PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s hard to find a comparable to Pittsburgh sports, one player who so tormented a team in its own division the way Aaron Rodgers did to Chicago. Maybe Albert Pujols with the St. Louis Cardinals, but that is the only one that comes to mind.
As the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers was 11-3 all-time in Soldier Field and is 24-5 all-time against the Bears, add another two wins with no losses in the playoffs.
“When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time series lead,” Rodgers said with some pride. “When I left, the Packers did. Since J. Love has taken over, it's even gotten better. But I hope those fans can put that behind them.”
He knows they won’t. The 41-year-old went on to say, he’s enjoyed many a Sunday, Monday or even Thursday in Chicago.
“It's a great sports town, phenomenal sports fans and great place to play,” Rodgers said.
Whether he will play or not is the question right now. Rodgers did not practice on Wednesday, although he does feel better. He has a fracture on his left (non-throwing) wrist. He hopes to practice on Thursday as he is also trying to find the right brace to wear. Rodgers said it’s not about pain tolerance, rather he’s got to feel like he can protect himself.
Rodgers knows what he’s getting into, 670 The Score in Chicago Bears reporter Mark Grote said the fans are hoping he plays and the decibels in that stadium will jump when he takes the field. Does Rodgers thrive off being the villain there?
“I'd rather not be,” Rodgers said. “I mean, I'm not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones, maybe. I can, I guess.”
“It's been a great rivalry. I'm mean, in the history of all sports, you talk about the Lakers and the Celtics and the Red Sox and the Yankees. You've got to talk about Packers and the Bears. And there's been some great memories there.”
“But I hope those fans can put that behind them”
Rodgers then said he’s sure they can’t and he doesn’t expect them to. It doesn’t seem like he really wants them to. Although the California native tried to play to their hearts at bit.
“I really enjoy the city,” Rodgers said. “They got great sportsmen. I grew up watching WGN on my five channel TV back in the day, so I was a Cubs fan and a Bulls fan. How can I be a Bulls fan unless you don't like Michael Jordan? I did, I love them.”
“So it was a lot of fun memories over the years playing there.”
If this is indeed the final season for Rodgers, wouldn’t it be right for one more game in Chicago?