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Up until now, Aaron Rodgers had done everything right since becoming the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback following Brett Favre’s retirement.

He’s been to every minicamp, through all the organzied team activity practices. He’s been working out with teammates at his house during the offseason to build relationships.

Now, when Sports Illustrated hits bookshelves across the state today, he’s surely going to tick off several Packers fans with a quote he gave to writer Chris Ballard.

“I don’t feel I need to sell myself to the fans,” Rodgers is quoted. “They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut.”

On Tuesday that quote was in the center of controversy — dominating the talk-radio airwaves, Internet blogs and several local TV sportscasts after Sports Illustrated released an advance copy of the story to the media. By day’s end, his voicemail was full and could no longer accept any new messages.

“I love playing in Green Bay. I love the city of Green Bay. I love playing in a city that expects greatness. I love my interaction with the fans. I love being in the community and spending time with them,” Rodgers said Tuesday night when reached by phone. “That’s my only regret with this story breaking, that anyone would take offense to what I said. Anything that makes it look like I don’t care about what the fans think about me is off base. That’s the biggest disappointment.”

The article also lumps him in with guys who struggled to replace legendary NFL quarterbacks like Marty Domres, Richard Todd, Cliff Stoudt, Brian Griese and Jay Fiedler. All those veterans share their horror stories of following Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway and Dan Marino, respectively.

None does so more good-naturedly than Scott Hunter, who followed Bart Starr as the Packers’ quarterback in 1972. He suggests the group be known as the “We Followed Legends Club” with a motto of “We Carried Coffee for (Fill in Blank).”

They don’t hang together, but Hunter thinks that would be fun.

The veterans’ advice to Rodgers: Don’t change. Be yourself.

Rodgers declined to say whether he was misquoted or if the quote was taken out of context.

“The hardest thing today — and I’ve been pretty bummed out, to be honest — is that I honestly care about the fans. I do. They make the team go,” Rodgers said. “Hopefully our fans know how I really feel about them. Hopefully they think about the interactions I’ve had with them. I can’t think of a single time where I’ve had a negative experience with a fan. That’s my biggest fear — that people look at the quote and say, ‘The guy’s arrogant, he hasn’t done anything yet.’”

“I realize that I haven’t done anything yet. I’ve played one good game in the NFL in three years, and otherwise I’ve been a backup.

“I’m going to let each individual search their own heart and let them decide what they think the question was or what questions were asked (to lead to the quote). To break down the quote as best as I can, the message I wanted to get out was, ‘Let’s move past myself, because it’s not about me. Let’s get on board with the Green Bay Packers of 2008.’ I know the fans will cheer me or boo me depending on how I play. But let’s not make it (only) about me, even though I’m at the most scrutinized position on field.”

The new issue of Sports Illustrated, with San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum on the cover, reaches newsstands today.

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

Mike Milliken wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:17 PM:

" Damm Rogers messed up and just should of kept his mouth shut and played the start of the season before he even said anything. He probally won't be as good as #4 Brett Farve but who knows because there might never be another gun slinger that can play as long as he did in the NFL but he does have some big shoes to fill. I guess time will tell with Rogers. I think Brett Farve should maybe be a comintator or maybe be a coach in the NFL because he would be damm good at either of the choices.

Bend,Oregon "

Racyman wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:49 PM:

" That's a good way to win over the hearts of the fans while trying to replace a legend. Stupid and selfish comment. "

Jim Nievar wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:15 PM:

" Oh my! We all, remember that people, we all say things that just come out the wrong way Look at yourself before you jump on Aaron, and if you're going to go after him, then may I quote Aaron, "shut up". "

huskernina wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:50 PM:

" rogers will never be a Bret F and if #4 wants to come back he needs to step a side thats his young team that is going to the playoffs and win this year...right now rodgers hasnt proved to us he is a winner yet "

manny tress wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:49 PM:

" You packer fans are WAY to important to yourselves "

Ken wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:59 PM:

" Give the Kid a chance, its hard enought without the pressure of replacing a legend.

Look at it this way, who do the Bears, Loins and Viking have???? "

Packer Backer wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Wont matter Favre is coming back to win it all anyways. Mr. Rodgers please find the clip board and assume the position! "

Mike wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I think that the quote is right on. The fan that balks at any change and gets on the band wagon when things are going good, but jumps off the wagon at the first sign of storm clouds is not really a fan. The fans that follow their teams constantly, through the ups and downs are the real fans, so like wise I say get on the wagon and stay their or shup up. "

Brian Juno wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:53 PM:

" I don't care the context he(Rodgers) is speaking in, I just want him out there, on the field giving us the fans 100% Brett would of said anything he wanted, yet we knew that after it is said and done with we got exactly what we were looking for "

Jonathan Smith wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:52 PM:

" This whole article is idiotic. You have to make something out of nothing. Wow.....you're reaching with this one. I've been a Packers fan for years, and I see nothing wrong with AR's comment. He is just trying to rally us around him and the team. Get a life!!! "

paul wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:39 PM:

" Rodgers player hater. lol. "

Raquel wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:29 PM:

" He has every right to say what he did! He's not brett!!!!! people need to get that in there brains. Brett was done in March and he's not coming back.... hello, like what Brett said im doing NOTHING! Everyone needs to grow up and get over Brett Favre!! "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.