Aaron: Gruden’s views not norm
“HOPEFULLY, WE CAN ALL AS A LEAGUE LEARN AND GROW FROM THIS. HOPEFULLY, IT PUTS PEOPLE ON NOTICE WHO HAVE SOME OF THOSE SAME OPINIONS. LIKE, ‘HEY, MAN, IT’S TIME TO GROW AND EVOLVE AND CHANGE AND CONNECT. THAT [EXPLETIVE] DOESN’T FLY.’ ’’
AARON RODGERS, Packers quarterback
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn’t believe the mindset expressed by former Raiders coach Jon Gruden in a series of emails that forced him to resign is prevalent throughout the NFL.
“I know that there’s opinions similar to that, but I feel they’re few and far between,” Rodgers said Tuesday on ‘‘The Pat McAfee Show.’’ “The player and the coach of today is a more empathetic, advanced, progressive, loving, connected type of person. I’m proud of the kind of locker room we have.”
While some people who have worked closely with Gruden have defended his character and urged forgiveness, Rodgers agreed that Gruden needed to step down.
“We need to allow people to grow and change, but those opinions don’t have a place in the game,” the three-time MVP said.
“It was surprising to see that the thing went so quickly, but I think that was probably the best decision for all parties involved. Hopefully, we can all as a league learn and grow from this. Hopefully, it puts people on notice who have some of those same opinions. Like, ‘Hey, man, it’s time to grow and evolve and change and connect. That [expletive] doesn’t fly.’ ’’
Rodgers said he feels most current NFL players and coaches have a much more open-minded point of view.
“I feel like in the locker room, it’s a closeknit group of guys,’’ he said. ‘‘We don’t treat people differently based on the way they talk, where they’re from, what they’re into, what they look like. I’m proud of that.’