Home News New book gives insight into Aaron Rodgers’ history of defying the odds

New book gives insight into Aaron Rodgers’ history of defying the odds


Last November, two and a half months after his Achilles surgery, the Jets opened Aaron Rodgers‘ 21-day practice window.

Rodgers later spoke to reporters for 24 minutes on why he tried to defy the odds and return in the same season.

“Why?” Rodgers said. “Do you know my history? It’s never been a why try, it’s why not.”

Rodgers ultimately didn’t return to the field last season because the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15 by the Dolphins. He was later placed on the 53-man roster  so he could practice with the team, but he was still less than 100%.

FILE - New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Rodgers spoke to local reporters Thursday, Nov. 30, and said he's not yet close to being able to play after tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets on Sept. 11. But he also left open the door for him to be back under center before his initial goal of Dec. 24, saying he plans to ramp up his practice activities next week. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Aaron Rodgers. who missed all but four plays last season, has been trying to defy the odds since his high school days.

After reading Ian O’Connor’s soon-to-be-published unauthorized biography, “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers” we now have more insight into Rodgers’ history and why he has always persevered when the odds were stacked against him.

According to the book, Rodgers suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while playing pickup basketball while he was a sophomore at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif. It wasn’t a complete tear in his knee, but a doctor wanted Rodgers to give up football completely, which, of course, didn’t happen.

“I think it was the beginning of people telling me I couldn’t do stuff,” Rodgers said in the book. “I said, ‘All right, we’ll see about that.’”

Rodgers weight-trained his knee to avoid significant surgery, but had a more minor procedure to help stabilize his knee.

Defying the odds has been nothing new for Rodgers throughout his football journey. He attracted little interest from Division I programs coming out of high school. Because of that, Rodgers attended Butte Community College before transferring to the University of California.

After arriving at Berkeley, Rodgers quickly made an impression on his Golden Bear teammates.

“He was in [California coach Jeff] Tedford’s office 10 hours a day watching film,” former Cal offensive lineman Andrew Cameron said in the book. “It was nuts to think about what he did.

“He took on a pro-style offense with one of the best coaches in the game and learned it.”

Rodgers passed for 5,469 yards, 43 touchdowns and 13 interceptions at Cal before being selected 24th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers.

Other interesting details released in the book include:

– The book details the 49ers passing over Rodgers and selecting Alex Smith No. 1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Growing up in Chico, Rodgers was a huge fan of Joe Montana and the 49ers. On one of his team visits ahead of the draft, Rodgers spent time with then-49ers offensive coordinator and later his coach with the Packers, Mike McCarthy.

“I really felt like after my interview with the 49ers that there was no way that they wouldn’t pick me,” Rodgers said. “It was going to be a perfect pick, me and San Francisco, my childhood team, and I was going to be wearing red and gold. I know I asked them straight up what they were going to do, and he said,” ‘I think we’re going to pick you,’ which I never forgot.”

– One of the book’s final chapters looks back at Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury last season and how he regretted holding on to the ball too long after having Garrett Wilson open on a slant route. “I should have thrown it to Garrett,” Rodgers said. “That’s how I look at it.”

O’Connor’s book will be released on Tuesday.

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