Support From His Son, Told Him He's On His Own
He's Made Millions In Deals With Pizza Hut and State Farm Insurance
Outside of the NFL, Rodgers has income from his endorsements. He made deals with big brands, including Pizza Hut, State Farm Insurance, Adidas, and Sharpie.
Rodgers started making investments and seeking out business deals from his early career beginnings, which has proved to be a smart move for him.
Calling It Quits
Shortly after Valentine's day in 2022, Aaron Rodgers whirlwind romance with actress Shailene Woodley came to the end.
An insider familiar with the couple says Woodley called off the engagement after she became frustrated that Rodgers put football before her.
Drafting His Successor Upset Him
Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers had a great chance in the first round to draft a new weapon for him to throw to. Instead, the franchise drafted Jordan Love, the QB they hope will be his successor.
The move upset Rodgers, who didn't feel at the time he was close to retiring. Taking it as an insult, the next two years were drama filled as Rodgers refused to make clear his long term commitment to Green Bay.
Back On Track In Green Bay?
Aaron Rodgers frustrations with the Packers after drafting QB Jordan Love are well documented. After two years of the organization trying to make things right, it appears that everyone is finally happy.
Speaking after the season, Rodgers gushed about his relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutenkurst. A complete 180 from what had been leaked over a year before.
Famous Friends
Being a superstar NFL player has its perks, including in Hollywood. Aaron Rodgers is close friends with former Office star Brian Baumgartner. The two regularly play golf together and Rodgers even attended Malone's wedding.
The friendship also led to Rodgers having a cameo in the final season of the hit sitcom.
The Kentucky Derby Is One Of His Passions
Outside of football, Aaron Rodgers has several passions. One of his more unexpected passions happens to be the Kentucky Derby. The QB is spotted at the event yearly, and makes bets just like the rest of us do.
In 2018, Rodgers bet on a horse named Audible. Not because the horse was favored to win, but because he loves calling audibles at the line of scrimmage. Get it?
His Connection To Hannibal Lecter
One of Aaron Rodgers biggest fans is Oscar winner and Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster. It was Foster who actually introduced Rodgers to his former fiance Shailene Woodley!
Foster and Woodley played opposite each other in The Mauritanian, which was praised by critics and nominated for five Academy Awards.
A Game Of Thrones Cameo
A who's who of stars made appearances in the final season of Game of Thrones including Aaron Rodgers. He was given a "blink and you'll miss it" moment in the penultimate episode.
Pause the screen at the right time and you'll Rodgers trying to flee as Drogon burns everything to the ground.
Some Call Him A Diva
Not everyone loves Aaron Rodgers. Throughout his career he has earned a reputation as being more about him than the team. Surprisingly, on of his biggest critics is Ron Wolf, Rodgers former boss.
After Rodgers voiced his pubic displeasure in the team, Wolf called the QB a diva. Of course, Wolf wasn't the first to use the term to describe Rodgers, and he won't be the last.
Rodgers Celebrates With A Championship Belt
When Aaron Rodgers scored a touchdown, he celebrates by pretending to put on a championship belt. The move was started by him, and has become synonymous with him.
WWE star Triple H has even shouted out Rodgers for using mimicking the gesture.