An Open Letter to Aaron Rodgers: Run for United States Senate

Dear Mr. Rodgers ( I couldn’t resist),

I’m sure you watched the Superbowl and saw Tom Brady win his 7th championship ring. I can assure you that I don’t like it anymore than you do, though I will allow that your particular proximity regarding the matter is certainly more intimate than my own.

That said, there’s more to life than football, and I suspect you know that. Brady is going to be remembered as the Greatest (quarterback) Of All Time, but it seems unlikely he’ll be remembered as a great human being. Great human beings do more than excel at a sport.

Take Alan Page, for example. He played 15 years in the National Football League, eleven with the Minnesota Vikings and four with the Chicago Bears. He was the first defensive player in NFL history to win the league MVP. He went to four Superbowls with the Vikings and lost every one of them. I’m sure he was very disappointed. I know I was. I was born and raised in a small town in southeastern Minnesota and watched every one of those losses on TV. It was brutal.

But Page was undeterred. He got his Juris Doctor, served in the Minnesota Attorney Generals office for a few years, and then ran for state Supreme Court and won. He served in that position for 22 years. He’ll be remembered more for that than for playing football and that’s as it should be. He’s a great human being.

So, to my point.

You’ve had a great career with the Packers. You’re in an exclusive club: quarterbacks who’ve won Superbowls. You’ve been league MVP three times. Your numbers are stellar. But, like I mentioned above, there’s more to life than football.

Over the years you’ve demonstrated an affinity for progressive politics. You’re a smart guy. You care. At 37 years old you’re getting a little long in the tooth to play football. But you’re a kid when it comes to politics. You’re nearly a rookie. Think about it.

Ron Johnson is up for re-election in 2022. He’s a blight on the state of Wisconsin. He needs to go. You could defeat him with ease. You have the name recognition, the status, the gravitas, the money, the brains. It wouldn’t even be a contest. I’d pay more money to attend a debate between you and Ron Johnson than I would to watch you face off against Brady next year in the NFC championship game.

So please, give it some consideration. “Senator Rodgers”. It’s got a nice ring to it.

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9 thoughts on “An Open Letter to Aaron Rodgers: Run for United States Senate

  1. Being famous for being famous is about the best way to sum up any football player. There is nothing in Rodgers’ makeup that would lead anyone to suggest he has any more ideas about governing than Brett Favre. And we know the conservative politics that the latter has demonstrated over time. Why should we not assume Rodgers also harbors the same perspectives? We cheapen the whole notion of public service when suggesting all it takes is a well-known name to run for office. I suggest the past four years made that point abundantly clear as to why serious-minded people, with policy ideas, a desire to learn, and a background in governing is most important before submitting their name to voters. The school board in Green Bay has openings…lets start there for Rodgers and see what his views are on education, taxation, race relations, unions, and budgeting.

    1. There are links in the piece to Rodgers views on race relations and unions. And he recently got engaged to actress Shailene Woodley who was arrested protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, and who is a fierce and committed climate activist. I don’t think his politics are in question, nor is his intelligence. Barack Obama served seven years in the Illinois State Senate, four years in the US Senate, and then ran for president and won. I don’t remember anyone suggesting he start with school board.

  2. For that matter, Pete Buttigieg ran for president with little on his resume other than Mayor of South Bend Indiana. Now he’s the Secretary of Transportation. There are some precedents within the Democratic Party for jumping to the front of the line.

  3. And as long as I’m at it, Mary Burke had less than two years as a Madison school board member before the democrats ran her for Governor in 2014.

  4. I take your points. Obama served and learned governing in the state legislature, Mayor Pete learned about governing and infrastructure needs as a mayor, and Burke had governing experience from serving as a state cabinet secretary. All had some hands-on experience with some aspect of the mechanics of governing. Yes, they all started someplace….and while all sought higher office they did not strive for a top position before proving themselves. A six-year senate seat is a serious decision for voters. Perhaps Rodgers trying out for Jeopardy host (which will air at some point) will strike gold for him. Not trying to be snarky, just knowing we MUST win that seat. (Though I strongly believe Johnson will not run for senate again, but instead seeks Gov. office in 2024.)

  5. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez was a bartender before she was elected to Congress. I don’t think pro football player is disqualifying.

    1. I agree with Steve. Just because someone is inexperienced in politics doesn’t mean they’re not qualified to hold elected office. Aaron Rodgers has always struck me as being a very intelligent, thoughtful person and I’d argue we need more people like that in Washington D.C.

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