Aaron Rodgers: Stepping Out of Brett Favre's Shadow

It isn't easy living in the shadow of a legend.  Just ask Brian Greise, Jay Fiedler or any of the other numerous quarterbacks to play after of one of the game's greatest quarterbacks.  The fans get used to winning.  They get used to that same jersey number walking out onto the field and that same jersey number making play after play to help their team win. 

Brian Greise could never wear No. 7 for the Denver Broncos.  Jay Fiedler could never wear No. 12 for the Miami Dolphins.  No one could live up to the expectation of the next Marino or the next Elway.

Aaron Rodgers will never wear No. 4 for the Green Bay Packers.  He will never throw for 70,000 yards or 500 touchdowns.  Aaron Rodgers will never start 297 consecutive games.  He will never live up to expectations placed upon him.  But that's okay because No. 12 has made us forget about No. 4 for at least a week and has shown that No. 12 might be three times better than No. 4.

With a win on Sunday afternoon, Aaron Rodgers took a giant step out of the shadow of Brett Favre.  Playing in three straight road playoff games, Aaron Rodgers has been nearly unstoppable.  Even with Sunday's less-than-stellar performance, he still has a quarterback rating of 109.2 and has accounted for eight total touchdowns.  More importantly is that he has gone into three hostile stadiums and come out victorious.

Aaron Rodgers has done what few, if any, quarterbacks have been able to do.  He has replaced a Hall of Fame quarterback almost seamlessly.  Sure, he has thrown interceptions, lost fumbles, been sacked and lost football games.  But this year, he has not only won football games, but he has also won the respect of a city, state and country.  Even with his goofy looking beard and silly championship belt celebration, Aaron Rodgers has reminded a fanbase what it's like to be part of something special.

A legend isn't forgotten in a day, month or year.  That's why they are called a legend.  No one will forget what Brett Favre did for the Green Bay Packers.  I'm not asking that they do.  All I'm asking is that on February 6th when Aaron Rodgers leads his team onto the field, we forget about No. 4 for just a night.  We forget all of Brett Favre's accomplishments and bask in the glorious light of No. 12.