Aaron Rodgers Hosting Jeopardy!: Recap & Highlights

Aaron Rodgers completed his guest-hosting gig for Jeopardy! after ten episodes.

The Packers’ star quarterback, a huge fan of the long-running game show, was thrilled to have this opportunity. “Other than the Super Bowl, this is the honor of a lifetime,” Rodgers said in a Twitter promo video. He expanded on that sentiment in an opening segment during his first week as host. “Being here is really personal for me. I truly am a Jeopardy! fan and the people who know and love me understand not to call me at 6 o’clock, because that’s when Jeopardy! airs in Green Bay.”

Rodgers is no stranger to the Jeopardy! stage. He participated in the celebrity version of the show in 2015, defeating astronaut Mark Kelly and Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary. His $50,000 in winnings were donated to the Macc Fund, which funds research for blood disorders and childhood cancer. Now, Rodgers can add Jeopardy! host to his long list of accomplishments.

Connections to the Packers

Much to the delight of Packers fans, several connections to the green-and-gold popped up throughout Rodgers’s two-week hosting stint. 

His first night at the lectern, the Final Jeopardy question referenced beloved television host ‘Mister Rogers’. Many viewers took this as an ode to the three-time MVP, as Green Bay is commonly called “Mr. Rodgers’s Neighborhood”. A single contestant gave the correct answer, but it was one of the wrong responses that hilariously stole the show. Returning champion Scott Shewfelt poked fun at Rodgers, writing slyly, “Who wanted to kick that field goal?” This alluded to head coach Matt LaFleur’s controversial decision during the NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers in January. The Packers lost after going for three points rather than trying for a touchdown with 2:09 left. “That is a good question. Should be correct, but unfortunately for this game today, that’s incorrect,” Rodgers replied good-naturedly.

In his second week as host, Rodgers recited a $400 clue every diehard Packers fan knew instantly. It read, “In the 1960s, these Midwesterners earned 5 NFL Championship Trophies.” Ironically, none of the three contestants even attempted to buzz in. Rodgers held his arms out in mock disappointment and drew a laugh from the crowd as he announced the answer. It was, of course, his own team of 16 years: the Green Bay Packers. A player then correctly answered the next question from the same “Title Waves” category about the Boston Celtics. “Oh, you know that one, huh?” Rodgers quipped sarcastically.

During one episode, there was even a contestant with a very slight, distant connection to Packers legend Vince Lombardi.

Giving Back

Perhaps the best thing to come of Rodgers’s time as guest host is the aid his California hometown will receive. Jeopardy! matched the winnings earned by the contestants during each of the episodes he hosted, a grand total of $236,725. It will be donated to the North Valley Community Fund based in Chico, helping small businesses affected by the pandemic. Rodgers previously worked with the NVCF to donate $1 million to keep small businesses in Butte County afloat. In a press release statement, Rodgers called them, “the heart and soul of a community.” 

He went on to say, “In the applications and the videos, it was heart-wrenching to hear about all the obstacles facing restaurants and retail establishments. So many of them are struggling just to stay in business but remain hopeful that there’s an end to this.”

Looking Ahead

At the end of his final episode, Rodgers thanked Jeopardy! viewers and staff for making him “feel so welcome”. He signed off by saying, “This has been a surreal experience, and so very special to me… In the words of the great Alex Trebek, so long.”

The question now becomes, will Rodgers take over hosting duties permanently? Jeopardy! will eventually name a new, full-time host to replace the late Alex Trebek, and Rodgers made his interest clear. “I would love to be host of Jeopardy!” he said in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

But don’t worry, Green and Gold Nation — if he gets the job, it doesn’t mean we’d have to bid farewell to #12. In a recent Q&A with The Ringer, Rodgers reminded us all to R-E-L-A-X. “I don’t think I’d need to give up football to do it. They film 46 days a year. I worked 187 this year in Green Bay. That gives me… 178 days to do Jeopardy! So I feel like I could fit 46 into that 178 and make it work.”

Whatever happens, Packers fans and Jeopardy! enthusiasts can agree that it’s been a pleasure watching Aaron live out this dream. Personally, I hope to see him on my TV screen a lot in the future — hosting Jeopardy! and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy!

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