Aaron Rodgers took a holistic strategy to an extremely tumultuous offseason.
During a news conference Monday, the Green Bay Packers quarterback talked for a long time about the means taken to improve and protect his mental health in the midst of inquiries concerning his long-term future with the NFL franchise.
The comments came in front of “The Match,” a charity golf exhibition Tuesday that will include Rodgers and Bryson DeChambeau contending with Phil Mickelson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana.
Rodgers, who is moving toward his 17th year with the Packers, said he has focused on the best way to deal with his spiritual and mental states.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work on my mental health,” Rodgers said. “I haven’t dealt with bouts of depression or anything, that I think for whatever reason, are OK to talk about if you’re talking about mental health. I’ve just really been trying to think about what puts me in the best frame of mind. What habits can I form that allow me to feel most in my body, most present, happiest? And that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Rodgers, 37, is amidst an extremely public rift between himself and the association. The three-time MVP didn’t participate in the team’s mandatory minicamp and missed Green Bay’s offseason program. In his restricted media comments this offseason, Rodgers has been secretive in regards to the reports that began when ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially wrote about the circumstance minutes before the beginning of April’s NFL draft.
On Monday, Rodgers utilized a precept.
“Sometimes the loudest person in the room is not the smartest person,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes the loudest person in the room is not the person who has all the facts on their side or the truth on their side. Sometimes there’s a lot of wisdom in silence. Sometimes there’s a lot of wisdom in being selective on what you say.”
In any case, in Rodgers’ extended response toward the finish of his media session, the quarterback talked generally on mental health and how it is examined. He said there has frequently been a “weird stigma” on talking about the subject on the off chance that one isn’t referring to depression or self-harm. Rodgers said he has taken in a lot about having a positive mental state this offseason and was grateful for Tuesday’s exhibition pairing him with DeChambeau, one of the most polarizing figures in golf.
“I think he’s often like myself sometimes,” Rodgers said. “I think he’s a little misunderstood with his own career. I’m excited for him to get the opportunity for people to see him, because I think he’s a great dude.”
Rodgers said he has played a total of eight rounds since last August and acknowledges aspects of his game will be examined on national TV. In any case, during Monday’s news conference, Rodgers said he was anticipating playing with DeChambeau and having some good times against Mickelson and Brady.
“The mental side of it is so important for all of us athletes,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think it’s talked about enough. But taking time to work on yourself is, I think, the best gift any of us can give ourselves.”
