Being expected to replace a legend causes fear in not only the heir apparent, but also the fan base who religiously follows his/her beloved team. Often times teams will suggest a young and unproven player will be more than capable of such a challenge. However, as we all have seen throughout the years, not many of the so called “saviors” fulfill their destiny. A wide array of variables, such as the player’s lack of ability, injuries suffered, a severe deficiency of supporting cast, or management issues, affect the athlete’s career significantly. For a player to reach his/her desired execution levels, everything must fall perfectly into place. For Aaron Rodgers, the weight of expectations placed on his shoulders by the Green Bay Packers and its rabid fan base could have easily caused him to crumble. In winning Super Bowl XLV, Rodgers displayed that his perceived potential was far less in comparison to his actual ability.
Make no mistake; Brett Favre earned his place in NFL lore. His gunslinging ways and incredible fortitude to take the field no matter the state of his physical stature have been duly noted. However, knowing that no one can play forever, with the 24th overall selection in the 2005 entry draft, the Green Bay Packers chose Aaron Rodgers. Not expected to take the helm immediately, Rodgers was not thrown into the fire like other young quarterbacks who have fallen on their faces and failed miserably. That infamous list is littered with names that we have either have surely forgotten, or who haunt us to this very day. If you get queazy knowing your team’s draft bust may be listed next, I invite you to skip the next few lines. I do not want to cause the nightmares to reoccur; the need to revisit the psychiatrist to appear; or be forced to wear a funny white jacket while seated in a padded room. We all have made tremendous strides in our recoveries and to shatter that would serve no purpose whatsoever. In order to keep the chances of us slipping into panic mode at bay, I will only refer to only a selected few round one draft day busts: Ryan Leaf, Heath Shuler, Akili Smith, and most recently, JaMarcus Russell. For those brave enough to go back down memory lane, I think it is safe to agree that the quarterbacks selected in the first round have a relatively equal chance of success and failure.
In today’s sporting world, it is unusual for a player to wait and bide his time sitting on the sidelines without causing a stir. While Aaron Rodgers had to wait until the 2008 season to be anointed the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, his patience was extraordinary. Every year, Brett Favre would tease not only the fan base, but the entire sports world with his “retirement” decision. Constantly switching his stance and changing his mind was a mainstay on SportsCenter and littered all over media outlets. Despite his uncertainty, Brett Favre was given a long leash by society, for he was a throw back type of player, who achieved tremendous individual statistics through his “only wanting to play” attitude. So every year Rodgers had to sit and wait and see how the offseason would play out. Would he ever get his chance? Would he be eventually traded? The reigns were eventually passed to Rodgers due to Favre selfishly waiting too long in announcing his “un”retirement. The Green Bay Packers faithful held their collective breath and tied the noose around their necks just in case of catastrophe.
It is funny how things work out in the end. Armageddon did not happen in the wake of Brett Favre’s departure. All is well in Green Bay, Wisconsin this fine Monday morning. The demise of the world did not come to fruition last night. Finally, the rascal driven by Brett Favre no longer casts a shadow on the organization. In winning Super Bowl XLV, Aaron Rodgers slayed the beast. By leading the team to the ultimate goal, he will no doubt create large shoes for his successor to fill. Years from now Packers management may be faced asking the following question, “Who can replace a man who led his team to glory?” The fan base will scream, “Aaron Rodgers is a legend! It cannot happen!” After climbing to their respective rooftops, pondering whether to jump, the Cheeseheads will whisper in a sigh of relief, “Oh wait, it has already happened before.”
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