Throwback: Front page fame for Aaron Rodgers’ early basketball prowess at age 9

When Aaron Rodgers was with the Green Bay Packers, he used to be in constant limelight due to his dominance on the field. Now, the team has found their newly found love in Jordan Love, and A-Rod has teamed with the New York Jets to lead their offense. While the Packers are grappling with a 7-8 record with Love, the Jets are having a much worse scenario with a 6-10 record.

The Jets woes compounded as Rodgers has been out of the squad throughout the season after tearing his Achilles. Keeping aside the turbulent career of the quarterback in the NFL, he once managed to hit the headlines due to his basketball skills.

Rodgers graces front page at 9 with basketball skills

Aaron Rodgers is no stranger to the world of basketball. Though he has an illustrious football career, he has consistently showcased his affection for the game of hoops. This passion for basketball has been an intrinsic part of his life, as exemplified by his ownership stake in the Milwaukee Bucks and his unwavering admiration for basketball icon Kobe Bryant.

However, what many may not know is that A-Rod’s affinity for basketball dates back to his early years. A budding 9-year-old named Rodgers made a remarkable appearance on the front page of the Ukiah Daily Journal in 1993. The headline boldly proclaimed, ‘Free throws are his forte,’ along with a charming photograph capturing the innocence of the then-kid. His distinctive dimpled smile lit up the page, which was yet to be shadowed by the signature mustache he would later sport.

This coverage wasn’t just a mere acknowledgement, as it celebrated Aaron Rodgers remarkable feat in becoming the Ukiah Elks Lodge’s district winner in their annual basketball Hoop Shoot contest, a win that hadn’t been achieved since the 1970s. What was more interesting is that he clinched this honor by outshooting five competitors in an intense “shoot-off,” marking his first headlining achievement in the world of sports before becoming an icon in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers reflects on iconic meeting in locker room

When Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the opening drive of the Jets’ season, the world witnessed a different kind of determination. As aforementioned, A-Rod is a huge fan boy of Kobe Bryant, and he also found solace and motivation in Bryant’s own journey back from a similar injury.

In a recent appearance on Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” pregame show ahead of the Jets’ clash against the Cleveland Browns, the 40-year-old star opened up about the crucial moment that guided his path to recovery.

“When I was sitting on the table in the locker room after I came off the field on September 11, I immediately google searched ‘Kobe Bryant,'” he said via Sporting Nation.

Bryant experienced a torn Achilles in April 2013 and returned to the court just eight months later, in December. Rodgers, acknowledging Bryant’s ordeal, recognized a shared connection in their recoveries. Coincidentally, Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed surgery on both players, and A-Rod was enamored with his distinctive approach due to its quick but successful recovery.

“Kobe’s a favorite of probably most of ours, and I actually didn’t realize that Neal (ElAttrache) had done his surgery. So the next thing I did was text Neal and said ‘Hey, I’m going to come see you.'”

Choosing a surgery that diverted stress towards the heel to expedite rehabilitation, the QB defied conventional protocols. He commended the surgeon’s technique, which facilitated a faster initial recovery phase despite the daunting injury.

“Neal is a fantastic doctor, not just his incredible skill, but his bedside manner and the way he takes care of his patients and keeps in touch with them. He’s an incredible human being. He did a great surgery on me… He did a surgery that kind of allows the patient to get on their feet a little quicker because a lot of the stress and strain is actually put into the heel because of the type of surgery we did. So, I was up and moving quicker than usual.”

Although his 2023 season came to an untimely halt following the Achilles injury, Aaron Rodgers showcased his resilience throughout his rehabilitation by being activated earlier within the Jets squad despite his disinterest. However, his return had an impact on the team, as Nick Bawden initially lost his spot due to A-Rod’s activation, only to later rejoin the practice squad. Gang Green later parted ways with cornerback Kalon Barnes to facilitate Bawden’s spot.