Aaron Rodgers hits out at the ‘s***bags’ who created his ‘selfish’ reputation, says Hard Knocks allowed fans to see ‘the real him’ – and opens up about his ‘brand new roster’ with the New York Jets
- Aaron Rodgers will make his NFL debut for the New York Jets on Monday night
- Hard Knocks allowed the quarterback to change the perception of his character
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Aaron Rodgers has taken aim at the “s***bags” who have sullied his reputation as the quarterback prepares for his long-awaited debut with the New York Jets.
The 39-year-old is enjoying a “new chapter” after nearly two decades with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets will begin their 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
Rodgers has long been a polarizing figure and has built a reputation for, among other things, being “selfish.”
Over the course of this preseason, however, Rodgers has improved his public image — thanks in part to the Hard Knocks cameras that have followed the Jets in recent months.
The quarterback is grateful that the series allowed fans a glimpse of who he “always was” – versus the image that developed over the years.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers took aim at the ‘s***bags’ who sullied his reputation
The 39-year-old is experiencing a “new chapter” in New York after nearly two decades in Green Bay.
“Some assholes painted a certain picture of me that probably isn’t rooted in a lot of truth,” Rodgers told Fox Sports.
“I built a reputation for a while… a lot of people tried to jump me. It didn’t work, you couldn’t hold me back. And I’m grateful that people can see me.
“It’s not a whole new me, I wasn’t acting for a TV show, I was just who I always am. It was the first time in 19 years that someone had captured it in this way.
He added: “It’s a new chapter, I got a whole new roster, to let these guys get to know who I am – my leadership style, my energy, myself. I never got the chance to participate in Hard Knocks.
But Rodgers was initially skeptical about his appearance on the show. “I definitely was. I just thought it was super distracting and hard for guys to be authentic,” he said.
“But I found the experience really fun, not invasive.”
“I built a reputation for myself… a lot of people tried to jump me. It didn’t work,” Rodgers said.
All eyes will be on the quarterback when the Bills visit Metlife Stadium on Monday night. The four-time MVP believes the Jets are one of a dozen teams that have a real chance of making the Super Bowl and admitted there will be “a lot of butterflies” come game time.
“It makes you feel alive,” he said.
“It’s just a new chapter, that (Packers) chapter has been closed. It’s been beautiful… there’s obviously more eyes on us, a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon – which I I love it.
“A lot of people are willing to fire a few shots. It’s exciting. We love all the support, we welcome all the skepticism, it’s a really exciting time to be a New York Jet and a Jets fan.
