In his first interview since enduring a season-ending Achilles tendon injury, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed optimism that he may be able to make a return to the field this season, claiming that nothing is impossible. Rodgers, 39, suffered the calamitous blow on the fourth play of the Jets’ first offensive drive of the season and underwent surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles, Calif.
Rodgers is unable to put any weight on the leg at the moment and is relying on crutches, but is looking into different treatment methods to hasten a return as quickly as possible. Despite being injured, he confirmed that he will continue to appear on The Pat McAfee Show for a weekly guest spot on Tuesday afternoons, something he has done for the last four seasons.
ESPN television and radio host Mike Greenberg is an avid Jets fan and was watching the game with network colleagues when Rodgers exited with the injury. Throughout the week, he has been coping with the news and expressing his opinions on both Get Up and #Greeny. In fact, shortly after Rodgers went down, he spoke with McAfee about what the injury could possibly be as he tried to gather himself and focus on the game.
McAfee’s program was streaming on YouTube for its final hour and the host decided to call Greenberg on a live video chat. Greenberg answered the call as he was walking down the street and tried to find a quiet spot to speak on the program. After informing him that the show was live, he expressed his thoughts on what Rodgers had said in the recent interview.
“When Aaron Rodgers intimated that he might come back this year, I just about lost it,” Greenberg said. “I literally just about lost it, and that’s why I texted you what I texted you. I have no idea if that is earthly possible, but if he did; if he could somehow, it would be the most incredible thing that has ever happened, genuinely, maybe in the history of the NFL.”
McAfee then asked Greenberg to expound on what he texted him, knowing that it contained expletives. Greenberg refrains from using profanity on the air, but decided to do so in this instance to express his true feelings towards the situation. Before this instance, Greenberg had never cursed while on a program in his entire career. It is unknown whether or not Greenberg knew that the show was in its final hour and off of ESPN for the day.
“What the hell if there’s a chance he’s going to come back,” Greenberg said. “I texted you, ‘Let’s f*****g go!’”
McAfee, the cast of his show and the crowd watching from afar erupted in cheers in hearing Greenberg react to what had been insinuated by Rodgers. Greenberg had previously promised the host that he would say the F-word in April if Rodgers retired or played on another team than the Jets. Shortly thereafter, the eponymous show host and former NFL punter explained what had just happened to the viewers.
“Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Rogers just said the F-word,” McAfee said, referencing the popular children’s television show. “That is what just happened right there.”
