The truth is that Aaron Rodgers has never really been the Chicago Bears’ guy to love. After playing many seasons for the Green Bay Packers, his rivalries have become personal in the NFC North, and it is evident just how much the crowd disliked him. However, even now that he has moved on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers still appreciates all of those who expressed their dissatisfaction.
This is what makes his latest statements unusual. Instead of criticizing the crowd at the Bears for all the negative reactions they gave him, he actually admitted that he loved the environment there.
Aaron Rodgers Explains Why He Still Appreciates Chicago Bears Fans
“I love Chicago fans. I know they hate me, but I love Chicago fans. Even when I told them that I owned them, it was because everybody in the front row was flipping me off and screaming at me. But I love that. They are great sports fans, and the interactions were amazing. People were flipping me off in the stands. I love it.”
Aaron Rodgers shows love to Bears Fans: “I love Chicago fans. I know they hate me, but I love Chicago fans. Even when I told them that I owned them, it was because everybody in the front row was flipping me off and screaming at me. But I love that. They are great sports fans, and…— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh)
That attitude says plenty about how the QB viewed the rivalry during his years with the Packers. Chicago fans were never shy about letting him hear it, especially when Rodgers was having success against their team. Instead of taking the hostility personally, he appears to have treated it as part of the experience.
The infamous “I still own you” moment only added fuel to that rivalry. toward the Bears crowd after another Packers win, and the line quickly became one of the defining moments of his long run against the Bears.
The numbers explain why the relationship became so heated. his career against the Bears with a 25-5 record, including a postseason victory, while throwing for nearly 7,000 yards and 64 touchdowns in those matchups.
There is also an interesting twist now. Rodgers is no longer wearing Green Bay colors, while Chicago has moved forward with Caleb Williams as its franchise quarterback. Williams has already shown that he can separate rivalry emotions from football evaluation.
So while the Bears fans may never forgive Rodgers for the damage he did to their team, the quarterback himself seems to have a different view of the rivalry. He remembers the boos, the middle fingers and the yelling, rather than holding a grudge, Rodgers sees those reactions as proof that Bears fans cared, and after all those years of getting under their skin, he apparently wouldn’t want it any other way.
Related reading:
The post .
