Rodgers warns he’s no people pleaser
Aaron Rodgers is in the honeymoon phase with New York — but his priority isn’t about being liked.
Rodgers has been at his most affable in his early days as the Jets’ quarterback — hitting up Knicks and Rangers playoff games, while saying all the right things in his press conferences.
But in an interview with Adam Schein on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio, Rodgers assured that earning respect is his endgame.
“People that have seen me on ‘The [Pat] McAfee Show’ can see what I am all about,” Rodgers said. “There’s not a whole lot that’s held back, and I shoot from the hip. Some people like it, some people don’t. Not everybody is into plant medicine; not everybody is into reading books; not everybody likes it that I say the occasional metaphor, but that’s fine.
“I care more about being respected, especially by my teammates, than liked. Every great leader, that needs to be the focus. If you are worried about being liked over being respected then you are never going to stand for anything and you are not going to get respected . ... More people will like you and appreciate you because we have those boundaries with the things you truly, truly believe in and [are] willing to stand up for them.”
Rodgers has used McAfee’s show to expound on all sorts of topics, everything from COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies to announcing his intention to play for the Jets.
It has made his in-season weekly spots appointment watching for NFL followers and has made Rodgers a more controversial figure.
“What am I willing to stand up for? My personal freedoms and rights and my belief system. If you like it great and if you don’t, that’s fine too,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers also advised anyone concerned about the calf strain he suffered during Tuesday’s OTAs to “relax” with the season still four months away.