As expected, Aaron Rodgers won his fourth Most Valuable Player award at the NFL Honors show on Thursday night. But with his trophy also guaranteed going into the evening, the big story was: What would Rodgers say at the microphone? The answer: not much, as the most controversial and conversation-starting part of his big moment was merely his outfit.
Rodgers' win Thursday gives the Packers quarterback the second most MVP awards in NFL history, just behind Peyton Manning – who presented Rodgers his trophy during the awards show – with five. Rodgers' was the odds-on favorite to win MVP, with pretty much only Tom Brady still in the debate by the end. Rodgers finished the season with 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and league-leading 69.2 QBR with just four interceptions, helping guide the Packers to a league-best 13-4 record and to yet another postseason appearance, where we don't talk about what happened.
With the MVP award almost a certainty, the real drama was what would Rodgers say at the podium. Would he rail some more about how he was "canceled" while on stage surrounded by cameras on a nationally televised awards show? Would he hint about his destination next season? Would he give Jodie Foster another shoutout? The answer to all of those questions: no.
Here’s #Packers MVP Aaron Rodgers’ full acceptance speech including a thank you to Mark Murphy and Brian Gutekunst. pic.twitter.com/4uNTB4dar2 — Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) February 11, 2022
Dressed like a door-to-door vacuum salesman, Rodgers used his time to mainly just thank his teams, on and off the field, leading off his acceptance speech with a thanks to the Packers – from the front office to the fans to head coach Matt LaFleur's beautifully manicured eyebrows. Then, when asked about his future after the awards show, Rodgers said he hasn't made a decision yet.
Aaron Rodgers in his MVP presser:
"I have not made any decision yet. I've been easing into the offseason and excited about being here tonight. It feels like a dream, surreal for sure, to be sitting here as a four-time MVP." — Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 11, 2022
You can chew and analyze Rodgers' words about "an amazing 17 years – so thankful for the memories and moments" both during and after the awards show as much as you'd like, but the reality is Rodgers didn't say much of note Thursday night. After a long season of non-stop drama and quote analysis, I'll take it.
In even better Packers news from the NFL Honors, Green Bay legend LeRoy Butler finally received his call to the NFL Hall of Fame, entering the halls of Canton as a member of the 2022 class.
An incredible moment. LeRoy Butler, introduced by Brett Favre, cheered by Aaron Rodgers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/1aQjKSFFIC — Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) February 11, 2022
Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more Rodgers updates – and enjoy the Super Bowl this weekend. Go ... Bengals?
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.
