Here’s How NFL Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Is Living Like A Champion
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, and he isn't just making money on the football field. At 37-years-old the Super Bowl XLV Champion and MVP has made a life for himself that's far from ordinary.
In February 2021, Rodgers let it slip that he was engaged. Although he didn't reveal her identity right away, you'll recognize his fiancé once you see her. Find out who the star quarterback plans to spend the rest of his life with, how he earns and spends his millions, and whether or not he plans on leaving the Packers.
He Thought About Quitting Football To Study Law
In a 2011 interview with ESPN, Rodgers confessed that he thought about quitting football to study law instead. Without any offers for Division I football scholarships out of high school, Rodgers applied to law school. However, becoming a lawyer wasn't in the cards for the future star quarterback.
Luckily for football fans, Rodgers was rejected from Purdue and Illinois. He saved those college rejection letters and displayed them in the walk-in closet of his Green Bay home as a reminder of how things could have ended up differently.
He Wasn't Offered Any Division I Football Scholarships
It's hard to believe that Aaron Rodgers wasn't recognized for his incredible talent as a quarterback right away. Although he broke every football record at his California high school, Rodgers wasn't offered any scholarships from a Division I football program when he graduated.
He ended up attending junior college instead, leading the Butte Community College football team to a 10-1 record, finishing the season as No. 2 in the nation. Rodgers was recruited to play for the University of California, Berkeley from there.
Packers Fans Panicked When He Listed His Wisconsin Home For Sale
Rodgers moved to the Green Bay area when he was 21-years-old and told ESPN that he is "a proud Wisconsin resident." In 2005 he purchased a home in Suamico, Wisconsin (just outside Green Bay) for $442,500.
He lived in the 4,012 square foot home for part of the year, splitting his time between Wisconsin and California when he wasn't on the road. Packers fans panicked when the quarterback put his home on the market in 2017. Rumors of Rodgers leaving Green Bay sent fans into a flurry but he didn't end up leaving.
He's One of the Highest-Paid Athletes In The World
Rodgers signed his first contract with the Green Bay Packers at the 2005 NFL Draft and has earned over $240 million during his time in the league. His five-year entry-level contract included $7.7 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac.
His six-year extension that ran through 2014 banked Rodgers another $65 million. By 2013, the Packers knew they wanted to hold onto their starting quarterback, offering another $110 million. Signing the contract extension made Rodgers the highest-paid player in the NFL in 2013 and again in 2018. Today his estimated net worth is $120 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
He's The Only Active NFL Player to Have Ownership of an NBA Team
Aaron Rodgers is the only active NFL player to have partial ownership of an NBA team. He became a limited partner to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team in April 2018. Although he hasn't revealed exactly how much he investing into the Bucks, the team was purchased for $550 million in 2014.
Today the team is worth more than $1 billion, according to Sporting News, and Rodgers owns a 1% stake.
Hosting Jeopardy Was "A Surreal Experience"
In April 2021, Rodgers stepped in to host Jeopardy for ten episodes, which was a childhood dream come true for the quarterback. He told viewers, "This has been a surreal experience and so very special to me." He also raised $236,725 for charity in the process, donating the combined winnings of contestants to the North Valley Community Foundation.
He was given rave reviews as host and exclaimed how much he enjoyed the experience during the two weeks he appeared on the game show. He was also a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy.
He Bought A $28 Million Dollar Malibu Mansion With Danica Patrick
Rodgers bought a beachfront home in Malibu, California when he was dating NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. In 2019, the couple decided to purchase the $28 million home together. It might sound like a lot of money but the two athletes could certainly afford it (Patrick has an estimated net worth of $80 million).
After splitting in 2020, it's unclear who owns the Malibu beach house now. According to Lonny, Rodgers and Patrick bought the mansion from singer Robbie Williams. Before Williams lived in the mansion, pop icon Janet Jackson called it home.
He Wore a Joe Montana T-Shirt Under His Uniform at Cal
Even the biggest star athletes have idols of their own. For Rodgers, it was 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. Rodgers looked to Joe Montana for inspiration, growing up in Northern California and playing football in Berkeley for Cal.
Rodgers confessed that he even wore a Joe Montana 49ers t-shirt under his Cal football uniform for the two seasons that he played with the team. Although he's a 3X MVP and 1X Super Bowl Champion and MVP, Rodgers hasn't caught up to Montana's five Super Bowl rings-- yet.
He Owns A Record Label
As if being one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and having a stake in an NBA team wasn't enough, Rodgers has also stepped into the music industry. In 2009 the Green Bay Packers quarterback co-founded a record label with his friend Ryan Zachary.
Based in San Diego, Suspended Sunrise Recordings launched in 2011 when they signed their first band, The Make. Rodgers helped the band shoot their first music video near his hometown of Chico, California.
He Was Predicted To Be Picked By His Favorite Team, The 49ers
Growing up in Northern California, Rodgers wanted to play for his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. When he went into the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers was predicted to be the No. 1 overall pick, going to the 49ers. Instead, San Francisco selected quarterback Alex Smith who had a high school championship under his belt and had played with Reggie Bush.
Rodgers became the 24th pick, selected by Green Bay where he's stayed ever since. Things would have turned out differently had he played for the 49ers.
He's Made Millions In Deals With Pizza Hut and State Farm Insurance
Outside of the NFL, Rodgers has income from his endorsements. He made deals with big brands including Pizza Hut, State Farm Insurance, Adidas, and Sharpie.
Rodgers' partnership with State Farm Insurance alone has earned the quarterback an estimated $2 to $3 million. Now 37-years-old, Rodgers started making investments and seeking out business deals from his early career beginnings, which has proved to be a smart move for the 3X NFL MVP.
Rodgers Drives a Ford F-150
Rodgers appears in State Farm commercials, as part of their partnership deal. Photos taken on set show Rodgers driving his own trucks. He's been filmed driving a Ford F-150 as well as the tricked-out Raptor model with 450 hp and a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine.
There's also an "Aaron Rodgers Signature Edition Ford F-150" that was being sold out of a Ford dealership in Evansville, Wisconsin. The only apparent difference in the Rodgers edition of the 4X4 truck is the emblem featuring the quarterback's signature.
He's Not Happy With The Packers Organization
Rodgers has played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers for the entirety of his NFL career, beginning in 2005. He's won a Super Bowl championship and has a shot at winning another title if he sticks around-- but will he?
During the offseason Rodgers expressed his disappointment with the Packers organization, saying he might not return for the 2021-2022 season. Still locked into his contract, the Packers would need to agree to trade Rodgers, which isn't likely. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst told ESPN, "As we've stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond."
Is He Planning On Leaving Green Bay?
In 2021, Rodgers skipped the voluntary OTA practices for the Green Bay Packers (he vacationed in Hawaii with his fiance and her costar instead). This sparked trade rumors and begged the question if Rodgers would even show up to the mandatory minicamp beginning in June.
Missing the camp would cost Rodgers a $93,085 fine, plus $50,000 for each day that he doesn't show up for training. If Rodgers chooses to leave the Packers, Green Bay will free up $30 million in bonuses plus $14.7 million a year for Rodgers' salary.
The NFL Didn't Buy His Immunization Story
Eight weeks into the 2021 NFL season and news broke that Aaron Rodgers would miss 10 days after testing positive for COVID. The news brought an uproar of criticism towards the QB, who, before the start of the season said he was "immunized."
Rodgers used homeopathic treatment to reach what he felt was a vaccinated status, but the league denied his requested exemption. League analysts, including Terry Bradshaw, did not mince words, calling Rodgers a "liar." State Farm, his biggest sponsor, showed public support for Rodgers.
Rodgers Broke His Silence In An Interview with ESPN
After skipping out on Packers OTA practices, Rodgers finally surfaced for an interview with Kenny Mayne on SportsCenter. In the interview, the quarterback emphasized that he was unhappy with how the organization was treating the players, saying "culture is built brick by brick, the foundation of it by the people, not by the organization."
Following the interview, ESPN NFL Insider Jeff Darlington said it sounded like Rodgers was ending it with the Packers after a movie reference he made. "Anybody who's seen that scene knows that they weren't in marriage counseling at that point-- they were going through the full divorce. They were done. It was over. And I truly believe, in Rodgers' head, it's over."
His Engagement Came as a Surprise
Rodgers surprised everyone when he casually mentioned that he was engaged while accepting an award for the 2020 NFL MVP. Without identifying his future wife by name, Rodgers said, "2020 was definitely a crazy year, filled with lots of change, growth, and some amazing moments... I got engaged and I played some of the best football of my career."
Again he thanked "my fiancé" at the end of his speech, but who was the mystery woman?
His Fiancé is Actress Shailene Woodley
The Green Bay quarterback and "Big Little Lies" actress Shailene Woodley confirmed their engagement in February 2021 when appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The news broke just days after fans caught on to the fact that the two stars were dating.
A source told People "They started off as friends, but things have turned romantic." The couple said that wearing masks during the pandemic helped keep their relationship a secret, as they had been engaged for a while. Woodley admits that although she's not a football fan and has never been to a game, she's head over heels for the quarterback. He proposed with a ring that's worth an estimated $500,000 with 6 carats.
They Wanted To Keep Their Romance "Low Key"
37-year-old Rodgers is focused on the NFL season ahead with the Green Bay Packers, while 29-year-old Shailene Woodley is busy with her acting career, spending time in Montreal filming the crime movie Misanthrope.
E! News broke the story that the couple was engaged on February 3, 2021. The anonymous source told the publication, "They have kept things private and low-key. They're focused on their careers but they also make time for each other."
He Dated Danica Patrick, Who Was Devastated When They Broke Up
Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick dated for two years before calling it quits. The breakup came as a surprise to some, as Patrick had made it sound like the couple was going to become engaged after talking with Jenny McCarthy on her SiriusXM show.
Patrick was devastated over the breakup, while Rodgers seemed to move on swimmingly. Following their split, Rodgers said that he was "in lot better headspace." Interestingly enough, Patrick was reportedly the one who introduced Rodgers to his now-fiancé, Shailene Woodley.
He Also Dated Actress Olivia Munn
Shailene Woodley isn't the first actress that the quarterback has been involved with. Rodgers dated actress Olivia Munn from 2014 until 2017. His relationship with Munn lasted more than a few years but didn't result in a ring. Rodgers told ESPN that scrutiny from the media had a negative impact on their high-profile relationship.
When news broke of Rodgers' engagement to Woodley, a source close to Munn told Hollywood Life, "Olivia's thoughts on Aaron Rodgers as an ex and anything more has no existence in Olivia's mind. She really is paying zero attention to the situation, she has her own life to worry about."
Four MVP's And Counting
As the 2021 NFL wrapped up it became clear that the MVP was either going to go to Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers incredible season in Green Bay earned him the prize, the fourth of his career.
Playing the best football of his life in his late 30s makes it clear that Rodgers isn't close to retiring. The real question is this - how many more MVP awards will he win?
Division Round Heartbreak
With his MVP award locked up, Aaron Rodgers turned his attention to the playoffs, hoping to finally win his second Super Bowl. Playing at home in freezing temperatures against the San Francisco 49ers should have been a slam dunk win the QB.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. The 49ers special teams came through in the 4th quarter, and the team squeaked past the Packers 13-10. It was the fourth time Aaron Rodgers was knocked out the playoffs because of the 49ers.
Calling It Quits
Shortly after Valentines day in 2022, Aaron Rodgers whirlwind romance with actress Shailene Woodley came to the end. She supported him throughout his immunization troubles, but something was still off.
An insider familiar with the couple says Woodley called of the engagement after she became frustrated that Rodgers put football before her.
Drafting His Successor Upset Him
Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers had a great chance in the first round to draft a new weapon for him to throw to. Instead, the franchise drafted Jordan Love, the QB they hope will be his successor.
The move upset Rodgers, who didn't feel at the time he was close to retiring. Taking it as an insult, the next two years were drama filled as Rodgers refused to make clear his long term commitment to Green Bay
Back On Track In Green Bay?
Aaron Rodgers frustrations with the Packers after drafting QB Jordan Love are well documented. After two years of the organization trying to make things right, it appears that everyone is finally happy.
Speaking after the season, Rodgers gushed about his relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutenkurst. A complete 180 from what had been leaked over a year before.
Famous Friends
Being a superstar NFL player has its perks, including in Hollywood. Aaron Rodgers is close friends with former Office star Brian Baumgartner. The two regularly play golf together and Rodgers even attended Malone's wedding.
The friendship also led to Rodgers having a cameo in the final season of the hit sitcom.
He Tries To Tune Out The Negative
One of the longtime faces of the NFL, Aaron Rodgers was asked about his stance on negative critiques towards athletes during the Colin Kaepernick headlines. Rodgers said:
"I think that the more that we give credence to stuff like that, the more it's going to live on. I think if we can learn to ignore or not respond to stuff like that — if we can — it takes away the power of statements like that."
The Kentucky Derby Is One Of His Passions
Outside of football, Aaron Rodgers has several passions. One of his more unexpected passions happens to be the Kentucky Derby. The QB is spotted at the event yearly, and makes bets just like the rest of us do.
In 2018, Rodgers bet on a horse named Audible. Not because the horse was favored to win, but because he loves calling audibles at the line of scrimmage. Get it?
His Connection To Hannibal Lecter
One of Aaron Rodgers biggest fans is Oscar winner and Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster. It was Foster who actually introduced Rodgers to Shailene Woodley!
Foster and Woodley played opposite each other in The Mauritanian, which was praised by critics and nominated for five Academy Awards.
A Game Of Thrones Cameo
A who's who of stars made appearances in the final season of Game of Thrones including Aaron Rodgers. He was given a "blink and you'll miss it" moment in the penultimate episode.
Pause the screen at the right time and you'll Rodgers trying to flee as Drogon burns everything to the ground.
Some Call Him A Diva
Not everyone loves Aaron Rodgers. Throughout his career he has earned a reputation as being more about him than the team. Surprisingly, on of his biggest critics is Ron Wolf, Rodgers former boss.
After Rodgers voiced his pubic displeasure in the team, Wolf called the QB a diva. Of course, Wolf wasn't the first to use the term to describe Rodgers, and he won't be the last.
Rodgers Celebrates With A Championship Belt
When Aaron Rodgers scored a touchdown, he celebrates by pretending to put on a championship belt. The move was started by him, and has become synonymous with him.
WWE star Triple H has even shouted out Rodgers for using mimicking the gesture.
