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This is written by a sports anchor from Fox 6 in Milwaukee .
It doesn't get any better than this.
"Save Me a Spot"
This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the
FOX 6 Sports team means I've been able to witness and report on events
and people that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these
situations for granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in
whatever capacity each permits.
Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled privilege to
be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund, a charity
towards eradicating childhood cancer and blood disorders.
Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados, were the people
who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've been forced
to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a child.
Those who sprung for the tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many
athletes regurgitate canned and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback
was refreshingly candid. Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth,
honest reaction - even some that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows.
Aaron stressed the importance of availability and accountability. In his opinion,
it is a player's responsibility to attend all of the team activities as they are all intended
to better the team as a whole. And then, similarly, he addressed the importance
of taking the heat/criticism when one falls short of expectations and duties.
He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is supremely confident in the
preparation he's put in during the week leading up to Sunday's match up.
The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his self-confidence
was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest realizations was that
that combination of players would never take the field together again.
He likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and does
occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and civility.
He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his mom
used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child. Aaron's
record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but also a contingency
plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben Harper's 'Forever' and he's
envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation.
He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but gave the audience a thumbs-down when I
mentioned fellow country crooner Kenny Chesney.
His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it every day not just
when life's challenges and struggles surface.
His favorite movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack
for but says he and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film
and it is simply a great story.
Rodgers' answers to questions on this night were certainly admirable. And
I honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more. But I was wrong.
My friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night. He was
one of several attendees brought up on stage where he caught a football thrown
by the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
He asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if
he'd make it out to his daughter. It isn't shocking that Rodgers
obliged. What caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't
until after Aaron left that I first saw the autograph... and the simple
yet sweet message that brought tears to this father's eyes:
"To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron Rodgers"
I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an
upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I
hope they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and
acknowledge the maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand
behind the kid and respect him not only for his incredible talent but
for his intelligence and honesty, poise and compassion.
My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron Rodgers play football
for the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the opportunity to
see the other side of this impressive young man. And pass on some of
what I witnessed to you.
It doesn't get any better than this.
"Save Me a Spot"
This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the
FOX 6 Sports team means I've been able to witness and report on events
and people that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these
situations for granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in
whatever capacity each permits.
Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled privilege to
be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund, a charity
towards eradicating childhood cancer and blood disorders.
Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados, were the people
who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've been forced
to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a child.
Those who sprung for the tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many
athletes regurgitate canned and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback
was refreshingly candid. Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth,
honest reaction - even some that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows.
Aaron stressed the importance of availability and accountability. In his opinion,
it is a player's responsibility to attend all of the team activities as they are all intended
to better the team as a whole. And then, similarly, he addressed the importance
of taking the heat/criticism when one falls short of expectations and duties.
He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is supremely confident in the
preparation he's put in during the week leading up to Sunday's match up.
The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his self-confidence
was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest realizations was that
that combination of players would never take the field together again.
He likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and does
occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and civility.
He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his mom
used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child. Aaron's
record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but also a contingency
plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben Harper's 'Forever' and he's
envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation.
He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but gave the audience a thumbs-down when I
mentioned fellow country crooner Kenny Chesney.
His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it every day not just
when life's challenges and struggles surface.
His favorite movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack
for but says he and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film
and it is simply a great story.
Rodgers' answers to questions on this night were certainly admirable. And
I honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more. But I was wrong.
My friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night. He was
one of several attendees brought up on stage where he caught a football thrown
by the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
He asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if
he'd make it out to his daughter. It isn't shocking that Rodgers
obliged. What caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't
until after Aaron left that I first saw the autograph... and the simple
yet sweet message that brought tears to this father's eyes:
"To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron Rodgers"
I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an
upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I
hope they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and
acknowledge the maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand
behind the kid and respect him not only for his incredible talent but
for his intelligence and honesty, poise and compassion.
My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron Rodgers play football
for the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the opportunity to
see the other side of this impressive young man. And pass on some of
what I witnessed to you.