Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers QB Shapes His Own Legacy

When Aaron Rodgers was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, it is doubtful that he envisioned himself being a backup quarterback for three seasons.  It is also doubtful that he envisioned himself one win away from having the same amount of Super Bowl rings as the man he watched play for those three seasons. 

Rodgers has finally emerged from behind the shadows of Brett Favre and painted himself as one of the league's elite quarterbacks. 

He can only go up from here.

He is currently not only the NFL all-time career leader in regular season passer rating (98.4), but he is now leader of a team once led by one of the most renowned football coaches of all time, Curley Lambeau.  Every article and television story talks about Rodgers finally finding his place as a legendary quarterback in Packers history.

The role of a quarterback is more than just the man who takes the snaps.  He leads the team, he executes the game-winning plays, he tells his teammates what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. 

When you think of a team, you often think of its quarterback: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins, Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers.  These correlations mean legendary. 

A quarterback usually wins the regular season MVP award as well as the Super Bowl MVP award. His reputation on and off the field can represent an entire team and what they stand for.  Everyone who watches sports, young or old, male or female, strives to feel what a triumphant quarterback feels when he suits up for a game.

After seeing how far the Packers have come this season, Rodgers fills the large shoes of Packers quarterback, and then some.

In a city where championships and its football team are synonymous, 2011 may end the 15-year Super Bowl victory drought that Green Bay is currently experiencing.  Rogers has been electric over the past few games, throwing daggers to his receivers and making memorable plays.

Although some may argue whether or not he is currently the NFL’s best quarterback, he is one of two quarterbacks left to play in the biggest game of any professional football player’s career.  And with one more win, he will put his name up there with many of the most recognizable names in football history.

Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders are made, they are not born.  They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” 

It is definitely Aaron Rodgers’ goal to reach this pinnacle point in his football career.  I believe on February 6^th he will undoubtedly do so.