Rodgers "Heartbroken" by Vegas Massacre
In the wake of the horrific events that transpired in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late hours of Sunday night, shockwaves have been sent across the country and across the world. It was the largest mass shooting in modern American history and one that should've never been inflicted upon over 22,000 concert-goers at the Route 91 country music festival.
With Stephen Paddock -- the terrorist responsible for the tragedy -- committing suicide before he could be detained for taking 59 lives and injuring over 527 innocent civilians as of Monday, his motives will never truly be understood. Psychotic? Perhaps. On some kind of prescription drug that made him "aggressive" according to one report on Wednesday? Who knows. Truthfully, that doesn't matter, now.
Not many, if anyone at all, can vouch for Paddock's actions. He's left a putrid mark on the history of the United States and caused significant discomfort to many, even often reserved NFL players who, as of 2017, don't seem very much reserved anymore.
That includes Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who woke up the following Monday morning at 6 a.m. to the news, like many others.
"It's scary. It's very scary," Rodgers said following Wednesday's practice. "You're just heartbroken for those people. I have some ties and connections to Vegas; I had some friends who were there at the venue. It's unthinkable that this would continue to happen in our country. You obviously send your prayers and thoughts to those people that were affected."
The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has been more outspoken as of late in the recent events of the inequality protests prior to many a game this season. A movement that was virtually launched by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the weekly pre-game performance of the national anthem in 2016.
Rodgers first took part in a display of unity before the week three game against the Cincinnati Bengals in which he locked arms with his teammates rather than stand with his right hand over his heart, much like the tradition essentially calls for. Three other Packers players sat on the bench. These actions came after President Donald Trump comments about the NFL's players, referring to those who "disrespect" the American flag as "son of a bitch," calling for their firing.
The violence that occurred Sunday, however, goes beyond all politics. It goes beyond any political stance and becomes more of plea for displaying compassion for those who lost loved ones in the shooting.
"Friend of mine lost their best friend of 20 years," Rodgers continued. "It's just something that unfortunately we still have to deal with. We have to make some changes as a society, hopefully quickly. There's too many situations like this where we send our thoughts and prayers to these victims and, unfortunately, keep having to stand up here and talk about it."
Rodgers didn't confirm whether or not the Packers will have a moment of silence or some other respectful gesture that will honor the fallen before Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. But, it's very likely teams across the league will show some kind of acknowledgment before kickoff.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (15)
flackcatcher
October 05, 2017 at 02:06 am
Good questions Zach. I have hope the players and owners will take this chance to reconnect to their fans, and remind everybody why we love football. Like Aaron Rodgers, the rest of us will be left with the question of why? All I know is evil never needs a reason, just a purpose. Well done Zach. Well done.
marpag1
October 05, 2017 at 03:41 am
Noted. Sort of.
I like football.
I am a concerned and involved American citizen.
What Aaron Rodgers - or any NFL player, or any actor, or any celebrity, or any sports writer etc - thinks about social issues doesn't really mean shit to me. Their opinions don't rate any higher or lower than your average internet troll, factory worker, college student, homeless guy, brain surgeon, coal miner, cashier, etc.
fthisJack
October 05, 2017 at 08:42 am
it means a lot to me because they have the media platform to get their message out. i love football and i love the message the players are sending. its our corrupt government's opinions that i have issue with.
Lphill
October 05, 2017 at 05:59 am
Like most others , you work all week , provide for your loved ones , deal with our own adversity within our lives and come Sunday we want to forget it and escape to the entertainment of football . I don't need to hear from millionaires what they are unhappy about . They need to shut up and play , that's what they are paid for , god bless all those affected by the events in Las Vegas .
Savage57
October 05, 2017 at 07:46 am
I struggle with the 'just shut up and play' dictum from fans. Guys have mic's shoved in their face daily asking them every question under the sun, and should they choose to deviate from describing what they saw when the safety blew his assignment on a national issue, I tend to give them a pass.
Has too much of a "bitch, where's my dinner?" feel to it.
Handsback
October 05, 2017 at 08:36 am
After a tragedy all the questions arise about how we can change the status quo in order for it not to happen. The issue is coming up with a common sense solution for a problem that's not common at all.
I had a friend who's son went to New Orleans into a bar with his friends. Ten minutes later his son is dead by a knife attack and they never found out who did it or why. Crowded bar....loud with everyone yelling and his son falls down in a pool of blood.
I lived in Baumholder Germany for three years. My father was military so we lived on base. He had command over the schools and MPs. I saw enough to learn to appreciate the jobs LEOs do in our society, and see how evil some people are.
The scary part is we can't stop all of these guys. They want to kill, they will try until they die. The Vegas shooter had rifles, handguns, illegal automatic rifles and chemicals that made napalm!
We watch entertainment events either live performances or recorded to get away from issues like a crazy guy going on a killing spree.
These events have an affect on everyone. That's why we have the desire to fix them.
This bring to the surface how trite the issues of players making a statement during the anthem are compared to keeping our World safe to enjoy the freedom of either watching or not watching a game in peace.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 05, 2017 at 09:13 am
What AR said sounded good, but I have no idea what he meant, and in truth, I don't care about his opinion on social issues. He is free to speak his mind, of course.
dobber
October 05, 2017 at 10:35 am
Was there an article about #12 being heartbroken after breaking up with Olivia?
Gman1976
October 05, 2017 at 09:53 am
How would AR feel during the moment of silence for those who lost their lives in Las Vegas if some of his fellow players wanted to protest or stretch or raise a fist? It's how we feel about those who desecrate our flag, desecrate our national anthem, desecrate our hard fought freedoms, & desecrate the sacrifices of our heroes. This is a sad angry time we live in, but there are ways to grieve and protest without disrespecting others.
NMPF
October 05, 2017 at 09:57 am
I'm confused by the we are united/protest in general. They are all locking arms in a united player protest? Does this not convey the message they are united w/Cam and his sexist comments? With Elliot a suspected girlfriend abuser? You can't have it both ways without looking like total hypocrites.
daveinTX
October 05, 2017 at 10:46 am
I think the locking of arms was an appropriate compromise between respecting each other’s feelings and showing respect to what all our flag represents. A few were struggling to reach for their hearts. I thought the team that stood with one hand on the next players shoulder and the other on their hearts was a better idea.
Myself, I stand at attention whenever the anthem is shown before a game. It doesn’t matter if I am home alone, at a game (Lambeau), or at our local Packers bar (Shooters). I rarely put my hand over my heart; however, I almost always salute at the end. I do not know if that is politically correct. And I do not care. It is my tribute to the fallen.
Finwiz
October 05, 2017 at 04:44 pm
Not supposed to salute unless you are active, or ex-military.
Not appropriate.
jww061356
October 05, 2017 at 01:07 pm
I think AR was expressing his feelings and opinion. I don't have a problem with that or with people peacefully protesting social injustice. I draw the line when celebrities start lecturing us on how we should think or feel. I don't want them to use their platform for that. Let's remember this is entertainment, not "Face the Nation." That being said, I agree with the sentiment that it is fine to express their opinion on social issues if asked. The alternative is a string of "no Comments," which is going to make the masses any happier than expressing an opinion.
Lphill
October 05, 2017 at 04:20 pm
Stand for the flag kneel for the fallen , very simple . Jerry jones was the only owner who said anyone collecting a pay check from me who does not stand for the national anthem will no longer work for me , although the cowboys knelt prior to the anthem , they stood when it was playing. Good example of hypocrisy, PAC man jones shot and paralyzed someone but yet he is free earning a big paycheck but he will sit for the anthem because he feels discriminated against . Please explain that to me.
Helen80
October 06, 2017 at 04:45 am
I think Rodgers is a good man. He seems very honest to me.