NFL: Aaron Rodgers Talks About Michael Jordan Comparison
Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is humbly refusing to be compared to the NBA great Michael Jordan.
Rodgers, the 31-year-old quarterback who was drafted in 2005 by the Packers, felt that he was not worthy to be perceived as someone with the same level of greatness as his basketball idol, whom he saw played in person in 1997 against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena, delivering 33 points for the Chicago Bulls, ESPN reported.
"Well, I appreciate the kind words. I don't know if the comparison is ... I'm not worthy of that comparison. I enjoyed watching Michael. I was a big fan as a kid," Rodgers said.
However, for his teammates, backup quarterback Scott Tolzien and receiver James Jones, he is surely like Michael Jordan playing in his best years.
"It's like watching Jordan in his prime. He's at the top of his game. He makes it all go," Tolzien told ESPN Milwaukee after witnessing Rodgers deliver five touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs on Lambeau field in week three, a key to their 38-28 win.
Jones agreed to Tolzien and shared he is amazed how Rodgers create "something special" whenever he goes out on the field.
Outside linebacker Julius Peppers, who is marking this year as his 14th season in the league, wishes he has "a guy like him" in his previous teams and advises fans to enjoy watching Rodgers while he is still here and "don't take it for granted," especially with Rodgers making his plays look like easy ones even though they are not.
Even Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who has trained Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Packers' retired great passer Brett Favre, commends how his quarterback is such a gifted player.
"I've never seen a quarterback or been a part of quarterback play at this level...his command, his responsibility level is higher than it's ever been. His production, to me, is higher than it's ever been," the coach told Packers News in December last year.
The two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion is even getting better, a separate Packers News noted. The quarterback, who is last season's NFL MVP, is always intending to "score every time a defensive penalty provides a 'free' play," notes the outlet. His coach describes his "ability to maximize defensive mistakes" as rare.
"His ability to process information is as good as I've ever been around, and I've been blessed to be around great quarterbacks, " McCarthy said.
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