Going into the Packers-Browns match-up, Aaron Rodgers was widely thought to be one of Green Bay’s greatest-ever players. After today, even more fans and pundits are making the argument that he’s the best to ever wear the Green-and-Gold.
That’s because Rodgers is officially the new holder of a very prestigious Packers record. He has surpassed fellow legendary GB quarterback, Brett Favre, for most franchise passing touchdowns.
During last week’s 31-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Rodgers threw three TDs to tie Favre at 442. However, it didn’t take him long to squeeze past his predecessor. He broke the record the following week, in the first quarter against Cleveland on Christmas Day.
The historic play was made between Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard on an 11-yard catch-and-run.
Rodgers ran off the field grinning with the prized ball in his hands. All his teammates and coaches gave him high-fives and congratulatory hugs on his way to the sideline. There, Rodgers and everyone at Lambeau watched Favre deliver a special message on the Jumbotron.
“Congratulations, man, on passing my touchdown record,” #4 said to #12. “I have one request: go get us another Super Bowl.”
Rodgers and the Record
Years ago, during the early stages of Rodgers’ career in Green Bay, reaching this milestone seemed nearly impossible to him. “I remember looking at the number of touchdowns that [Brett Favre] had and thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’m not even at 100 yet. How could I ever play long enough to be in this same category as that?'”
It took Brett Favre 255 games with the Packers to hit 442 touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers threw 443 in just 211 match-ups to ultimately transcend him.
While these two QBs are fairly comparable in regards to TDs, the same cannot be said about INTs. Favre was picked off 286 times throughout his time in Green Bay, but Rodgers has thrown only 93 interceptions thus far.
Favre to Rodgers: “Enjoy it”
Rodgers continues to credit learning behind Favre as being instrumental in helping him become the player he is today.
Reminiscing about their time together as QB1 and QB2, Rodgers remembers thinking, “I’m in a room for the first time in my life with a guy who’s better than me. He throws it better. His mastery of the system is better. Instincts are better. Pocket presence is better. And that was great for me because I really got to see exactly what I needed to work on in order to become great, because my dreams and my aspirations and my drive was to be great.”
As for Favre, he doesn’t expect his successor to slow down anytime soon. He gave Rodgers high praise during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio the day after the Baltimore victory. “Aaron’s going to shatter every record out there if he continues to play… [He’s] just a prolific playmaker. Probably the best playmaker that I think we’ve ever seen.”
The two star QBs reportedly exchanged text messages following the record-tying Ravens game. Rodgers revealed one piece of advice Favre offered him: “Enjoy it, because it goes by so fast and the next thing you know, it’s over.”
Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers on reaching such a historic Packers milestone! Needless to say, this is sure to be a Christmas that #12 will never forget!
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