During a recent podcast appearance, Aaron Rodgers bared his soul, revealing his fears about his football career coming to an abrupt end after tearing his left Achilles tendon in the New York Jets’ season opener.
Rodgers, who switched sides from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets last offseason after 18 years with the Packers, suffered the injury just four plays into his debut with New York on September 11.
In a 2 1/2-hour interview on the “I Can Fly” podcast released on Tuesday, the 40-year-old quarterback shared his thought process during those initial moments of despair. He admitted, “I was really thinking, ‘This is it. You don’t come back from this injury.'”
Reflecting on the disappointment of a promising offseason in a new city with new teammates cut short after just four plays, Rodgers called it “one of the most heartbreaking nights” of his life. He emphasized the struggle of overcoming his ego in such challenging circumstances.
To find hope and inspiration, Rodgers turned to Kobe Bryant’s recovery from a similar injury during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. This helped ease the initial despair about his own career prospects.
The seasoned quarterback also opened up about his emotional plea to close friends for support during his rehabilitation journey. “I need help. This is going to be really hard,” he admitted.
After undergoing surgery the day after the injury, Rodgers embarked on an intense rehabilitation program supported by prayer, dietary changes, and unwavering support from his inner circle.
Although determined to make a comeback before the end of the regular season if the Jets were still in playoff contention, Rodgers eventually had to halt his return attempt in January due to lingering recovery issues and the team’s elimination from the playoffs.
Looking forward, Jets coach Robert Saleh indicated Rodgers’ progress towards participating in voluntary organized team activities next month, raising hopes for his return to the field.
Expressing his eagerness to get back to playing, Rodgers emphasized his love for the game and his desire to compete on the field, which he considers his “happy place”. He expressed gratitude for personal growth amidst adversity, reflecting on the transformative journey since his injury and the valuable lessons learned.
“With a lot changing for the better in my life since that heartbreaking moment in the Jets locker room, I can’t help but feel grateful to the universe for all the beauty that has unfolded in the last six months,” concluded Rodgers.
